Source: MIL-OSI Submissions
Source: NZ Plumber
It’s celebrations all round at Rogers & Rogers in Kaitaia!
Industry stalwart, Jack Rogers and Masterlink apprentice George Steed have both received national awards at the 2020 New Zealand Plumbing Awards, held online on Tuesday 19 May.
Graeme Victor Smith Contribution to the Industry award
During almost 50 years in the plumbing industry, Jack Rogers has made a huge contribution to the industry and his community in Northland.
In recognition of his personal involvement in the industry and his commitment to running a business and to developing young and future plumbers, Jack has been presented with the prestigious Graeme Victor Smith Contribution to the Industry award.
Jack is well known and respected in his local community for his strong family and business values.
Jack firmly believes in social responsibility and provides sponsorship and funding for local sports teams, community activities and major fundraisers in the region.
He is a member of all major plumbing and related industry organisations and has been a Master Plumbers member for 28 years.
He has many longstanding employees, including one who was the very first apprentice he trained shortly after setting up Rogers & Rogers in 1975.
There is no question that Jack is committed to developing young and future plumbers.
He has trained more than 18 apprentices, given local Gateway students a taste for a plumbing career and helped run Plumbing World’s Young Plumber of the Year events.
He always makes himself available to answer questions and offer help when needed. He currently hosts three Masterlink apprentices, including Valentino Eyer-the only apprentice to make it to the national final of the 2019 Young Plumber competition.
Plumbing World Scholarship
It is fitting that the second 2020 award winner from Rogers & Rogers is 20-year-old apprentice George Steed, who has won one of three Plumbing World Scholarships.
Currently in the third year of his Plumbing, Drainlaying & Gasfitting apprenticeship, George started his training at Rogers & Rogers after completing the Gateway programme through Kaitaia College.
He won the 2018 inaugural Hudson Sellars Apprentice Scholarship, presented each year to assist a promising young person into a trades career in the Northland region.
Within a year, he was carrying out a wide variety of maintenance plumbing work to a high standard.
A good problem solver, George is always keen to upskill and gain more knowledge, and not afraid to ask for help if needed.
George has also participated in Young Plumber of the Year branch competitions.
He says he is proud that he can contribute to people’s lives in a positive way in a region that comes with its social challenges.
Plumbing World Scholarships are awarded to Masterlink apprentices who have demonstrated diligence in their studies and a passion for the industry. Each recipient receives a trophy, a certificate and a $1,000 voucher from Plumbing World.
The Graeme Victor Smith Award has been presented since 2014 and recognises values important to Graeme throughout his long career: commitment to Master Plumbers, to the industry, to running a successful business and to developing young and future plumbers. Based in Christchurch, Graeme Victor Smith has been involved in the plumbing industry for over 30 years. He is well-respected and well-liked in the Canterbury region. He was South Island Sales Manager for Dux Industries.
The New Zealand Plumbing Awards are normally presented during a gala dinner which is the glittering finale of the annual New Zealand Plumbing Conference.
Sadly, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in this year’s conference being postponed until 2021.
However, Master Plumbers decided to celebrate and honour our 2020 awards winners – those who have contributed to the Plumbing, Gasfitting and Drainlaying sector in New Zealand – in a virtual ceremony using cameras in multiple locations and Zoom technology.
The ceremony aired on Facebook as a live Watch Party at 7 pm on Tuesday 19 May.
Masterlink is a group training scheme, owned by Master Plumbers, that provides managed mentored apprenticeships in plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying across New Zealand. Regional Managers support the apprentices – and the businesses who host them – during their training.
Master Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers NZ Inc (Master Plumbers) is the national membership organisation for plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying businesses, with 18 regional Associations and Branches across New Zealand. Companies go through a Quality Assurance programme in order to become a member. We provide members with a wide range of resources and training opportunities to support them in staying up with the latest technologies, products and compliance requirements. We advocate on behalf of our members and our industry.
Masterlink, a group training scheme owned by Master Plumbers, provides managed mentored apprenticeships across New Zealand, with Regional Managers supporting the apprentices and the businesses who host them during their training.
NZ Plumber is the award-winning, bi-monthly magazine for New Zealand’s plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers. It is owned by Master Plumbers.
