| 93 T T Russell Fredric Roy up for the challenge Roy Devereux achieved third place in this year’s ITM New Zealand Certified Builders Otago apprentice challenge. Devereux Building BUILDING A third year apprentice employed by Dunedin company Devereux Building achieved third place in this year’s ITM New Zealand Certified Builders Otago apprentice challenge. Roy Devereux - brother of Devereux Building owner Marcus Devereux - pitted his skills against eight others in the competition which required contestants to build a children’s playhouse in eight hours. Held at ITM Dunedin, this year’s project required the apprentices to build a playhouse, working from detailed plans, using the skills and experience they had gained on the job and through courses they had attended. “We were given the plans 10 days before, so we got to read them and study them and prepare for it,” says Roy. Members of the public were able to watch the progress of the apprentices as they battled to complete their playhouse to the highest possible standard. “It was challenging enough in itself because there was a lot of things going on. We had to build stairs, we had to pitch rafters, a whole lot of stuff like that.” Despite having plans, the roof pitch was not specified and working this out was one of the more challenging aspects of the competition. It was the second time Roy, 22, had entered the competition. He was pleased with the result because it showed good progress since last year when he spent too much time on things that did not matter, he says. 2576183 Proudly Supporting Marcus and the team at Devereux Building. PLACEMAKERS DUNEDIN & MOSGIEL PLACEMAKERSDUNEDIN & MOSGIEL 50 BURNS ST & 34 CARNCROSS ST (03) 466 4617 PROUDLY SUPPORTING DEVEREUX BUILDING Plasterboard Installation Ceiling Battening Plasterboard Stopping Fibrous Plastering Rikki Wetere P: 0800 333 118 M: 021 225 3657 ADVANCED TAIERI EXCAVATION and DRAINAGE Excavators and Trucks for Hire Robert Stones Owner/Operator P 03 489 7797 M 0274 376 885 E rstones@xtra.co.nz “It was a big improvement. Last year I didn’t even finish and this year I finished to what I believe was a good standard and then next year hopefully I will finish to a great standard.” The competition was won by fourth year apprentice Jack Johnston who is Roy’s flatmate. Jack also won last year’s challenge. Marcus Devereux, says the challenge was a good way for Roy to benchmark his progress, especially as he is the business’ sole apprentice. “It’s a good confidence booster.” Devereux Building employs two tradesmen apart from Marcus and undertakes a variety of work including new builds and renovations as well as repairs, decks, fencing, farm buildings, bespoke projects and project management. Marcus says working with clients is one of the most enjoyable aspects of his work. A licensed building practitioner, he started his business mid-2020 with 10 years experience in the industry. “I was really just looking for that next step or that challenge and looking to have a bit more connection with the client. I enjoy doing interesting jobs for nice people. I enjoy doing a lot of the technical work, but also working with the sub-trades and with great clients.” Marcus enjoys sitting down with clients and discussing their dreams and needs for a home or other project and guiding them through the process, and because it is a small business, a one-on-one personal service is the norm. “We are passionate about delivering high quality building and project management, while operating with integrity to bring your project to life.”
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