Hastings carpentry apprentice Lee Holloway is quietly proud to have headed off 11 other regional finalists to win the Certified Builders’ Apprentice of the Year.

After winning the Hawke’s Bay ITAB’s Apprentice of the Year, Lee was flown to Christchurch to represent the region in the national event, held as part of the Certified Builders Association’s annual conference.

The competition was very close, says EIT’s carpentry apprenticeship programme coordinator Shane Sigglekow. The range of tasks undertaken over a “full-on weekend” included introducing conference speakers and taking part in panel interviews.

Lee, who works for Simkin Construction, didn’t expect the win.

“My goal was to make the top three,” he says. “When they announced the third and second place-getters, your chances look extremely low. And then my name popped up. I was taken aback really, I was proud and shocked.”

It is the second time an EIT carpentry apprentice has taken out the national title, with Paul McDowall claiming top spot in 2011.

“For a small region,” says Shane, “we consistently achieve great results nationally and our EIT carpentry programmes are recognised as among the best performing in the country.”

Lee isn’t new to competition. Now in the final months of his apprenticeship, he first won the regional final two years ago. He entered again last year without success but persevered, giving it another try this year.

“I thought why not, you’ve got to enter while you can.”

The 32-year-old has always been interested in building. His grandfather and his parents role-modelled with their interest in DIY and, Lee says of his long-time commitment to projects, “I’m a kiwi, so it’s born into you.”

A major undertaking was the renovation of the family home in Akina, which now comfortably accommodates wife Gemma and the couple’s three children.
Lee started his training with the Level 3 Certificate in Carpentry and was then offered the opportunity to progress onto EIT’s National Certificate in Carpentry (Level 4) with the apprenticeship at Simkin Construction.

He loves his job, rating it the best he’s ever had.

“I feel they have supported me,” he says of the construction company, “so I’ll be staying on when I finish my apprenticeship. I still have a lot to learn. There is a lot of knowledge to hand down from the older guys.

“Once you sign off on your studies it doesn’t mean you know everything.”

Lee’s national title comes with an Outward Bound package, clothing and tools. His trophy, which he will hold for the coming year, features building tools sculpted in a variety of timbers.