WorldSkills finalists one step closer to becoming 'Tool Blacks'
The very best among New Zealand’s budding tradespeople were chosen at the WorldSkills NZ National Finals held in Christchurch on 4-7 July.
At the two-day contest the most promising young apprentices from various regions nationwide battled it out in fifteen different skill categories to show off their trade knowledge and expertise. Competitors were vying for one last chance to become a New Zealand Tool Black and compete at the WorldSkills International Finals in Leipzig in July next year.
The National Finals highlight on-the-job excellence by putting competitors through a demanding set of tasks. In some categories this meant working from a blueprint to make a specific object. In others, competitors follow a routine set of tasks that are frequently met in the working environment.
Contestants qualified for the National Finals by winning regional and industry-specific competitions held every two years in Northland, Auckland, Waikato/Bay of Plenty, Central North Island, Wellington, Canterbury and Otago/Southland, with others also selected from the New Zealand Defence Force.
Medals were presented to the winners at the award ceremony on Saturday, 7 July. The person who gained the highest score from their region was presented with the Best in Region Award and the Waikato Region, which gained the highest aggregate score, was presented with the Sir John Ingram Trophy.
WorldSkills NZ CEO Peter Spencer said each region could be proud of how far their representatives had come, but that being selected for the Tool Blacks, and facing the best the rest of the world has to offer, would be even more challenging.
“There’ll be more than 1100 competitors from more than 50 countries competing in 46 different skills categories, but each Tool Black will be putting their heart and soul into their training to prove that they have what it takes to be the best in the world.”
He said there are a number of benefits for all involved in the WorldSkills competitions.
“Competitors gain confidence and valuable experience in their vocation, industries get a benchmark on which to base competencies and national standards, and New Zealand benefits from a young motivated workforce.”
WorldSkills NZ 2012 National Finals
Best in Region Awards
| Region | Name | Employer |
| Northland |
Rodney Nelson |
Fieldpower, Northland |
| Auckland | Joshua Fistonich |
Phil Clark Panelbeaters |
| Waikato | Andrew Heath | Kevin Heath Bricklayer |
| Central North Island |
Cait Woodcock | Spectra |
| Wellington | Mitchell Bone | Blakemore and Lee Plumbing Ltd |
| NZ Defence Force | Michael West | RNZAF |
| Canterbury | Jake Ackers | Holland Collision Repair |
| Otago/Southland | James Buchanan | 4 Trades/Leith Joinery |
Sir John Ingram Trophy
For the Region with the highest aggregate score: Waikato
Full list of 2012 National finals winners
Source: WorldSkills New Zealand