Awards – Motorhome mastery contributes to Hamilton gasfitter’s top industry award

Source: Master Plumbers Gasfitters and Drainlayers

As Maui campervans roll off the production line in Hamilton, gasfitters from local business CJ Cant connect and test the pipework and appliances ready for use.

Among them is gasfitter Dylan Roy, a top award winner in the 2024 New Zealand Plumbing Awards, announced this Friday at an awards ceremony at Takina Convention Centre in Wellington.

Dylan qualified through the Masterlink apprentice training programme last December, despite facing challenges to complete his plumbing, drainlaying and gasfitting apprenticeship in the usual five-year timeframe.

Covid lockdowns caused delays to off-site courses at his Wintec training provider, and training delivery changes put the brakes on two crucial final gas assessments.

Dylan was lucky, though. New Zealand’s first-ever certified workplace assessor in these trades, Pete Shields, was on hand to sign off his gas skills on the job instead.

Pete arrived at the Maui production line and was impressed to find everything ready for his check. “I was blown away by the standard and type of work Dylan was involved with,” he recalls.

“When I showed the workplace evidence collected for his gasfitter qualification to the head of the programme at Wintec, he said, ‘This guy should be teaching.’

“It is rare to find an apprentice with such a high level of gasfitting knowledge and confidence. Dylan is outstanding.”

With his Tradesman registration exams successfully passed in all three trades, and the 2024 James Douglas Medallion under his belt, Dylan looks to go far in the world of gas installations and servicing.

Perhaps he’ll hire one of those Maui motorhomes and enjoy a well-earned trip.

The New Zealand Plumbing Awards acknowledge the many positive achievements and success stories in the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying industry and are presented at a gala dinner, sponsored by Plumbing World, on the final night of the annual New Zealand Plumbing Conference. Organised by Master Plumbers, the national conference has been held for over 100 years and is the premier event in the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying industry, with attendees coming from all over the country.

The James Douglas Medallion has been awarded each year since 1948. It recognises outstanding recently qualified tradespeople who have demonstrated hard work, commitment, and determination to achieve industry success. Young people are the lifeblood of our industry, and it is important we can attract and retain the best young people entering the workforce.

The overall James Douglas Medallion recipient is chosen from three finalists in Plumbing, Gasfitting and Drainlaying, and receives a $500 cash prize together with a Skills Career Development Scholarship to the value of $2,500. This is a major prize designed to build the winner’s career progression.

Master Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers NZ Inc (Master Plumbers) is the national membership organisation for plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying businesses, with 19 regional associations and branches across New Zealand. Companies go through a Quality Assurance programme to become a member. Members are provided with a wide range of resources and training opportunities to support them in staying up to date with the latest technologies, products, and compliance requirements. Master Plumbers advocates on behalf of members and the plumbing industry. The association organises the annual New Zealand Plumbing Conference, culminating in the prestigious New Zealand Plumbing Awards, which recognise excellence in the industry.

Master Plumbers owns the national Masterlink mentored group apprentice training scheme, which recruits and employs successful candidates and places them with host plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying businesses. Masterlink provides apprentices with pastoral care as they work towards completing their apprenticeship and getting qualified.