Competenz

Congratulations this week's $200 The ToolShed voucher winner, McKenzie Amodeo, HVAC-R apprentice at Excel Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Ltd in Auckland. 🏆

McKenzie was really proud to nominate his coach Lee Raison, saying he combines top-tier technical HVAC expertise with extraordinary heart and leadership. As a mentor in the business, Lee has trained and shaped countless apprentices into skilled, confident technicians. What really sets Lee apart as a leader is his complete dedication to his team. He genuinely cares about the professional and personal growth of everyone he teaches. With a warm sense of humour and unmatched knowledge, he is the absolute definition of what a trusted mentor and a great coach should be!

Thank you McKenzie for your honest and passionate entry. We’ve sent you a $200 Toolshed voucher, and you have put Lee in the running to be our 2026 Most Valuable Coach. 👏

Have you got a coach or mentor you admire? Click the link below to enter them into the 2026 MVC! There are loads of amazing rewards for the top coaches this year.
https://www.competenz.org.nz/mvc

‼️Job Alert: Wood Machine Apprentice-Canterbury

We have an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys hands on learning, through on-the-job training in a machine shop role.
The employer is a manufacturer of timber who has been in the industry for over 80 years.

About you:
▪️You are a good listener and a fast learner, who has excellent decision-making abilities.
▪️Reliable, with personal discipline and the ability to manage your time efficiently, while maintaining work-life balance.
▪️Great teamwork skills and are cooperative and respectful of both managers and coworkers.
▪️A willingness and desire to work hard and progress in your learning and work.

What’s in it for you?
✔ Earn while you learn
✔ Structured training and career progression
✔ Work alongside an experienced mentor to gain experience and skills towards your qualification
✔ Join a well-established organisation with a welcoming and inclusive culture

🕗 Full-time role- 6am start

🔗 Click the link below to learn more and apply today.
https://www.competenz.org.nz/job-listings

When businesses invest in apprentices, the whole team benefits, stronger skills, better retention, and a workforce built for the future.

Read more below:
https://www.competenz.org.nz/news/the-difference-great-employer-make

A $200 Toolshed voucher on us for an outstanding MVC nomination! 🏆
Congratulations to this week’s winner, Dylan Hart-Scott, HVAC&R apprentice at Below Zero Refrigeration in Wellington.

Dylan nominated his coach Justin Smith for the help and guidance he gives, relentlessly. Justin's responses, no matter what time of the day and however Dylan asks (memes included!) provide the assurance and trust needed to navigate his learning. As a mentor, Justin is like a father-figure in Dylan’s life, who he’d be stuck without. That’s testament to the incredibly positive and powerful impact great team members and coaches can have on a learner’s development.

Thank you Dylan, for your honest and passionate entry. We’ve sent you a $200 Toolshed voucher, and you have put Justin in the running to be our 2026 Most Valuable Coach. 👏

Have you got a coach or mentor you admire? Click the link below to enter them into the 2026 MVC! There are loads of amazing rewards for the top coaches this year.
https://www.competenz.org.nz/mvc

At 51, most people assume Cory Welch is the boss. He's actually a fourth-year apprentice.

After 25 years driving trucks, a broken arm changed everything. Cory walked into a Pahiatua refrigeration business and asked for a trial. Three years on, he's weeks away from qualifying with Excel Refrigeration & Air Conditioning.

"You've just got to go and grab it. If you've got an opportunity, have a crack."

It's never too late to learn a trade.

🎧 Want to hear directly from Cory? There's also a link to his RNZ interview at the bottom of the article. His segment starts at 17:25.

Read Cory's story below:
https://www.competenz.org.nz/news/its-never-too-late-to-learn-a-trade---just-ask-51-year-old-apprentice-cory-welch

What an incredible result for Team Kiwi at the 48th WorldSkills New Zealand Competition in Shanghai!

We're proud to celebrate Campbell Brown, a Competenz Apprentice with McAlpine Hussmann Limited, who has been awarded a Medal of Excellence in Refrigeration & Air Conditioning, finishing 9th in the world in his trade.

Alongside Campbell, Jack Elvy, an Air New Zealand Aircraft Engineer Trainee, also earned a Medal of Excellence after finishing 7th in Aircraft Maintenance.

With 1,240 competitors from 65 countries competing across a wide range of skill categories, these results are a testament to the world-class talent being developed in New Zealand trades.

Campbell's journey started with an apprenticeship and a passion for solving problems. Today he's standing among the best young refrigeration technicians in the world.

Congratulations Campbell and Jack. You've done New Zealand proud!

🎉 Huge congratulations to Ryan Watts from Northpine Ltd, winner of the Trainee of the Year Award at the recent Northland Wood Council Forestry Awards.

Ryan was awarded due to his commitment to learning, growth, and excellence, which has seen him develop into a highly skilled maintenance engineer with a reputation for hard work, positivity, and a willingness to take on any challenge.
Throughout his training journey, he has impressed colleagues and supervisors alike with his strong work ethic, problem-solving ability, and dedication to continuous improvement.

Congratulations Ryan on this well-deserved recognition. 👏

When we first shared Connor Crowe's story, he'd already shown that completing an apprenticeship with IFP Group was just the beginning of his learning journey.

Since then, Connor has continued to invest in his professional development, completing leadership training and most recently signing into Mechanical Engineering (Level 3).

Connor's commitment to building his skills highlights the value of lifelong learning and the impact it can have on both personal and professional growth. It's also a testament to employers like IFP Group, who support their people to keep developing beyond their initial qualifications.

We're incredibly proud of his commitment to ongoing learning and development. Connor's journey is a great reminder that training isn't just about gaining a qualification, it's about continuously growing, challenging yourself and creating new opportunities for the future.

Congratulations, Connor, on this next step. We look forward to seeing where your journey takes you next.

Read Connor's full story in the article below.
https://www.competenz.org.nz/news/for-connor-crowe-an-apprenticeship-is-a-milestone-not-a-finish-line

Congratulations to the winner of this weeks $200 Toolshed voucher for an outstanding MVC nomination, Rhys Black! 🏆

Rhys nominated his coach Jason Brooks, speaking so highly about the positive impact the close-knit team culture that Jason creates has on the crew. Rhys admires Jason's environmentally conscious work ethic, saying it’s refreshing to see someone who isn't solely focused on production targets, but makes a huge effort to teach the best approach and ways of optimising forest value recovery for the forest owners.

Well done Rhys on your passionate entry, you have a $200 Toolshed voucher heading your way and have put Jason in the running to be our 2026 Most Valuable Coach. 👏

Have you got a coach or mentor you admire?
Click the link below to enter them into 2026 MVC and be in to win lots of amazing prizes.
https://www.competenz.org.nz/mvc