Queenstown Carpenters’ Chelsea Roper was last week named in the top three apprentice builders in the central South Island and Southern region.
Roper came third overall in the 2022 Registered Master Builders Carters Apprentice of the Year comp, which was won by Rangiora’s Leon Hingston, with Invercargill’s Nic Menlove in second.
The competition, which tests apprentices’ project management, business, presentation and practical skills, recognises excellence among carpentry apprentices and raises awareness of career opportunities in the building and construction industry.
Judges say Roper, whose Instagram account @shebuildsbro has 21,000 followers, is a ‘‘very capable, mature young woman who is well respected by her colleagues’’ with a ‘‘clear desire’’ to succeed in the industry.
In her final year of her apprenticeship, Roper worked on the reconstruction of the relocated Waikaka Presbyterian Church, which dates back to 1911, after it was purchased by Queenstown planner Brett Giddens and moved to its new site at Malaghans Road.
The judges said that project helped her develop ‘‘invaluable’’ new skills.
