50 | Limitless Plumbing CONTRACTING Awards experience ‘full-on’ Limitless Plumbing’s Blake Patrick. T T Sue Russell “I would encourage anyone to give it a go. It’s full-on but you meet a lot of really great people involved or supporting the industry.” Based in Whangarei, Limitless Plumbing and Gas operates over the North region, offering plumbing, gas-fitting and drainage services. Owners Blake and Jade Patrick established their business in just 2022, Blake undertook his apprenticeship through Crowe Plumbing in Whangarei. When he made the decision to step out on his own and start his own company, local plumbers and merchants were very accommodating to this change. “They referred our name which helped to seek work and contributed with start-up equipment and advertising. It’s always a bit of an uncertainty when you make a decision to set up your own business and I found the encouragement and networking made a big difference in those early days,” says Blake. The business today has a team of two apprentices. Blake says they are actively looking for another apprentice to join the team. Wife Jade also helps with the businesses administration and looks after the team. Both Tyson and Matthew undertake their apprenticeship training through the ICE organisation based in East Tamaki, Auckland “They have to go to Auckland for block courses multiple times a year and they complete assessments correspondingly in their own time.” The apprenticeships cover all three disciplines the company offers customers. Last year was a bumper one for Blake in other ways as well. He represented his region in the 2023 Young Plumber of the Year competition national finals held at Claudelands in Hamilton. The competition began in Auckland, where finalists visited platinum sponsors to gain insights into the industry. “Then on the following day we went to Claudelands where we undertook a demanding theory test followed by a four hour practical skills challenge. We were certainly tested across a wide range of theory and application.” Judges were impressed with Blake’s attention to detail, knowledge-base and quality of work, awarding him third place. Blake acknowledges carrying a fair amount of nervous energy into the branch, regional and national competitions but says the experience is well worth it. “We’ve started up a WhatsApp group from the Nationals last year so we can keep in touch.” Watching the practical work unfold for the event were about 100 people with the awards night held at the same venue that evening. Through the generous support of sponsors prizes were awarded to contestants coming first to fifth. “I would encourage anyone to give it a go. It’s full-on but you meet a lot of really great people involved or supporting the industry,” Blake says. Asked why he chose plumbing and associated skills as a career Blake says he looked at a number of trade career options before settling on plumbing. The apprenticeship training is comprehensive and it means he can offer all three associated disciplines to his clients. Limitless Plumbing and Gas undertake maintenance work often as well as new builds and renovations. Blake says he’s pleased with where the company is at and what has been achieved since establishing. “The whole thing for me in starting the business was to be able eventually to offer other people the opportunity to learn a trade and set them up well for the future. That’s been a big driver for me.” Whangarei Limitless Plumbing MICO WHANGĀREI 17 COMMERCE ST, WHANGĀREI 0110 | 09 438 7239 CREATE YOUR DREAM BATHROOM AT MICO Proud supporters of Limitless Plumbing High End Residential // Full Build Residential // Commercial // Alterations Renovations // Decks/Fences // Garage/Carports 0210 541 456 busbybuilders@hotmail.co.nz www.busbybuildersandconstruction.co.nz
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