Keeping score: Meet the judges supporting the next generation
The Wallie Askew Memorial Workskills Competition may place apprentices in the spotlight, but behind every regional challenge is a team of experienced industry professionals volunteering their time and knowledge as judges.
Across this year’s Northern, Central and Southern challenges, judges assessed competitors’ technical knowledge, practical workmanship and ability to perform under pressure.
The regional challenges assess a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical capability, with competitors tested on refrigerant faults, refrigerant recovery and emissions, and electrical fault-finding. They must also fabricate a piece of pipework to match a supplied drawing. Some elements are marked through questions with defined answers, while parts of the practical challenge require judges to assess the work against accepted trade practices.
This judgement-based marking covers areas such as pipework fabrication, brazing and pipe preparation.
Work meeting the expected industry standard receives the benchmark mark, while lower or higher scores recognise performance ranging from below industry level through to excellence.
For Central Region facilitator Daniel Jordan, just being part of this competition environment is worthy of recognition.
“For people to enter the competition and put themselves on a stage to be judged is a testament to them,” he says. “Completing these tasks in front of your peers isn’t easy.”
Almost every competitor completed the pipework project this year, indicating that the task provided an appropriate test of their abilities while helping prepare those who would progress to the national competition.
Most also demonstrated a sound understanding of refrigerant fault-finding. However, the judges will continue looking for ways to strengthen the challenge, including developing different scenarios and example questions to further test future competitors.
One of the most encouraging aspects of this year’s Central challenge in Palmerston North was seeing how returning competitors had progressed.
“What stood out most was the development of the competitors,” says Daniel. “Being able to compete in successive years allows their confidence to grow, and that meant the practical task was finished in a timely manner.”
Photographs taken at successive competitions have provided a visible record of this development.
“We have seen these pipework projects develop from some cut pieces of pipe into completed, pressure-tested work. It shows the improvement in the competition, as well as the confidence being built in competitors – something that will stay with them throughout their trade.”
Different approaches under pressure
While judges assess the final result, the competition also gives them an opportunity to observe how each apprentice approaches the work.
“It was interesting to see everybody’s different approach,” says Daniel. “There were multiple variations, including examples of both good and poor technique.”
These differences create valuable learning opportunities. Competitors can compare their methods with those used by their peers, see how their work measures against industry expectations and take practical lessons back to their workplaces.
Regardless of where they place, Daniel believes competitors leave with a genuine sense of accomplishment.
“They can see that they have all finished within a few places of one another, which reflects the level of skill coming through the industry.”
Building confidence
For those progressing to the national competition, Daniel’s advice is straightforward: practise.
“The national competition is the next level. Competitors will need to demonstrate their ability to complete and commission a refrigeration system,” he says.
That will require skills including pipe fabrication, setting controls and pressure testing, along with the other work needed to complete the project successfully.
“Historically, the people who have done well are those who have practised. They arrive at the finals with an understanding of what is required and, again, with confidence.”
That confidence is one of the lasting benefits of the Wallie Askew Memorial Workskills Competition. With the support of judges from across the profession, apprentices are given the chance to test their knowledge, sharpen their practical skills and discover what they are capable of achieving.
Thank you to our 2026 regional challenge judges and facilitators
Northern region: Jonathan Newsome (as facilitator), Trent McDonald, Regi Singh, Gavin Irving, Michael Good, Gary Reily, William Malloy, Rick Oliver and Paul Conroy.
Central region: Daniel Jordan (facilitator), Cameron Wilson-Meek, Elias MacKenzie, Liam McVicar, Grant Holcroft and Darren Judd.
Southern region: Lee Todd (facilitator), Martin Lightfoot, Allan Kelly, David Higham, Andre Van Dyk and Matt Jackson.