Steel Construction NZ awards apprentices and young achievers

Steel Construction New Zealand has named Niki Harris and Joyce Correa Barroso as the winners of its annual Apprentice of the Year and Young Achiever of the Year awards. The awards were presented at an industry event in Wellington.

The apprentice award went to Harris of Black Steel Mobile, while the Young Achiever title went to Correa Barroso of ISSA Engineering. The annual programme recognises people in the structural steel sector for their work, development and contribution to the industry.

The awards are intended to reflect the qualities the industry values in emerging workers, including commitment, innovation and adaptability. SCNZ also highlighted continued investment in training across the sector, saying more than 10 per cent of the workforce employed by local structural steel contractors are currently in a training programme, while 70 per cent of companies employ an average of five apprentices.

Harris was recognised for his work across fabrication and installation projects and for continuing to attend night training classes after finishing his apprenticeship. He was also recognised for supporting current apprentices by sharing his knowledge and experience while maintaining a high standard of workmanship.

Correa Barroso was cited for her approach to problem-solving and for taking ownership of practical delivery in her role at ISSA Engineering. She was also recognised for identifying opportunities to improve outcomes for clients and stakeholders, and for contributing positively to team culture on site.

Training focus

Darren O'Riley, general manager of SCNZ and one of the awards judges, said the event also reflected the role employers play in developing staff. The awards were not only about individual performance, he said, but also workplace support, mentoring and training.

"Structural steel offers diverse and rewarding career paths, and our role as an industry is to open doors and guide emerging talent," O'Riley said.

"These awards highlight the individuals who are shaping that future. Equally important are the companies behind them, which invest in training, mentoring and development to support the next generation of industry leaders," he said.

O'Riley said the standard of entrants remained high across both categories. SCNZ said finalists included people who had entered the trade straight from school as well as those who joined later.

"The quality of entrants continues to impress. Whether coming straight from school or joining the industry later, these young professionals show there is a place for everyone in structural steel, and that dedication and skill are always recognised," O'Riley said.

Finalists named

In the apprentice category, Ben Lister of Farra and Joshua Collins of PFS Engineering were named joint runners-up. Anton van Biljon of PFS Engineering, Joseph Senn of Farra, Luke Rowe of PFS Engineering, Micheal Cunningham of George Grant Engineering, Patricia Gadsby of Black Steel Mobile and Vaughan Rhind of Ohinewai Steel were highly commended.

In the Young Achiever award, William Pasisi of Whakatiki Engineering was runner-up and Katie Gotlieb of Farra was also named a finalist.

The range of companies represented among the finalists reflects the breadth of employers involved in skills development across New Zealand's structural steel industry. Fabricators, engineers and specialist contractors all featured among the businesses recognised through the awards programme.

SCNZ represents a broad cross-section of the country's steel construction sector, including manufacturers, distributors, fabricators, designers, detailers, galvanisers and building supply companies. The organisation provides technical advice to members and acts as an industry voice in dealings with government and other decision-makers.

The latest awards list placed equal emphasis on practical trade training and wider professional development, with winners drawn from both workshop-based and project delivery roles.