Invercargill-based plumbing apprentice Jesse Dodd has won a Plumbing World Scholarship at the national New Zealand Plumbing awards in Australia overnight.

Five Plumbing World Scholarships were presented to top apprentices completing their qualifications through the Master Plumbers-owned Masterlink mentored training scheme.

Mr Dodd, who is a second-year plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying apprentice at Baxter and Neilson Plumbers Ltd, was entered for the scholarship by his Masterlink mentor Brendan Parker, who described him as "hard working" and "mature beyond his 19 years".

"Jesse loves what he does, wants to make a real impact and has already done so with everyone he meets," Mr Parker said.

A keen hockey player, hunter, tramper and surfer, Mr Dodd recently signed up for the 10km Queenstown Marathon in November to help raise funds for mental health.

Following a report on poor mental health in construction by independent construction research organisation BRANZ, the industry has put strong focus on addressing the issue.

Mr Dodd's recognition of the need to raise awareness was to be admired, Mr Parker said.