North Canterbury News: September 07, 2023

Double celebration for Lenix
It was adouble celebration for Waikari’s
Lenix Trembath this month when she
took first place in the Amuri Community
Arts Councils Adult Art competition, and
enjoyed aHurunui Mayors Taskforce for
Jobs (MTFJ) morning tea shout with her
employer and work colleagues.
Hurunui District Councils MTFJ coordinator
Prudence Roberts says the
morning tea shout was the first in aseries
to acknowledge the support of local
employers to the programme and
Hurunui’s young people.
The morning tea was held in the Amuri
Community Arts Council Gallery in the
Hurunui District Library in Hanmer
Springs, where 19­year­old Lenix’s
award­winning artwork Under the Water
took pride of place.
Hanmer Springs Painting and
Decorating owner Tony Pearce said
Lenix’s journey had started with working
afew days aweek with the business and
had grown to afull three­year
apprenticeship as apainting and
decorating specialist.
In tandem, he has watched Lenix
pursue her passion for art.
‘‘Today, one of your artworks is on a
gallery wall.
‘‘In five to 10 years, you will look back
on this journey and see agreat change,’’
Mr Pearce predicted.
Lenix says accepting the job placement
in January through MTFJ, came after a
New Year’s resolution to stick with a
permanent workplace position for afull
year.
‘‘Ahead of starting this job, Ifelt
nervous Ididn’t know what Iwanted to do
with my life.
‘‘I was hoping Iwouldn’t give up but
would give it atry.’’
The camaraderie between the four
members of her work crew had
supported her throughout the year,
Lenix says.
‘‘I wouldn’t want to do my
apprenticeship with anyone else.
‘‘My plan is after the apprenticeship to
stand back and look at where Iwant to go,
perhaps combining my experience from
this job with my love of art and going into
interior decorating.’’
Lenix says she had never entered her
artwork in acompetition previously.
‘‘MTFJ has been really good; Ihave
taken from it aconfidence in myself. It’s
pushed me in the right direction, and I
felt there was someone who believed in
me as aperson.’’
Hurunui Mayor Marie Black says MTFJ
has been one of the most influential
programmes council has introduced to
support young people and others in the
district, and she acknowledged the
contribution of Hurunui employers to
Hurunui MTFJs success.
‘‘The character of MTFJ does not exist
without supportive employers to take
graduates into arole in the community.’’
Challenge conquered
By ROBYN BRISTOW
North Canterbury’s Jack Norrishas been
crowned topNew Zealand apprentice
sparky­domesticand commercial —
followingthe Master Electricians
Apprentice Challenge.The 24­year­old
was oneoftwo to take out Apprentice of
the Yearawards at aGalaAwards
ceremony at Auckland’sGrandMillenium
Hotel.
Arecord 317apprentices tookpart in
the final Challenge. Aucklander, Chris
Read, took the industrial title.
Jack, from Leithfield, and who is
employedbyAotea ElectricCanterbury, is
‘‘stoked’’ to have captured thetitle,
achieving hisgoalofwinning at his
secondattempt at the Challenge.
‘‘I’m prettystoked.Itisareal
achievement forme,”says Jackwho first
startedatAoteaElectric as alabourer
fresh out of high school.
After 18 months,hetookatwo­year stint
overseas to Canada.
But Covid saw him come home, and he
returned to Aotea,where he wasasked to
become an apprentice.
‘‘Becominganapprentice wasn’t
something Iwas lookingfor at thetime,
but I’mreally glad I’ve done it.
‘‘It’sgreatwork. Iamreally enjoying it.’’
The finalists had to completefive,twohourpracticalmodules
over twodays,
reflectingvarious scenarios an
apprentice mightface on thejob.
All of the apprenticesweregivena
heads up on the modules in advance, so
theyhad timetobrushuponwhat they
neededtodo.
Apprentice of the Year ... Jack Norris.
PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Jack says it took abit of study to ensure
he waswellplaced to tackle the modules.
MasterElectricians Acting Chief
Executive andGeneralManager
OperationsMathew Lawrence saysitisno
small thingtohavereachedthe finals of
theChallenge, letalonewin thetitle of
Apprenticeofthe Year.
‘‘This event reallytestsapprentices
technically, mentallyand physically. It
wasanintensecouple of days forthe 10
finalists as theyare all veryfocusedhigh
achievers at thetop of their game.’’
Under the Water .. . Lenix with her awardwinning
artwork.
PHOTO: SUPPLIED
NEWS
The North Canterbury News, September 7, 2023
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