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Apprentice challenge 2024
The Master Electricians Apprentice Challenge is an annual competition held across New Zealand to find New Zealand’s BEST electrical apprentice!
Our 2024 Finalists
After visiting 12 locations and traveling the length of New Zealand, the 2024 Master Electricians Apprentice Challenge, in association with Etco, has once again broken records with over 340 apprentices registered. A huge thank you to all the apprentices for stepping up to the challenge and to their employers for providing the opportunity.
The competition this year was tough, but only the top 5 from both the Domestic/Commercial and Industrial categories have earned the chance to compete in the national finals. These will be held at the Pullman Hotel over two intense days, from October 24-25.
Congratulations to our 2024 Master Electricians Apprentice Challenge finalists:
Domestic/Commercial
- Adam Thompson – Aotea Electric Auckland, training with Etco (Auckland)
- Chris Read – Dalton Electrical, training with Etco (Auckland)
- Zak Lyttle – Aotea Electric Nelson Ltd, training with Etco (Tasman/Marlborough)
- Maxwell Holmes – Elite Cabling Systems Ltd, training with Etco (Wellington)
- Andy Cowan – Aotea Electric Canterbury (Canterbury/Westland)
Industrial
- Kent Marshall – Switchbuild Ltd (Otago)
- Hugo Carey – Nairn Electrical Ltd, training with Etco (Canterbury/Westland)
- Corbin Acraman – Buzz Electrics, training with Etco (Hawkes Bay/Gisborne)
- Samuel DuFresne – Etco employed apprentice, hosted by Dalton Electrical (Auckland)
- Jacob Goodall – Proton Electric/ETCO (Hawkes Bay/Gisborne)
Good luck to all finalists as they prepare for the finals 24-25 October at the Pullman Hotel.
Tickets are now on sale for the Master Electricians Apprentice Challenge Gala in association with Etco, Gala Awards evening, hosted alongside the Master Electricians Excellence Awards. Join us for the electrical industry’s event of the year, celebrating outstanding achievements and excellence.
How it works
Apprentices throughout the country will compete in two divisions, vying for the esteemed titles of:
New Zealand’s Top Electrical Apprentice – Industrial Section
New Zealand’s Top Electrical Apprentice – Commercial & Domestic Section
There is also a third title – the Initiative Award – which is based on how the finalists present themselves, their initiative towards Health and Safety, and how they conduct themselves within a competition setting.
Preliminary regional rounds will be held in cities around New Zealand, with the finals being held in Auckland on in late October.
This is definitely not a daunting exercise – all competitors get a head start!
Prior to the competition each competitor will be given a guideline of what they will be tested on. This is so they are aware of what is expected of them – we want this to be an educational experience for them, as well as a competition. In some cases, this gives apprentices the chance to try a skill that they have not yet had a chance to, and with the guidance of their employer they will be able to expand their knowledge pool.
The top competitors from each preliminary event will go home with some awesome prizes. There is also a ton of spot prizes.
Who goes to the finals?
The top 5 national competitors from each division (Domestic/Commercial and Industrial) will get to go to the finals for an all-expenses paid trip to battle it out for the title of Master Electricians Apprentice Challenge winner.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible to enter, participants must be in a current training agreement. If an apprentice who enters qualifies before 25 October 2024 they are able to compete in the regionals but will not be eligible to participate in the finals.
Any queries should be directed to challenge@masterelectricians.org.nz
Domestic/Commercial Previous Winners
2023 – Jack Norris
2022 – Thomas Mitchell
2021 – Matthew Ven der Wel
2019 – Zachary Fitzgerald-Geddes
2018 – Lindsay Froggatt
2017 – Harmony Court
2016 – Chabb Chia
2015 – Joseph Morris
2014 – Cameron Shailer
2013 – Vaughan Marshall
2012 – Alex Tyson
2011 – Logan Hanifin
2010 – Dwight Grayburn
2009 – Darryl Ferencz
2008 – Kyle Huggard
2007 – Blair Vercoe
2006 – Steve Letts
2005 – Daniel Woolaston
2004 – Simon Wellum
2003 – Todd Needham
2002 – Anthony Park
Industrial Previous Winners
2023 – Chris Read
2022 – Mathew Masters
2021 – Sam Riordan
2019 – Tyrone Croukamp
2018 – Daniel Tait
2017 – Nick Johnson
2016 – Logan Sanders
2015 – Rahul Babu
2014 – Rob Stockley
2013 – Jonathan McFall
2012 – Rowan Cann
2011 – Paul Cook
2010 – Daniel Berry
2009 – Cole Jackson
2008 – Mark Adams
2007 – Alister Garrett-Tuck
2006 – Fletcher Campbell
2005 – Leon Moir
2004 – Leon Moir
2003 – Nathan Howe
2002 – Matthew Slater