BCITO has announced the winners of the 2024 Building Leaders Awards, celebrating outstanding BCITO employers in the trades who are helping build the future leaders of tomorrow’s construction sector.
Greg Durkin, BCITO Director; Rex Podmore, Brownmore Concrete; Jonathan Tito, BCITO Industry Advocate – Concrete
With more than 600 nominations received from BCITO apprentices around the country, these awards recognise employers who have gone above and beyond in empowering and supporting their people.
“We’ve had a huge response from our tradies wanting to acknowledge how their employers have shown amazing dedication to passing on essential trade skills while also helping them achieve their personal goals and grow as people. I want to thank everyone who shared their stories and enabled us to give their mentors the recognition they deserve,” said Greg Durkin, Director of BCITO.
Greg Durkin, BCITO Director; Brad Street, The Kitchen Business; David Lafaele; BCITO Industry Advocate – Kitchen and Bathroom Design
The winners were presented with their awards at a gala dinner in Auckland on 5 November, part of BCITO’s annual Skills Summit on building New Zealand’s trades talent pipeline.
Among this year’s winners was Rex Podmore at Waihi’s Brownmore Concrete. A 25-year concreting veteran, Rex was nominated by several of his employees, including Todd Maitland, who shared how Rex supported him as a young man with autism, developmental delay syndrome, verbal dyspraxia and vision impairment. To help Todd with his development, Rex created visual learning tools and customised materials to help him understand the tasks he needed to do. He also allowed Todd time off to pursue his passion for basketball, as a Bay of Plenty and Tasmanian basketball representative.
Brad Street at The Kitchen Business was nominated by his employee Simon Maiava. Simon, who has social anxiety disorder, initially feared it would not be understood. However, Brad demonstrated exceptional compassion and created a safe and inclusive environment that allowed Simon to feel valued and supported.
Greg Durkin, BCITO Director; Brian Burke, MeasureUp; David Lafaele, BCITO Industry Advocate – Flooring
Fellow winner Brian Burke’s dedication to mentoring was highlighted by the success of his apprentice, Jackson Bell, who recently won the Stage 3 Flooring Apprentice of the Year award. Brian’s unwavering support for Jackson both professionally and personally exemplifies his commitment to the growth and well-being of his team, bringing on the next generation of passionate flooring specialists.
“It’s vital for the future of both the trades and New Zealand to have leaders who do more than just provide jobs,” said Mr Durkin. “By investing in their people, all our award winners are passing on essential skills to the workforce, shaping the industry’s next generation, and building a strong future for New Zealand.”
The winners are:
- Juan Gasper (Dunedin City Contracting) – Carpentry
- Karalee (Stronghold Group) – Commercial Construction
- Rex Podmore (Brownmore Concrete) – Concrete
- Clint Sewell (Swish Decorating) – Painting & Decorating
- Aaron Quinn (Carters) – Frame & Truss
- Rodney Heller, Arran Walker & Michael Cooper (Interior Construction ICON) – Interior Construction
- Ian Hunter (Construction Coatings Ltd) – Resin Flooring
- Ethan Leggett (Cutting Edge Tiling) – Tiling
- Manu Toailoa (Redrock Plaster) – Exterior Plastering
- Brad Street (The Kitchen Business) – Kitchen & Bathroom Design
- Kaine Harkins (Your Haven Ltd) – Brick & Block
- Brian Burke (MeasureUp) – Flooring
- Richard Steele (Nulook North Window and Doors) – Architectural Aluminium Joinery
- Steve Wynn (Metro Direct) – Glass & Glazing
- Aaron Whiteman (Aaron Whiteman Monumental Masonry Limited) – Stonemasonry
- Sam Burges (Optimal Windows) – Timber Joinery
About BCITO:
BCITO is a New Zealand building and construction apprenticeship provider, working alongside the industry for more than 34 years to help ensure employers have the right skills, in the right place, at the right time. At present, they have over 16,000 apprentices and 7,500 employers working through them across 16 construction trades.
