Livestream - the Excellence & Apprentice Challenge Awards on Friday 6pm
Congratulations on making the finals at this year’s Master Electricians Apprentice Challenge 2024!
Whatever the outcome at the end of the final’s competition, you should be exceptionally proud of yourself for achieving top 5 in your category in the country!
Below is information that you need to know.
The finals are being held in Auckland on 24-25 October 2024, you’ll be required to be in Auckland between 23 October 2024 – 26 October 2024.
Throughout the two days you will compete in five 2-hour modules, they are designed to test your abilities in areas of the trade including problem solving, following instructions and practical exercises.
How to Prepare
Industrial
To help prepare for the finals, it is recommended to research and prepare for:
- Health, Safety, Environmental and Quality performance, consider Safe Work Procedures and Personal Protective Equipment
- Inspection and verification of installations to AS/NZ 3019:2007 Section 5, and AS/NZS 3000:2007 Section 8
- Safe work practices including LOTO & Prove Test Prove procedures.
- Reading and understanding of electrical drawings is important.
- Conduit / Cable ladder / Cable Tray / Unistrut – cable support system builds and cable installation (Power and instrument cables).
- Familiar with the installation and wiring of Siemens S7-1200 PLC and HMI using Siemens TIA Basic Software, and Siemens G120C variable Speed Drives.
- TIA software can be used free of charge and used for 21 days without a license at no cost. Here is the download link: https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/ww/en/view/109807109
- There is a great YouTube channel on TIA which is very simple and pretty much covers everything they need. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtGimRyb0S0ivKG6RsDWTtPSyOZ_iqS3b
- NHP switch gear including:
- MEN systems
- Surge Protection Device (SPD) with Safe Ground feature
- Emergency Lighting (EL) Test Unit.
- Smart Relay Run-On Timer Micro810
- NHP RCBOs
- VSD / Safety including e/Stop relay and Allen Bradley PowerFlex 525 VSD with Safe Torque Off (STO) – Wire, configure & test run.
- Industrial installation power and lighting cable selections
Domestic/Commercial
To help prepare for the finals, it is recommended to research and prepare for:
- Health, Safety, Environmental and Quality performance, consider Safe Work Procedures and Personal Protective Equipment
- Inspection and verification of installations to AS/NZ 3019:2007 Section 5, and AS/NZS 3000:2007 Section 8
- Safe work practices including LOTO & Prove Test Prove procedures.
- Reading and understanding of electrical drawings is important
- Familiarising yourself with builder’s temporary supply mains installations and distribution
- Understanding underground jointing of aluminium and copper conductors as well as insulation and protection methods
- Emergency/exit lighting installation and switching.
- Conduit bending, mini-trunking, and catenary wire installations.
- Cable ladder / Cable Tray / Unistrut – cable support system builds and cable installation (Power and Data cables).
- Domestic/Commercial installation power and lighting cable selections
- Familiar with the installation and wiring of Siemens logo basic installation, and control of extra low voltage LED strip lighting
Schedule
Each competitor must provide the following tools for their own use during the challenge. Basic hand tools including: a multimeter, screwdrivers, pliers, measuring equipment, sockets/spanners, and anything you wish to use for general terminations.
It is recommended to bring your own Insulation Resistance Tester, however there are limited testers available on the day. All specialist tools that are required to complete tasks will be provided.
Wednesday 23 October
10.30am All apprentices arrive at the Pullman Hotel
10.45am We will take you shopping for a suit & tie for the final’s dinner.
1.00pm Lunch
2.15pm Depart for afternoon activity
5.00pm Return to Pullman hotel – check in
6.00pm Dinner (no partners)
Thursday 24 October
7.00am Breakfast
8:00am Day One of Master Electricians Apprentice Challenge commences (Judges briefing)
8:30am Round 1 Challenge Commences
10:30am Break for judges marking and to reset modules (morning tea)
11:15am Round 2 Challenge resumes
1:15pm Break for judges marking and to reset modules (lunch)
2:15pm Round 3 Challenge resumes
4:15pm Break for judges marking and to reset modules
4.30pm Day one of the competition complete
5.15pm Apprentices and Judges depart for evening activity and dinner (partners welcome at their own cost – please confirm if they would like to be included)
Friday 25 August
7.00am Breakfast
8:00am Day Two of Master Electricians Apprentice Challenge commences (Judges briefing)
8:30am Round 4 Challenge Commences
10:30am Break for judges marking and to reset modules (morning tea)
11:15am Round 5 Challenge resumes
1:15pm Break for judges marking (lunch)
1:45pm Break down modules – pack away
2:30pm Challenge Completed – Free Time
5.00pm Meet in pre-function space for photos
5.30pm Guests will start to arrive for the Awards dinner, in conjunction with the Master Electricians Excellence Awards
Saturday 26 August
Apprentices return home unless otherwise advised.
Accommodation & Travel
- All apprentices will be required to stay at the Pullman Hotel, Cnr Waterloo Quadrant & Princes Street, Auckland – Accomodation has already been arranged for you.
- Apprentices will have their own rooms and are not required to room share.
- If an apprentice wishes to extend their stay for additional nights, please advise and we will arrange this for you. The cost of any additional nights will be charged to the apprentice or employer (dependent on instructions)
- We will arrange travel to and from the venue.
Dress Code
The dress code for the event is as follows:
Wednesday 23 October 2024
- Smart casual for the day and evening events
Thursday 24 October 2024
- During the Day: Suitable work attire in which to compete
- Evening Event: Smart casual
Friday 25 October 2024
- During the Day: Suitable work attire in which to compete.
- Evening Event: we will have shopped for your formal wear for the evening – don’t forget shoes & socks. If partners are coming – the dress code is formal/cocktail.
Videographer/Photographer
When you registered for the Master Electricians Apprentice Challenge 2024 you signed a disclaimer for videography and photography. Our Marketing Team (and the Etco Marketing Team) will be requesting some time with each of you for filming promotional footage for the Master Electricians Apprentice Challenge 2024. They will be in touch with you regarding this either leading up to or during the finals competition.
What to bring
- You will need to bring testing equipment that you are familiar with that can test insulation, continuity, and voltage.
- You must supply your own tools including the following:
- Multi-meter
- Insulation resistance tester
- Screwdrivers
- Allen keys
- Pliers
- Measuring equipment
- Small sockets
- Spanners
- Levels
- and anything you wish to use for general terminations.
- Any specialist tools that are required to complete tasks will be provided.
- We do have multi-function testers, small socket sets, and hacksaws available, but it is recommended bring equipment you are familiar with.
Personal Protective Equipment
All competitors must always provide and wear their own personal protective equipment during the challenge according to the below list.
Any competitor without the required equipment will not be permitted to start.
- Safety Glasses
- Safety boots
- Gloves
- Clothing suitable for working around live equipment.
Contact us
If you need to get in touch you can contact the following:
Aoife Lakeman
Event Manager – Challenge
Phone: 021 194 1055
Email: aoife@masterelectricians.org.nz
Quintin Brake
Technical Manager
Phone: 021 914 818