Building apprentices from across Tauranga will battle it out on Saturday April 1 at the New Zealand Certified Builders - NZCB - Apprentice Challenge Sponsored by ITM.

Competing for the title of Tauranga's NZCB Apprentice Challenge winner and a spot in the national final, the apprentices will be tasked with completing a challenging project over eight hours that will put their skills to the test.

This year's challenge will see each apprentice build a fort, the design plans for which will be revealed one week ahead of the competition.

The day-long challenge requires proficiency in a raft of carpentry skills, with a focus on attention to detail and time management.

To decide the winner, a judging panel of building practitioners and industry educators will assess each apprentice's technical skills and technique, the quality of their workmanship, precision of measuring and cutting, assembly and ability to work to a detailed plan – all while working against the clock.

Each fort must meet minimum safety standards, and competitors will be provided with durable, trade-quality timber and materials from ITM to complete the project.

The event will be held at Toi Ohomai Trade Campus, 70 Windermere Drive, Poike, Tauranga and is open to the public to attend and support local building talent. The event begins on Saturday April 1 at 8am and the best time to attend is from 3pm onwards, with Tauranga's Apprentice Challenge 2022 winner being announced around 5pm.

The Tauranga event is one of 20 regional NZCB Apprentice Challenges being held around the country on the day. These events are sponsored by ITM and held in conjunction with the NZCB Apprentice Trust.

The winner of each regional event will go on to represent their region in the national NZCB Apprentice Challenge Sponsored by ITM Final, held at the NZCB Annual Conference and Expo in Christchurch on May 26 – 27.