Apprentice plumber wins scholarship
A Dunedin apprentice plumber has sealed the top spot at a nationwide plumbing award show.
On Friday, 21-year-old Masterlink apprentice plumber Trent Toomey was named the overall winner of the Plumbing World Scholarship, presented by the 2025 New Zealand Plumbing Awards Ceremony held in Brisbane.
He was awarded a $1000 credit at Plumbing World and a registration to the 2026 New Zealand Plumbing Conference, which includes flights, accommodation and a guest ticket for the New Zealand Plumbing Awards.
His employers, Gas and Water owners Shelley and Sean Reynolds, said Mr Toomey turned up to work every day with a "smile on his face".
"Trent actively seeks out areas where he can contribute, anticipating how the job is to be done, and is eager to learn new skills.
"If Trent completes his scheduled work before the end of the working day, he does not hesitate to request additional jobs."
Within his three-year apprenticeship, Mr Toomey has already passed his plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying registration exams with high marks.
This was not his first award in his short career. Last year Mr Toomey won the Trustees Apprentice Award for Otago at the 2024 Mac Mackenzie Trust Awards, which recognises second-year apprentices who excel in their training or overcome significant challenges.
Masterlink regional manager Danny Ledwith said Mr Toomey's "proactive attitude" while completing his apprenticeship was a clear demonstration of his "personal growth and maturity".
"Twelve months ago, Trent took full responsibility for his learning and committed to completing all of his online and on-job assessments, impressively getting ahead of the curriculum by finishing assessments before they were even released," he said.
laine.priestley@odt.co.nz
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Otago Daily Times
04-05-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Apprentice plumber wins scholarship
A Dunedin apprentice plumber has sealed the top spot at a nationwide plumbing award show. On Friday, 21-year-old Masterlink apprentice plumber Trent Toomey was named the overall winner of the Plumbing World Scholarship, presented by the 2025 New Zealand Plumbing Awards Ceremony held in Brisbane. He was awarded a $1000 credit at Plumbing World and a registration to the 2026 New Zealand Plumbing Conference, which includes flights, accommodation and a guest ticket for the New Zealand Plumbing Awards. His employers, Gas and Water owners Shelley and Sean Reynolds, said Mr Toomey turned up to work every day with a "smile on his face". "Trent actively seeks out areas where he can contribute, anticipating how the job is to be done, and is eager to learn new skills. "If Trent completes his scheduled work before the end of the working day, he does not hesitate to request additional jobs." Within his three-year apprenticeship, Mr Toomey has already passed his plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying registration exams with high marks. This was not his first award in his short career. Last year Mr Toomey won the Trustees Apprentice Award for Otago at the 2024 Mac Mackenzie Trust Awards, which recognises second-year apprentices who excel in their training or overcome significant challenges. Masterlink regional manager Danny Ledwith said Mr Toomey's "proactive attitude" while completing his apprenticeship was a clear demonstration of his "personal growth and maturity". "Twelve months ago, Trent took full responsibility for his learning and committed to completing all of his online and on-job assessments, impressively getting ahead of the curriculum by finishing assessments before they were even released," he said.
Scoop
03-05-2025
- Scoop
2025 New Zealand Plumbing Conference Awards: Full List Of Winners
Press Release – Master Plumbers Gasfitters and Drainlayers NZ 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. Master Plumbers is pleased to announce the winners and finalists awarded at the 2025 New Zealand Plumbing Awards on Friday 2 May. The New Zealand Plumbing Awards wraps up our annual New Zealand Plumbing Conference, this year held in Brisbane, Australia. Plumbing World Scholarships Plumbing World Scholarships are awarded to three Masterlink apprentices who have demonstrated diligence in their assignment completions, and maturity and personal growth over the past year. They are a true asset to their Masterlink Host business. Winners receive a $1,000 credit at Plumbing World, with the overall winner receiving registration, tickets and travel to the 2026 New Zealand Plumbing Conference. 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Scoop
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2025 New Zealand Plumbing Conference Awards: Full List Of Winners
Press Release – Master Plumbers Gasfitters and Drainlayers NZ Master Plumbers is pleased to announce the winners and finalists awarded at the 2025 New Zealand Plumbing Awards on Friday 2 May. The New Zealand Plumbing Awards wraps up our annual New Zealand Plumbing Conference, this year held in Brisbane, Australia. Plumbing World Scholarships Plumbing World Scholarships are awarded to three Masterlink apprentices who have demonstrated diligence in their assignment completions, and maturity and personal growth over the past year. They are a true asset to their Masterlink Host business. Winners receive a $1,000 credit at Plumbing World, with the overall winner receiving registration, tickets and travel to the 2026 New Zealand Plumbing Conference. WINNER Blake Jones-Downes – McBeth Plumbing & Gas, Taupō WINNER Rory van Vroonhoven – CF Reese Plumbing, Hamilton OVERALL WINNER Trent Toomey – Gas & Water Limited, Dunedin Mark Whitehead Training Leader of the Year This award recognises an individual who has gone beyond the call of duty to help educate and support people entering the industry. The winner will have demonstrated a true commitment to young people entering the industry, and an understanding of efforts required in building knowledge and standards within the sector. He or she deserves to be recognised for hard work and dedication to strengthening the industry. WINNER Jacob Smith – Plumbing & Gas Works, Hamilton Product of the Year This award recognises the significant contribution to product development of a company or individual in the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying industry in the past year. WINNER Aladdin Easyfit Isolator – Plumbing World New Zealand Plumber, Gasfitter or Drainlayer Employee of the Year This award recognises excellence in the trade skills of an individual Certifying Plumber, Gasfitter or Drainlayer, who is a respected member of their trade and known for their leadership skills. The winner will have demonstrated ability in trade calculations; in the selection of materials appropriate to the specifications and design of their work; and in applying relevant documentation and regulatory compliance to their work. WINNER Darrin Minifie – DL Good Plumbers, Auckland Outstanding Projects Award The award recognises an exceptional project that displays excellence and high levels of innovative plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying methods, the use of new materials or the innovative use of existing materials. WINNER Hockly Plumbers, Wellington, for their work on Ngā Mokopuna The Living Building James Douglas Medallion The prestigious James Douglas Medallion has been awarded each year since 1948. It recognises outstanding recently qualified tradespersons 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 will be chosen from these three finalists and will receive a $500 cash prize together with a Career Development Scholarship to the value of $2,500 from The Skills Organisation. This is a major prize designed to build the winner's career progression. PLUMBING FINALIST Andrew Smith – E.G. Glennie & Co Ltd GASFITTING FINALIST Marieke Oram – Clyne and Bennie Ltd DRAINLAYING FINALIST Daniel Collins – Evergreen Plumbing Group Ltd WINNER Andrew Smith – E.G. 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