When Culham Engineering apprentice Devin Gibson was named New Zealand Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year, it was recognition of the work that happens long before awards are handed out.

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Presented by Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing, Hon. Cameron Brewer, at the 2026 New Zealand Manufacturing Awards, the national award recognises apprentices who demonstrate technical excellence, leadership potential, professionalism and commitment to their trade.

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For the Waipū-based apprentice, who is completing his NZ Certificate in Engineering Fabrication (Trade) (Level 4) with Northland heavy engineering company Culham Engineering, the achievement marks the culmination of a journey that highlights the impact of great mentoring, workplace support and a commitment to continuous improvement.

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The award carries significance beyond individual achievement. Manufacturing remains one of New Zealand's largest export sectors and relies on a steady pipeline of skilled tradespeople to support major infrastructure, energy and industrial projects across the country.

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Culham Engineering has built a remarkable reputation for developing talent from within. Since opening its doors in 1958, the company has trained more than 800 apprentices, many of whom have gone on to become industry leaders, supervisors and senior tradespeople.

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Like many young people transitioning from school into the workforce, Devin's first year involved more than simply learning a trade.

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"I left school in Year 12 and started here when I was 17," he says.

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"You're figuring out work, figuring out life and I had gone flatting as well. I wasn't fully focused at the start. I'd be surprised if many people come straight out of school and immediately have everything sorted."

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Culham Engineering Work-Based Assessor Gary Stables says that experience is common.

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"A lot of apprentices aren't fully work-ready in that first year or year-and-a-half. They're transitioning into the adult world, learning responsibility and how workplaces operate. That's why support is so important."

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The turning point came during a major vessel installation project in Tauranga.

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"We went down and saw it being installed and suddenly you could see the impact of what we'd been building," says Devin. "It made you realise this work actually matters and made me want to take on more responsibility."

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Gary noticed the change immediately.

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"The light bulb went on. He went from being a typical young apprentice finding his way to someone who really wanted to learn and improve."

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Today, Devin enjoys tackling some of the workshop's most technically demanding jobs, including fabricating complex square-to-round transitions from 25mm steel plate with a 2mm tolerance - an advanced fabrication skill requiring millimetre-perfect accuracy.

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"Anything that's complicated or challenging is what I enjoy most. I like the jobs where you've got to think your way through it and get it right first time," says the apprentice.

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That appetite for challenge is matched by a disciplined approach to learning.

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Rather than taking study home after a long day on the tools, Devin spends an hour each day after work completing his apprenticeship coursework.

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"If I leave it until later, life gets in the way," he says. "I'd rather get it done while I'm still in work mode."

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Gary says that consistency is what makes Devin stand out.

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"Being an apprentice takes commitment. You've got to turn up on time, do the bookwork and keep showing up every day. Devin's become a role model for the younger apprentices because he understands that."

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It's not just Devin's work ethic that impresses.

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"He's a nice fella, he's motivated, he's got initiative and people enjoy working with him," says Gary.

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"At the end of the day, employers want people they can rely on. If I give Devin a job, I know he'll give it his best shot every time."

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Support from Competenz has also been an important part of Devin's apprenticeship journey.

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"James is always there if you need help," says Devin. "He'll send through resources and make sure you're staying on track."

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Gary says Competenz Training Advisor James McRae plays an important role in keeping apprentices progressing.

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"James has a great way of connecting with apprentices. He keeps them accountable, keeps them progressing and reassures them they're on the right track."

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For James, Devin's turnaround has been remarkable.

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"He was initially a long way behind but then made up his mind to get going, completing close to 100 credits in his final year, which was an outstanding achievement.

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"Devin's skillset and maturity also stood out, earning the respect of his peers for the quality of work he produced.

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"Culham Engineering's apprenticeship programme is second to none. The equipment, technology and range of work gives apprentices a unique set of skills, while Gary has created a fantastic learning culture with dedicated study facilities and after-work study groups that genuinely help apprentices succeed."

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For Culham Engineering, investing in apprentices is about much more than filling vacancies.

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The company currently supports 27 apprentices and sees training as essential to maintaining the skilled workforce needed to deliver complex infrastructure projects across New Zealand.

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"We need people with the right skills who can mobilise quickly," says Gary.

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"When the global fuel crisis hot this year, we were asked to help with the Marsden Point fuel infrastructure project. Being in a position to respond almost overnight because we'd invested in building that capability was reassuring."

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Gary says apprenticeship training is also central to Culham Engineering's commitment to the Northland community.

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"A lot of former apprentices have gone on to leadership positions here and throughout the industry. That's something we're incredibly proud of."

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For Devin, the award is an important milestone – but not the destination.

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"I'd like to move into project management eventually," he says.

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"I'd love to be involved in a major fabrication project, something like a skyscraper, and be the person coordinating how it all comes together."

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Few would bet against him.

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