Last year’s Master Builders Apprentice of the Year shares his experience and advice as this year’s crop of tradies take to the comp.
Putting yourself out there – it's the most important step you can take towards fulfilling your goals, says the 2024 CARTERS RMB Apprentice of the Year. Hunter Moon stepped up to the challenge last year and wound up winning the entire competition.
Following this year’s regional practical challenges in June, the top ten winners from each region now move on to site visits, and interviews with judges. A total of 97 apprentices took part in the regionals this time, with ages ranging from 19 to 45 years old. Like last year, four female apprentices were among those to pick up their tools for the challenges.
Overall winner in 2024, Hunter reflects on his experience in the finals. “It was the hardest I have ever worked,” says the Hamilton-based builder. “But I was riding high that whole day; I certainly enjoyed it. I knew I’d done OK. I was confident in my workmanship.”
“It was the hardest I have ever worked,” says the Hamilton-based builder, speaking about the national finals experience. “But I was riding high that whole day; I certainly enjoyed it. I knew I’d done OK. I was confident in my workmanship.”
Winning was another huge vote of confidence for the former Hamilton Boys’ High Head prefect. “It validated a few years of wondering, ‘am I good enough?’,” he says.
And, after actually being awarded first place himself, Hunter is encouraging other early career stage builders to back themselves.
“It’s unlike anything that you’ll experience on site,” he says, of the heats and finals practicals. “You have to stay cool, calm and collected and do your best. Yes, you might think, ‘can I cut it?’ but you might surprise yourself.”
The 23 year-old completed his apprenticeship in March this year, after three and a half years’ work. He’s stoked to be thriving in a commercial building role with Fosters Construction, currently working on a new school build project between Hamilton and Morrinsville.
After finishing high school, Hunter initially enrolled at university. It didn’t take him long to switch direction, however. “I was enrolled in a Bachelor of Law and Management degree,” he explains, “but I decided I could get what I wanted from my career by going into construction.
“I’ve enjoyed making things since I was a child. And, I knew I wanted to lead teams of people and have a meaningful impact somehow.
“Through discussions with friends and family, I came to realise I could have a successful career and achieve these things through becoming a builder.”
Since his win late last year, being recognised as the Apprentice of the Year has taken some getting used to, Hunter says. “It’s seven months or so on, now, but I still get at least one or two people a week coming up to me to say congratulations. It’s nice to get that recognition.
“It was a bit of a shock at first, though. When I’d come back to Hamilton after the finals, I was going into town in the [signwritten ‘Apprentice of the Year’] truck. As I got out, this guy starts walking across the road towards me. I was like, ‘what’s going on here’? It was someone I’d never met before going out of his way to run over and say well done!”
The use of the CARTERS-sponsored ute is one of the many perks of taking out the title.
Next, in this year’s competition, regional winners will be announced at their respective local awards events across the country in August and September.
The top winner from each region will then go on to compete in the national finals in Auckland on 9 October. This will see them pit against each other in a six-hour practical challenge and a panel interview with judges, before a well-earned gala awards dinner.
We’ll see who’s next to take the keys to the winners’ ute in October from the latest crop of apprentices putting themselves forward to be in the running for the title.
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