Trailer manufacturer TRT has judged Luke Martin its Apprentice of the Year for 2017 – ahead of fellow-finalists Matthew Morgan and Kent Morley.

The award winners were announced at the annual Gallagher Rotary Awards Dinner, which recognises excellence in industry training. Supported by Sir William and Lady Judy Gallagher, the awards are hosted by the combined Frankton and Te Rapa Rotary Clubs. TRT was one of several leading Waikato companies in attendance, each making presentations to their top-performing trainees or apprentices.

Martin is an apprentice in automotive parts and accessories merchandising and is a member of the TRT heavy commercial vehicle parts team.

TRT managing director Kevin Chubb says that choosing the three finalists was no easy task: "We currently have 17 apprentices who qualified for these awards, and it was a difficult process to select our three finalists from many very deserving entries."

As TRT has diversified its business over several years it has developed a significant apprenticeship programme internally. The range of work they cover includes steel fabrication and welding, engineering, heavy diesel mechanics and automotive parts.

Chubb says it's important to TRT and to the country "that we develop talent in an industry that's often experiencing shortages in qualified tradespeople.

"TRT holds a strong family value at its core and we're looking to develop a team that's committed to the business for the long haul – and that means that we will remain focused on opportunities for our people to move forward with a career at TRT and offering them more than a job. This also means investing in apprenticeship and other training programmes."