EarnLearn electrical apprentices have put their skills to the test at the Otago regional heat of the Master Electricians Trade Master Apprentice Challenge, with nine EarnLearn learners taking part and two earning podium finishes.
Held at Otago Polytechnic on 23 and 24 September, the two-day event brought together 30 electrical apprentices from across the region to compete in a series of practical challenges designed to test their technical skills, problem-solving abilities and safe working practices.
Nine EarnLearn learners from Dunedin took part in the event, representing their employers and putting their skills to the test alongside other apprentices from across the region.
The challenge provided all nine learners with an opportunity to step outside their usual day-to-day work, take on new scenarios, learn alongside their peers and build confidence in their abilities.
Among the EarnLearn apprentices competing were Aotea apprentices Casey Henry and Caitlin Hand, who achieved impressive results across the two competition categories.
Third-year apprentice Casey Henry placed third overall in the Industrial category, while second-year apprentice Caitlin Hand took out first place in the Domestic category.
Caitlin’s result is particularly impressive as a Year 2 apprentice competing against apprentices from across the region.
The Apprentice Challenge gives participants the opportunity to tackle a range of real-world electrical tasks. This year’s Otago competitors were tested across areas including motor starter wiring, fault diagnostics, switchboard building, switch wiring, cable joining, industrial electrical equipment installation and Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) programming.
Beyond the competition itself, the event provides apprentices with valuable opportunities to test their knowledge in a different environment, develop their practical skills and learn from others in the electrical industry.
Caitlin is also in contention for a place at the national final in Auckland later this year. The national finalists will be confirmed following the final regional round in Invercargill.
The 2026 competition has attracted 256 electrical apprentices nationwide, with the top five competitors from each division progressing to the national final. This year also marks the 25th anniversary of the Apprentice Challenge, with New Zealand finalists set to compete against Australia’s top apprentices in a trans-Tasman final at Eden Park in November.
Congratulations to all nine EarnLearn learners who stepped up to take part in this year’s Otago challenge, and to Casey and Caitlin on their fantastic podium finishes. It was great to see such strong EarnLearn representation and our apprentices embracing the opportunity to challenge themselves, develop their skills and represent their employers and the wider Dunedin electrical industry.
You can read more here: Otago Polytechnic powers up regional competition | Otago Polytechnic
