The New Zealand Contractors' Federation (NZCF) has announced the finalists for the Greenstone Energy People Awards 2010.

The awards, which include the Leader of Tomorrow and the Trainee of the Year titles, recognise outstanding achievements of individuals, below the age of 30, within the civil construction industry.

Contractors' Federation Chief Executive Jeremy Sole said there had been a very high calibre of entries and judges had faced a tough task selecting the finalists.

This year the awards have been restructured and, between July 21 and 23, the judging team will visit and interview each of the finalists in their workplaces.

Judges for the Leader of Tomorrow Award are: Lead Judge Tenby Powell, founder of Hunter Powell Investments Ltd and Director and past CEO of Hirepool & New Zealand Rental Group. Mr Powell's leadership experience spans both business and the military where he holds directorships with the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust and Government entity NZ Antarctica Trust. He holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the NZ Army and has held appointments of Deputy Chief of a UN peace keeping mission in the Middle East and Commanding Officer of the Auckland Infantry Battalion commander; Barry Brosnahan, Greenstone Energy (formerly Shell) Commercial Fuels Key Account Manager Wellington; Charlie Taylor, past NZCF president and CEO of Taylor's Contracting and David Giddens of InfraTrain the ITO for the Civil Infrastructure Industry.

The Leader of Tomorrow award carries a prize of $2,500. Finalists are: Anthony Rickard of Delta Utility Services, Dunedin; Chris Pearman of McConnell Dowell, Auckland; Terrence Gane - known as Ed - of Downer NZ, Napier; Samuel Paterson of Schick Construction and Paul Taylor of King Drilling, both from Hamilton.

Applicants are required to produce a minimum three page written biography outlining their personal drive and integrity and including their work history and projects to date, how they encourage strategic thinking, the results they have achieved and their experience in growing productive working relationships.

Charlie Taylor and David Giddens are the judges for the Trainee of the Year award which carries a prize of $1,500.

Finalists are: Deyn Palmer of Fletcher Construction in Tauranga; Hayden Smaill of Downer NZ, and Laila West of Whitestone Contracting, both from Dunedin; Matt Tomlin of Blackley Construction, Palmerston North, and Steven Davies of Allens United Drainage & Earthworks, Hamilton.

The finalists' work history and training record will be taken into account in the judging process as well as their personal presentation, attitude, verbal ability, understanding of questions and people interaction. They will be expected to demonstrate their level of commitment to expanding their skills and knowledge and their contribution to their company.

Winners will be announced at the Greenstone Energy lunch to be held at the New Zealand Contractors' Federation's annual conference in Nelson in August.