Apprentice Roofer on Top With Winter Award

A first year metal roofing apprentice from Newcastle has won the winter quarterly prize for the national 2002/2003 COLORBOND® steel Building Apprentice of the Year competition.

Martin Neilson from Nords Wharf began his apprenticeship this year with Hi-Tech Roofing, undertaking a Metal Roofing course at the Gymea Campus of the Southern Sydney Institute of TAFE.

The campus offers a Metal Roofing Certificate, specifically developed for apprentices to learn the art of installing steel roofing.

To cut travel time, Martin - one of 250 students from all over NSW who are enrolled in the course - completes a block of three days at the TAFE every three weeks.

As the winter winner, he collects an LGe Standard DVD Player with MP3 CD playback, valued at more than A$300, plus a certificate of his achievement.

Martin was judged the best entrant for the third phase of the competition, which continues to support and encourage young apprentices in the building industry.

Martin was nominated by his employer Hi Tech Roofing for his enthusiasm and strong work ethic since beginning employment with the company at the start of the year.

"Martin has shown a keen and enthusiastic attitude towards his work," employer Dyan Sault said. "He has shown a refreshing sense of responsibility and pride in learning the roofing trade, incorporating both COLORBOND® steel and ZINCALUME® steel products."

Servicing the Newcastle, Hunter Valley and Lake Macquarie regions, Hi-Tech Roofing specialises in providing quality steel roofing solutions for both commercial and residential buildings.

All nominations and quarterly winners are now in the running to win the overall 2002/2003 COLORBOND® steel Building Apprentice of the Year competition.

The national winner of the 2002/2003 COLORBOND® steel Building Apprentice of the Year competition will receive a trophy, an LGe 59cm FLATRON flatscreen TV and an LGe DVD home theatre system valued at more than A$2000.

Apprentices have until June 30 to enter to become the national 2002/2003 COLORBOND® steel Building Apprentice of the Year.

The award is open to all building apprentices who have worked with or studied light steel framing, steel cladding, roofing or guttering anywhere in Australia during the 2002/2003 financial year.