Grace Watson and Zac Douglas are taking part in the regional heat of New Zealand Certified Builders Apprentice Challenge in Ashburton on Saturday.
Grace, 22, is in her third year of her apprenticeship and works at Peter Taylor Builders, while Zac, 18, in his first year, is with Rive Construction.
The pair will be up against Jason Fryer, Jayden Marshall and Aidan Sorenson for the Mid-South Canterbury regional heat.
It is a full day event to show off their carpentry skills.
Apprentices have the task of making a community planter box from specific design plans, to meet safety standards and using materials supplied.
It will be held in the Mitre 10 trade distribution centre, 14 McNally St, Ashburton from 8am until tools down at 4.30pm.
Grace said she was keen to do outdoor work and decided to pursue a building apprenticeship after working in various trade-based shops ranging from a tyre shop to a mechanics.
She had already completed a level 5 certification in early childhood education after finishing at Ashburton College but realised it was not the right fit for her.
She was hopeful of completing her apprenticeship by the end of the year and said the building industry was an exciting industry to be involved in.
‘‘I love it, more than I thought I would,’’ she said.
‘‘It wasn’t a job I went into thinking I would enjoy, but I’d worked in lots of jobs where there was no qualification behind me and I didn’t like that. So I went into this thinking that at least I have got something, but I am loving it.’’
Grace said she had not carried out any specific training ahead of this weekend’s challenge but given the variety of on-the-job work under her belt was unfazed. It had ranged from big builds, alterations and new builds.
‘‘I guess growing up as a farm kid you kind of have a practical mind, which plays to my advantage,” she said.
“I was always helping dad on the farm.”
Zac discovered his interest in carpentry during his time at Ashburton College.
He took woodwork classes and completed a pre-trades course at school.
He realised he wanted to pursue this as a career and was excited to challenge himself and develop new skills.
‘‘It’s good, I’m enjoying it so far,’’ he said of the apprenticeship he started late last year.
‘‘I’m learning a few things – challenging myself, so that’s good.’’
Zac said ahead of the competition, he had looked into the details and spoken to some of his peers about the event.
‘‘I’ve looked into it a wee bit, talked to some of the boys that have done it before, but that’s about it,’’ he said.
He was keen to give it a go.
‘‘I might as well have a go, test myself,’’ he said.
‘‘I’ve done a bit of woodwork at school, so I feel like my skills should not be too bad at it.’’
‘‘It’s not (about) pace. As long as you do it in the timeframe, it should be fine.’’
NZCB Mid Canterbury president Jonny Rive said members of the public were welcome to come along and support the competitors who were all vying for a place in the national final in Hamilton on June 6 and 7.
‘‘There are some quality local apprentices competing this year. I’m excited to see how they get on,’’ he said.
‘‘The young guns always put on a show and their employers and colleagues turn out in force to support them.
‘‘It makes for a great atmosphere.’’
