Celebrating outstanding apprentices was part of the annual awards and conferences held this spring for the Kiwi joinery and flooring trades.
Outstanding apprentices have been honoured across two trades at annual awards held this spring. The Master Joiners Annual Conference and Excellence Awards bring together leaders and innovators in New Zealand’s joinery sector, celebrating the very best in craftsmanship, design, and emerging talent. The 2025 conference theme, Crafting the Future, highlighted the importance of innovation, training, and sustainability in shaping the industry’s next generation.
The Ernie Jelinek Cup, presented by BCITO, is awarded annually to a timber joinery apprentice who has demonstrated exceptional skill, commitment and potential. This year, Jack Hitchcox of Dunedin’s Bespoke Cabinets was awarded the prestigious cup for Most Promising Apprentice. He was presented with the award (pictured) in front of industry peers at the event held at Te Puia, Rotorua on Saturday 20 September.
"Ernie Jelinek was greatly involved with the Joinery Industry Training Organisation (JITO) and today we continue to recognise his contribution to the joinery industry with the awarding of the Ernie Jelinek Cup. We want to congratulate Jack on receiving this great honour for 2025," said Nathan Moore, National President, Master Joiners Inc.
With his father being a joiner, Jack was a natural for the trade. In his three years with Bespoke Cabinets, he has grown into overseeing other employees, while taking on incredibly complex work and even helping build the business’s new factory.
“Jack is also incredibly dependable. He often beats me to work in the morning, and I’ve never once seen him pack up early. Last month, I was away from work for two weeks, and Jack ran the company in my absence – every job was delivered on time, and everything was handled professionally. He’s a once in a generation apprentice.”
Jack said he’d been lucky to work on some unique projects and to learn from people who’d trusted him with responsibility early on.
“Running jobs and taking on complex builds has pushed me to grow quickly,” he said. “I’m grateful for the support of my employer, my BCITO training advisor, and everyone who has backed me along the way. This recognition motivates me to keep raising the bar and contributing to the future of our trade.”
Other apprentices to pick up 2025 Master Joiners Excellence Apprentice Awards for their work were:
- Best Fitment Under Two Years - Mark Seager, Customtone Kitchens (2017) Ltd
- Best Fitment Over Two Years - Sam Kempton, MWF MANUFACTURING LIMITED
- Best Timber Project Under Two Years - Mark Seager, Customtone Kitchens (2017) Ltd
- Best Timber Project Over Two Years - Jamal Qualls, MWF MANUFACTURING LIMITED
- Highest Judged Workmanship & Skill - Jamal Qualls, MWF MANUFACTURING LIMITED
- Gordon Caufield Memorial Award - MWF MANUFACTURING LIMITED
- People's Choice Under Two Years - Mark Seager, Customtone Kitchens (2017) Ltd
- People's Choice Over Two Years - Sam Kempton, MWF MANUFACTURING LIMITED
- Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) Ernie Jelinek Cup - Jack Hitchcox, Bespoke Cabinets
Greg Durkin, Director at BCITO, said the award is a testament to the strength of talent coming through the trades. “Apprentices like Jack represent the future of the joinery profession. Their determination, willingness to learn and creativity ensure that traditional craftsmanship continues to thrive. BCITO is proud to support and celebrate the next generation of joiners through our ongoing sponsorship of the Ernie Jelinek Cup,” he said.
The 2025 Master Joiners Premier Award winner announced at this year’s ceremony was Carlielle Kitchens, and the overall Master Joiners Supreme Award this year went to Wackrows Joinery Ltd.
Congratulations to all the award finalists and winners.
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