Apprentice challenge - Master Electricians

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

Apprentice challenge 2024