Rebuilding quake-stricken Christchurch, helping to fix the leaky homes disaster and offsetting the housing shortage - where are the builders going to come from?

That’s a question being asked by people behind this year’s Registered Master Builders’ Federation Apprentice of the Year contest.

“The damage caused by the Canterbury earthquakes will generate an incredibly high demand for skilled builders, many of whom will be entrants or employers in this year’s Apprentice of the Year competition,” RMBF chief executive Warwick Quinn says.

“This also comes at a time when the industry is embarking on repairing 20,000 leaky homes and as a country we are facing a real housing shortage – particularly in Auckland.  So while we are experiencing a low right now in building activity, our young apprentices are poised for a very busy future.”

The competition aims to highlight career opportunities in the building and construction sector, and provides a chance for carpentry apprentices to be recognised for their talent, skill and drive.

“We are going to need these apprentices with the huge amount of work that is around the corner. Employers now play an important role, encouraging these young people to become a vital part of the industry,” says Mr Quinn.

Brent Waldron, Carters chief executive, says the Apprentice of the Year competition reflects the industry’s efforts to attract and train talented individuals and recognises the efforts of the employers who train and develop them.