Health and safety focus at Taranaki Apprentice Challenge

How fast can a builder change a tyre? Or a sparkie hammer a nail in straight?

An action-packed event hosted by WITT on Friday, October 16, will bring together young trades apprentices from around the region to compete in the Taranaki Apprentice Challenge. Twelve teams with four in each will compete in a range of activities that highlight health and safety, as well as skill, strength and speed.

Frances Boyce, Managing Director of Whitaker Civil Engineering and chair of BeSafe Taranaki, the organisers, says the event is for learning and education, and to create strong networks across the sector.

The event is back after a break last year in its 15-year history. “We want to make it spectacular and a highlight for industry leaders,” Frances says. “And we want to challenge thinking and expand the horizons of our youth apprentices on what a career could look like within infrastructure, construction and trades sectors.”

She hopes this year’s event will be rewarding and memorable for all who attend, including local body leaders and political representatives as spectators.

“The Apprentice Challenge is a way to give back to our youth to celebrate their efforts and energy for doing what they do. It’s a great opportunity to have a break from work but do something that complements their apprenticeship,” Frances says.

Tricks of the trades as teams compete

Part of the ‘challenge’ is for young tradies to have a go at skills practised in areas other than the one they work in, says BeSafe event coordinator Lois Eggers.

The underlying theme is on increasing awareness of health and safety – both physical and mental, says Lois. She has worked closely with a wide range of businesses since BeSafe was founded in 2011 and says there has been “a seismic shift in awareness of health and safety” in recent years.

The event has attracted entrants from around Taranaki, including in dairy, engineering, forestry, transport and more, as well as a team from WITT’s trades school.

Each team will move through the diverse activities designed to test practical skills, fitness and teamwork, with the winner awarded a shield at the end. Brains as well as brawn will be tested too, with a quiz to end the day along with kai.

Although there’s a competitive vibe to the day, Lois says collaboration and knowledge sharing are all part of the bigger picture. New Zealand Police, Fire and Emergency, and ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation) are also running challenges on the day.

BeSafe comprises a consortium of local business leaders who wanted to improve health, safety and wellbeing practices locally across organisations and industries in Taranaki by forming a ‘coalition of the willing,’ says Frances.

It began as a base for workshops and training for new tradespeople, then developed its focus on health and safety. Local councils and businesses in civil engineering and construction are now involved. The learning modules cover asbestos safety, safety around mobile equipment, working at height, managing change in the field, and mental wellbeing to name a few.

“Each module aims to prevent injury and help people get home safely at the end of the day,” says Lois.

Angela Ferguson, Director of School for Engineering and Trades, says WITT is privileged to be the host venue for the 2026 event.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for us to showcase and share our incredible facilities and the bevy of training courses on offer. Having some of our pre-trade ākonga form a team to compete on the day makes it even more special for us.”

WITT has long history of trades and engineering training and education but will shine a light on other facilities on the day, including a gym and nursing simulation lab.

Photo caption: Frances Boyce and Angela Ferguson at the WITT campus (with construction workshop behind)