The 2025 Industrial Textile Fabrication Apprentice of the Year Awards will be open for entry in early 2025
The awards are split into two tiers depending on experience. The Tier 1 and Tier 2 Categories.
Benefits for entering include:
- Every entry will be displayed in photos on the ATA NZ Facebook page
- Every entry will receive a complimentary ticket to the Awards Dinner.
The Tier 1 Apprentice of the Year receives:
- A framed Certificate and $250 from MAST Academy.
The Overall Apprentice of the Year receives:
- Flights and accommodation reimbursed for the ATA NZ Conference and Trade Show in Lower Hutt
- The BRAND NEW ATA NZ Trophy to display for one year. provided by Napier Auto Upholstery
- A framed Certificate and $750 from MAST Academy.
Judging:
Judging will be based on Appearance, Workmanship, Complexity, Design, Innovation, Following the Brief and Presentation to the Judges. Contact the Executive Officer for a list of All Judging Criteria.
If you would like to compete in the Tier One competition, you must register your interest. Once you do this, a Tier One Kit will be posted to you from W Wiggins. This will include all materials you need to complete the specifications in the design below.
All entries must be received by the ATA NZ Executive Officer by 13th June 2025.
Please click on the link below to view the Tier One design for which you will be required to fabricate according to the following plan:
Apprentice of the Year Tier One Design Specs:
You must follow the design brief located below. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch. You must use materials provided in your kit that will be sent to you from W Wiggins. If you do not have a tool you need to complete this project, please reach out to an ATA NZ supplier or fabricator for assistance.
Please take photos of the following stages of your project:
- Laying up and marking out
- During Construction
- Cut pieces prior to construction
- Finished product for display/marketing purposes
Your project will be judged on Meeting the Design brief, Appearance and Workmanship (accuracy of measurements, material selected, neatness of cutting, neatness of stitching, accuracy of fittings) Finish (Binding, Threads, Overall) and how it is packed and presented. (Please Contact the ATA NZ Executive Officer for more details about Judging criteria )
Apprentice of the Year Tier Two Design Specs:
Your entry must be Innovative – either solving a problem or an enhancement to an existing product.
Your entry must use no more than 1.8sq metres (10% allowance) of advanced textile material (ie: canvas, PVC, vinyl, leather, shade cloth etc). Please note this does not include webbing, binding, velcro tape or zipping.
The finished article must include, but not be limited to, at least three of the following – an eyelet, dome, buckle (metal or plastic), zip, hook and loop.
Please take photos to show the progression of the project.
Please keep in mind projects need to be freighted. Please take into account the size, volume and weight of your project. The weight should not exceed 12kg
Judging will be based on Innovation, Material Selected, Accuracy, using correct methods for cutting and stitching, uniformity of seams, Attention to detail, Fittings & Attachments, Design and Flair, seaming and finishing, Packaging and Presentation.
Tier 2 participants also need to submit images of 2 projects they have completed, describing in detail what their level of participation was.
Entries must be sent to address in the form no later than 13th June 2025.
Please read the instructions below very carefully and complete the form before submitting your project.
