Tag: Apprenticeships

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Mums in the trades

Having mouths to feed is a powerful motivator to work hard and build a successful career. With Mother’s Day just around the corner, we share the stories of three mums building their trades careers, and we look at why hiring parents can be good for business.

The trades industry offers great opportunities for mothers who want a stable and rewarding career.

Mums with trades skills can expect to earn a good living to support their families. There’s a range of well-paid roles available in the growing industry, and statistics show women in the trades get paid the same as men for equal work.

To celebrate Mother’s Day, we look at why employers value parents as part of a trades team, and share the experiences of mums who are working in the industry.

Added motivation

When it comes to needing a great reason to get to work in the morning, having children to support is hard to beat.

Sarah Peraua

Sarah Peraua, who has a seven-year-old son and one-month-old twin boys, says her children help her to be even more driven to succeed in her career.

“It definitely gives me motivation to work harder for my children and my family. I want to set a good example for my kids.”

Sarah’s employer Amon Johnson, director of Complete Build, says hiring parents has advantages for businesses.

“From an employer’s point of view, I find that people who have children are more reliable. Obviously they’ve got to support their children, so their motivation to get to work can be a lot greater than that of people who don’t have children.”

Camille McKewin, mother to six-year-old Madelin, was driven to start her own business after training in the trades. This allowed her to have more control over her schedule and spend more time with her daughter.

Camille McKewen

“That’s the good thing about having your own business. Working for yourself, you don’t have to work nine to five. It’s all on your terms.”

Being flexible

Of course, having children does come with challenges for parents in the trades.

A common issue is that trades jobs can have earlier starting times than the traditional 9am-5pm schedule.

Elaine Pereira, who is married with children aged two and four, needed to negotiate her working hours to allow for dropping her son at daycare in the mornings.

“They let me know the hours they needed me to work, and I told them I needed to talk to my family because a 7.30am start wasn’t going to work for me. My kid’s daycare doesn’t open until 8am, so that’s the earliest I can drop him off, which means I won’t be at work until 8.30.”

Her employer Trucks and Trailers, where Elaine is now working as an apprentice, offered her a job with a slightly later start than usual.

“They just asked whether I’d be able to come in early on the odd occasion if they needed me. And I’m happy to be flexible if they do need me to come in, especially because they’ve been flexible with me. It’s worked out well.”

Amon says all employment relationships require a bit of give and take.

“At the end of the day, that’s life, and you can’t expect a parent with a sick child to come to work. Employers have to be a bit flexible around parenting. I would say a large majority of employers are parents themselves, so they probably have empathy for that.”

The key to managing absent employees comes down to being organised, says Amon, who is a parent of twins.

“As long as the business has strategies to cope with things like sickness or absenteeism due to kids, it’s something that can be managed.

“The rest of the team might have to stay a bit later to meet our deadlines if someone’s away, but everyone understands that. My team is pretty good with picking up the slack if someone has to stay home with a sick child – and their co-workers who are parents do the same thing for them if they happen to be sick, so it’s really just a team thing.”

Finding support

For many mums, whānau support to help care for their children is key to balancing work and family life.

Sarah says her parents have been there to look after her eldest son when she’s needed to work.

“My mum picks up my son after she finishes work so I can continue working until five o’clock. She sometimes takes him to morning school care as well. And if I wanted to work on Saturdays, my parents would both look after him.”

Elaine shares household responsibilities with her husband to ensure she has time for her work and apprenticeship.

“When I need to do my studies he’ll look after the kids, which is fantastic. With cooking dinner, doing the washing and cleaning the house, we share that work.”

Open communication

Elaine says communicating openly with your employer is especially important for parents.

“Just being open when you’re applying for a job, telling them straight-up what things you can and can’t do, and having that open line of communication with my employer really helped me.

“They know that if my kids are sick and I can’t get anyone else to come pick them up, then I’ll have to leave, and they’re really good with that.”

Amon says with good communication, an employer can better plan around any constraints in the employee’s schedule.

“When I hire people I tell them that if they need to pick their child up at a certain time each day, let me know at the beginning so I can fit that into my programme. As long as I know about it, I can make sure I don’t book them to be working at those times.”

He adds that all employees require some flexibility whether they’re parents or not – from sick days to time off for a dentist appointment.

“For example, I’ve got guys here who are Jehovah’s Witnesses who have one day a week off. So I know they are a four-day worker, and I don’t try to take on work for a five-day worker. A lot of it comes down to organisation.”

The business case for hiring parents:

    • Reliable workers:

Parents can have more experience with meeting their obligations and taking their responsibilities seriously. This helps them to be reliable at work, too.

    • Committed employees:

Parents have mouths to feed, so they’ll be motivated to work hard and have stable employment, says Amon Johnson, director of Complete Build. “From a business perspective, I prefer to employ parents because of that motivation and drive.”

    • Provide support:

By hiring parents, you’ll be helping them support their children, says Amon. “From a moral standpoint, I’d like parents to have a job to be able to support their families.”

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Engineering his future

Junior at work
Sometimes the path to a trades career isn’t a straight line. After trying his hand at automotive, switching to welding and spending months looking for work in Taranaki, Junior Mehau is now powering through an engineering apprenticeship thanks to his ambition, work ethic, and drawing on his networks in the trades.

One of the first things you’ll notice when you meet apprentice Junior Mehau is his ambition, reckons Marty Mitchell from Fairbrother Industries.

“Junior’s what you’d call a go-getter. He wants to be thought of as the number-one guy,” says Marty, who is the production manager and Junior’s boss.

“He sees what everyone else is doing and tries to do that little bit better – he’s quite competitive like that. And of course, when you’ve got a guy like that, no-one wants to be left behind, so he tends to motivate the whole team.”

Straight away, Junior made it clear he was looking to move up in his career, says Marty.

“The first time I met him he came up and said, ‘Hi, I’m Junior, what do I need to do to become the foreman here?’

“I said, ‘Well, it’s really simple. First you’ve got to finish your apprenticeship, and second you’ve got to be the guy everyone wants on the team.’ And he’s been responsive to that – he’s pretty sharp.”

Changing lanes

But the road to an apprenticeship has involved a few detours for Junior. In fact, the first trade that grabbed his interest wasn’t engineering, it was his hobby – automotive.

“I like cars and I’m good with my hands,” says Junior. “I thought it would be a move in the right direction.”

He spent a few years tuning up his automotive skills, and with his dad being from Manihiki in the Cook Islands and his mum from Suva in Fiji, he qualified for an MPTT scholarship.

But with a taste of what life on the job would be like, Junior decided he wanted to keep his work with cars as a relaxing hobby, not his livelihood.

“I realised if I want to do stuff to my own cars, then I don’t really want to be doing that as a job.”

Marty says experiences like Junior’s aren’t wasted, since they all help develop the skills needed to build a career in the trades.

“Other mechanical style trades, such as automotive, are all about a logical approach to maintenance that’s very similar to engineering. Plus any trades training you do has key literacy and numeracy parts to it, which reinforces the basic building blocks that everyone needs to have.

“The process also forces you to take a disciplined approach to what you’re doing, and young people often need that. So by doing other trades and having other experiences, it all works towards Junior being better at what he does.

“All those skills are building blocks towards a bigger whole. Any time you can fill in some of those blocks outside of your immediate situation, it’s immensely beneficial.”

Joining forces

The 26-year-old later studied welding, and after enjoying the work and gaining some on-the-job experience, Junior discovered he wanted to focus his efforts on the engineering trade.

Although his focus changed as he progressed through the trades, MPTT was there to offer support and practical help throughout. Even when Junior left Auckland, having lined up a potential engineering job in Taranaki, MPTT project manager Kirk Sargent connected him with Taranaki Futures – an organisation that offers similar services to MPTT.

Staying in touch with MPTT
MPTT Auckland Project Manager Kirk Sargent called into see Junior and Scarlet as part of his visit to New Plymouth to meet with Taranaki Futures

When the opportunity in Taranaki didn’t pan out as expected, Junior eventually returned to Auckland.

“I was wanting to go into the gas and oil industry. I was sort of promised a job from an engineering company but when I got there, they said the work was dropping off so they couldn’t take me on.”

With Junior back in Auckland, MPTT connected him with Iani Nemani at industry training organisation Competenz – one of MPTT’s partners. With help from Iani, Junior eventually found an engineering job making farm equipment for Fairbrother Industries in Auckland.

“I still do a lot of welding, because I build the bases for our machines,” says Junior. “I also like that I get to do new stuff and learn new things on the job.”

He’s now two years into an apprenticeship that covers the full spectrum of engineering, including mechanical engineering, maintenance, fabrication, welding and machining.

Marty says while Junior is learning all aspects of engineering, his personality does favour larger projects where the impact of his work is more clear.

“To me he seems more focused on the fabrication and welding side because it fits with his personality. He can build a big thing and look at it and see his accomplishment. But on the machining side you’re only making a small part of a bigger thing, so I don’t believe he’d get the same amount of satisfaction out of that.

“I think he likes taking a big pile of metal and making it into something worthwhile.”

Junior Mehau is proud of his engineering work
Junior Mehau with some of the agricultural equipment he helped to build in his current job at Fairbrother Industries
Taking the lead

With his drive to excel on the job, it’s not surprising that Junior has big plans for the future.

“I want to own my own business one day and do my own thing – to put my little two cents into the engineering world.”

With a wife and two-year-old daughter, supporting his family is a big motivation for Junior.

“I want to move up in my career to get us a better life, and they think that’s awesome.”

Marty says Junior is well on his way to achieving his goals for the future.

“The first part of becoming a leader is you’ve got to want to be one. You’ve got to want to be able to improve the people working with you. By wanting that, Junior’s already sort of halfway there.

“To be a leader in engineering you’ve got to know engineering as well – it’s impossible to be an apprentice and also be the foreman. But once Junior’s finished his apprenticeship, that means he’s got all the knowledge he needs.”

Junior encourages those who are thinking about learning a trade to step up and take action.

“Don’t be scared, just go for it – anything’s possible. You’ve got to take the step and go for what you want, because you’re not going to get it if you just sit back and wait for it.”

Employer Spotlight: Fairbrother Industries

This year marks 40 years in business for Fairbrother Industries, which specialises in manufacturing industry-leading farming equipment such as post drivers. Production manager Marty Mitchell says apprentices are a crucial part of the team. “We’ve always offered apprenticeships and have had a number of Māori and Pasifika apprentices over the years. We currently have two apprentices on the books and are always open to more – we’re always looking for the next bunch of leaders to come through.”

Competenz

Competenz is an Industry Training Organisation (ITO) and apprenticeship provider. Like other ITOs, Competenz develops national trades qualifications and helps make sure the industry has a continuous supply of skilled workers to grow New Zealand businesses. Iani Nemani, trades career advisor, Pasifika, says Competenz is always happy to help trainees find work in their trade. “One way of supporting industry is to connect young people like Junior with employers and industry training, ensuring they have the opportunity to earn while they learn and become qualified without the fuss.”

What you can learn from Junior
  • Want to impress your new boss? Ask them for advice on how you can achieve your career goals. This shows your ambition and enthusiasm for your trade, which are traits employers are always looking for. Plus, it lets your boss know what you want for your future (such as an apprenticeship or management position) which means they’re better able to help you get there.
  • Worried you might choose the wrong career? Iani Nemani from Competenz says the key is to give something a go, like Junior. “Choosing a career is big business. In Junior’s case, he did the right thing – he tried a few things out before finally choosing what he’s most passionate about. At the end of the day, the most important thing for young people is to start something, and then as Junior did, settle on the career that you’re most interested in.”
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Mechanic’s break of a lifetime

Think you can’t land a great job straight out of your studies? Find out how Jason Pou’s positive attitude, work experience and enthusiasm helped him score an apprenticeship at luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz shortly after finishing his course.

Jason Pou admits to feeling a bit out of his depth when he went for an interview with Mercedes-Benz a few months ago.

The 26-year-old West Aucklander had only recently graduated from autotronics at Unitec and had spent no time in a proper automotive workshop.

“When I found out about the Mercedes job, I thought I’d give it a shot. But I imagined they’d only hire well-experienced people,” Jason says.

However, Jason had been in touch with automotive industry training organisation MITO – one of MPTT’s partners. Seeing that Jason presented well and had a great attitude, MITO put in a recommendation for him with Mercedes.Having initially thought his chances of getting the job were slim, Jason jumped at the chance to meet his potential employer for an interview.

“They took me around the workshop and there were cars I’d never seen before. So flash – it was crazy. There were cars selling for well over $100,000. It was a bit overwhelming.”

Despite his lack of workshop experience, Jason had plenty of work-readiness skills to show from his nine years in retail at Supercheap Auto.

Being able to show he was a reliable worker with a get-up-and-go attitude clearly shone through and he landed the job – much to his surprise.

“I wasn’t expecting that at all! I’m starting in January and can’t wait.”

Opening doors

MITO’s acting regional manager Mark Lawrence says the training organisation had previously interviewed Jason and was happy to recommend him when the role at Mercedes came up.

“He was work ready and knew what he wanted to do. We were happy with the way he interviewed and his motivation and passion for the trade. Plus he was already working, which showed his good work ethic.”

The role at Mercedes is a fantastic and sought-after opportunity that Jason has managed to secure, says Mark.

“Every mechanic dreams of working on nice cars. Working for a company like Mercedes-Benz is prestigious and it’s an opportunity that doesn’t come up very often. Jason’s achievement is the outcome we’re always looking for.”

Jason’s story is proof that employers in the trades sector place value on candidates having a positive attitude and willingness to learn. They also look for employment experience, even if it’s from a different sector – like in Jason’s case.

Why not get paid for it?

Despite working his way up to an assistant manager position at Supercheap Auto, Jason finally made the decision to pursue an automotive career last year.

“I’ve been fixing my cars at home since I’ve had a car and I thought, ‘Why not get paid for it? I pretty much do that anyway.’

“If I want to get a bit of money and go somewhere in 10 years time, I want a better paying job than I could have gotten without a qualification. I’ve already got a good base knowledge of how to fix cars so that made me go and learn it as a trade.”

Shifting out of neutral

Jason’s only regret is waiting so long to get a formal qualification.

“I was thinking about studying for years but it was hard to leave my job. I’d applied for an automotive course after high school but it was too full.

“I got a full-time job and I kept thinking about applying to study,but then I’d get a promotion at work. Now I wish I gone to study and get a trade earlier.”

After eventually making the decision to get a trade qualification, Jason successfully completed a 12-month Certificate in Autotronics at Unitec.

Being of Ngapuhi descent, he was eligible for a full-fees scholarship from Māori and Pasifika Trades Training Auckland, plus ongoing coaching from one of our Navigators.

“Getting the scholarship was great because it meant I didn’t have to pay for my fees. Now I don’t have much of a student loan to pay, so that’s a big help.”

Through his job at Mercedes, Jason will now be working towards MITO’s New Zealand Certificate in Automotive Engineering – Light Vehicle. He will also benefit from support from an advisor at MITO, to help him complete his qualification.

 

Jason Pou receiving scholarship
Jason Pou receiving MITO scholarship from Brian Messer and Mark Lawrence at Unitec Awards Evening, 13 November 2017

 

Avoiding the shortcuts

Jason will be working for Mercedes as an apprentice mechanic and he’s excited about his future.

“I definitely wanted to do an apprenticeship. It will probably take me about three years to complete but it means I’ll be fully qualified so I can work around the world one day if I want to.”

And in case you’re wondering what kind of car Jason drives, it’s a deceptively-quick Mazdaspeed Axela turbo.

“I like being out in it because, when people pull up beside me, they think it’s a nana car. But it’s a 2.3 litre turbo so it’s way faster than they realise!”

Are you interested in a career as a mechanic or automotive technician? Find out more about how to train, where to train, and how to find an apprenticeship.

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Qualified! Hawkins Māori & Pasifika Apprentice Scheme

Earlier this month, we celebrated four of our trainees becoming qualified tradesmen under the guidance of their respective mentors in the Hawkins Māori & Pasifika apprentice scheme.
Bo Waitere

Bo started his electrical apprenticeship in December 2014 with Caldwell & Levesque Electrical and now proudly has his own C&L van as a qualified electrician.

Jerome Holland

Jerome started his electrical apprenticeship in December 2014 also with Caldwell & Levesque Electrical and again proudly wears his new title of a qualified electrician.

Qualified electricians, Bo Waitere and Jerome Holland
Bo Waitere, left and Jerome Holland, right, with their mentor, Graeme Cox
Mackenzie Buchan

Mackenzie started his carpentry apprenticeship in March 2014 with Livefirm Construction and recently completed his apprenticeship with Hawkins. 

Certified Carpenter Mackenzie Buchan
Mackenzie Buchan, right, with his mentor Paul Wikiriwhi
Aarona Kingi-Paparoa

Aaron started his carpentry apprenticeship in December 2012 with Livefirm Construction and completed his last few years with CLM Carpenters. 

Certified Carpenter Aarona King-Paparoa
Aarona Kingi-Paparoa with his mentor, Richard Hughes

These boys had their own trials and tribulations to battle throughout their apprenticeship and have come out on top! Each of them should be so proud. Ngā mihi nui to all our mentors for seeing the boys through their apprenticeship adventures! 

C&L Apprentice of the year

In another win for the Hawkins Māori & Pasifika apprentice programme, Talmage Park has won the 2017 C&L Apprentice of the Year award. Talmage is pictured above receiving the award on-site from Stuart Caldwell. 

Caldwell & Levesque Electrical currently employs over 30 apprentices, six of whom came to us through the Hawkins Māori & Pasifika apprentice scheme.

Talmage has done extremely well this year in all facets of his apprenticeship: academically, with his unit standard sign-offs; and with his work on site. He is a positive but humble young man with a ‘can do’ attitude and is a very worthy recipient of this award.

Upon receiving the award Talmage said: “I can’t wait to show my mum”. What a great response from this young man with a big future!

C&L Apprentice of the year award winner Talmage Park
Congratulations to Talmage Park, pictured left, receiving the C&L Apprentice of the Year Award from Stuart Caldwell

 

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Four types of jobs – which one leads to a career?

Job vs Apprenticeship
You know you need to get a job in the trades industry, but did you know there are different types of job contracts? The type of job you take on can be the difference between getting paid to build a career in your trade, and just making some cash.

The difference between job contracts is confusing for many trainees.

“At first I didn’t really understand the differences,” says MPTT trainee Toni Rhind. “I thought if I was working in my trade, it must count towards my apprenticeship.”

But it’s not as complicated as it sounds. There are basically four types of job contracts when you’re starting out in the trades:

1. An apprenticeship
2. A job that leads to an apprenticeship
3. A job that just pays the bills (e.g. being a labourer)
4. Working as a contractor

Read on to learn about the different types of contracts, and work out which one is right for you. And if you have questions about a job offer or contract, have a chat with your MPTT navigator.

YOUR BEST OPTION: An apprenticeship

If you want a long-lasting career in your trade, an apprenticeship is what you’re aiming for.

An apprenticeship is more than a job – you’ll be working towards your qualification. According to apprenticeship provider MITO, that means completing practical assessments at work to prove you can do certain tasks, as well as doing some off-job training in a classroom. When you’ve finished your apprenticeship, you’ll be qualified in your trade.

How do you know if you’re in an apprenticeship rather than just a job? Hayden Toomer from BCITO, which provides apprenticeships in building and construction, says an apprenticeship is a contract between three parties:

1. You, the trainee
2. Your employer
3. An apprenticeship provider, such as:

BCITO (building and construction)
MITO (automotive)
Competenz (butchery, refrigeration and air conditioning, welding and fabrication)
Skills (electrical, plumbing and gasfitting)
Connexis (infrastructure)
HITO (hairdressing)
Primary ITO (horticulture and landscaping)
ServiceIQ (hospitality)

“All three parties need to agree to it,” says Hayden. “If you’re starting an apprenticeship with us, BCITO will come out and visit you. We’ll run through the full process with the trainee, show them what’s involved, get all the contracts signed and arrange the payment of annual fees. If that hasn’t happened, there’s no apprenticeship.”

According to Hayden, you’ll have the best chance of scoring an apprenticeship if:

You’re up-front about what you want. “I believe when a young person meets a prospective employer, they need to tell them, ‘Look, I just finished a pre-trades course, I’m really keen to be involved in the construction industry and I want to complete my apprenticeship to become a qualified carpenter.’ It’s about the trainee being involved in their own future and being proactive.”

You work hard. “It’s about doing yourself a favour by turning up, working hard, having a good attitude and being a team player,” says Hayden.

You know you’re an apprentice when:
  • You have an agreement with both your employer and an apprenticeship provider.
  • You’ve paid a fee, or your employer has paid a fee, to the apprenticeship provider.
  • You’re working towards getting qualified. As you learn and practise new skills, you’ll record what you’ve done and your employer will sign off on it.
  • As well as working, you might attend classes at a polytechnic, such as Unitec or Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT).
Advantages:
  • You’ll be getting paid to learn.
  • You’ll be working towards your qualification.
  • Your employer will be actively helping you build your skills.
  • Once you’re qualified, you’ll be in high demand and can earn a lot more money.
Keep in mind:
  • Apprentices may get paid a bit less than labourers and hammerhands – but remember you’ll soon be earning a lot more when you’re qualified, says Hayden. “If you’re not in an apprenticeship, your pay rate may not increase over time, whereas with an apprenticeship you’ll increase the rate you’re paid as you learn more. Give up the slightly higher money now to get your apprenticeship, and once you’ve got your trade, you’ll get good money consistently.”
  • If you start an apprenticeship and then get offered another apprenticeship for a bit more pay, think twice before you change employers, says Hayden. “An apprenticeship is a contract, and by changing employers you’ll break that contract. Then you’ll probably need to go through another trial period with your new employer before continuing your apprenticeship.”
Case Study: Waru Pairama
With his solid work readiness skills, Waru managed to land an apprenticeship after just a month of working for KB Construction. “I think it was just, you know, being organised,” says Waru. “I had my drivers licence, I had a car, I had good references – my manager and rugby league coach backed me and said I had a good attitude. It was about ticking all the boxes.”

Scholarship award ceremony

A GOOD OPTION: A job that leads to an apprenticeship

When an employer takes you on as an apprentice, they’re investing time and money in training you. So before they commit to your apprenticeship, they’ll often want you to complete a trial period.

During your trial, you’ll be employed and paid by the company, but you won’t be working towards your qualification yet. After a set amount of time that you agree on with your employer (such as 90 days), you’ll start the apprenticeship.

Hayden says this is a good way to get started.

“I think the hardest thing is to get a job in the industry. Once you’ve got a job, whether or not you start your apprenticeship immediately or six months or 12 months down the track, it’s all valuable learning.”

However, make sure your employer knows you want to become an apprentice, and ask them how you can get there.

“You need to set the stage right at the start, so the employer knows they’re not just hiring a hammerhand or a labourer,” says Hayden.

You know your job is leading to an apprenticeship when:
  • You’ve talked to your employer and agreed on a trial period before your apprenticeship starts. It’s a good idea to ask to get it in writing, to make sure you’re on the same page.
  • The company has had apprentices before (unless it’s a small company and you’ll be their first apprentice). This shows they have a process in place for getting their workers qualified.
Advantages:
  • You can make sure you like your boss and your team before you commit to an apprenticeship.
  • You can start gaining on-the-job experience and getting paid immediately.
  • You know what you need to do to move into an apprenticeship.
Keep in mind:
  • It’s up to you to let your employer know you’d like an apprenticeship.
  • There’s no perfect time to start an apprenticeship so just begin as soon as you can, says Hayden. “A lot of people procrastinate and say ‘I’ll get onto my apprenticeship later; I’m not ready to do it yet; I’m not sure if I really want to do this’. A year or two later I see them and they’re still doing the same job, and they could have been halfway through their apprenticeship.”
Case Study: Toni Rhind
When Toni started working for Ray Smith Engineering, she made sure her boss knew she wanted to eventually get qualified. “An apprenticeship was something I brought up with my employer, because I thought it would be beneficial to work towards getting qualified. He said, ‘We’ll see how you go and if you’re good enough, we’ll look at an apprenticeship when you finish your course’.” Toni is due to finish her mechanical engineering course in June next year, and in the meantime is working hard to earn her apprenticeship.
TRY TO AVOID: A job that just pays the bills

This is where you’re employed by a company, but there’s no plan to get you into an apprenticeship – such as being hired as a labourer or hammerhand.

While you might take one of these jobs temporarily, remember you need to work towards getting qualified if you want a career in your trade rather than just a job.

It can be tempting to get a job as a labourer or hammerhand when you’ve got bills to pay. With the current demand for workers, it’s relatively easy to find a job, and you might even get a good hourly rate.

But even though the pay seems good now, you’re unlikely to get much of a pay rise without getting qualified – and that means getting an apprenticeship.

You know your job won’t lead to an apprenticeship if:

  • There’s no plan for you to have a conversation about an apprenticeship with your boss, such as after a trial period.
  • You’ve talked to your employer and they said they can’t offer you an apprenticeship.

Advantages:

  • You get paid for the work you do.
  • You can put the job on your CV to help show your work readiness and practical skills.

Keep in mind:

  • Even though you might get a higher hourly rate as a labourer than you would in an apprenticeship, getting qualified will mean you can earn much more in the future.
  • To build a lasting and rewarding career in the trades you need to get qualified, which means getting an apprenticeship.
  • Right now, the construction boom makes it easier for less skilled workers to get a job and a good hourly rate. But if the demand for labour drops, those who aren’t qualified yet will find it much harder to get well-paid work.
Case Study: Jaxon Kuvarji
Jaxon worked in the automotive industry for 10 years before he decided to get qualified, and wishes he’d made the move sooner. “Don’t leave it too late like I did. I’ve got friends who are at the same stage as me now in their career, but they’re six or seven years younger than me. If I’d done my qualification when I was their age, I’d be so much more set, says Jaxon, who has now completed his apprenticeship.

GET ADVICE IF YOU ARE: Working as a contractor

If you’re just starting out, you should get advice before taking on this option. As a contractor, you’re actually self-employed. So, even though you’re getting paid to work for a company and might even be able to get an apprenticeship (where you have a contract with both the company you work for and an apprenticeship provider), you’ll need to pay your own taxes and cover your own costs.

Running your own business is a whole other skill set, so while you’re getting qualified in your trade, having an employment contract is better than being a contractor. That way, you can focus on building your trades skills while your employer takes care of the business side of things.

As a contractor, you also won’t necessarily get the sick pay and annual leave that employees are entitled to.

Having said that, many apprentices do start out as contractors. If you’re offered an apprenticeship as a contractor, you’ll still be working towards your qualification – but you should get advice on how to manage your work and pay your taxes. As a start, talk to your MPTT navigator – they’ll be able to help you find the information you need and answer your questions.

Legally, a contractor can usually decide when they work and how they complete a job. So, if you’re a contractor but the company you work for decides the hours you work and supervises you, and you’re doing ongoing work for them (rather than a one-off project), talk to your MPTT navigator. They can give you advice on what you’re entitled to, and help you form a plan to speak with your boss about upgrading to an employment contract.

You know you’re working as a contractor if:

  • The company isn’t paying tax for you. Check your pay slip – if the company is paying tax on your behalf (called PAYE or withholding tax), that information should be on your pay slip.
  • If you’re sick or need a day off, you don’t get paid.
  • There’s no guarantee that you’ll be doing ongoing work for the company.

Find out more about the differences between an employee and a contractor.

Advantages:

  • Once you have your qualification, you might be able to charge a higher rate as a contractor and earn more than as an employee.

Keep in mind:

  • Being self-employed is a big learning curve, so it’s best to get advice when you’re starting out – such as talking to your MPTT navigator.
  • Being a contractor is a lot of responsibility. For example, you’ll need to work out how much tax to pay the government and make sure you pay it on time, or hire an accountant to do this for you.
  • Because you’re not employed by the company, you might not get sick leave or holiday pay.

Need advice about a job contract? Get in touch with your MPTT navigator.

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Wired for Success

Getting an apprenticeship – not just a job – is the key to a rewarding career in the trades. That’s the view of electrical trainee Ioane McNiell-Temese, who began his apprenticeship at Coll Electrical in August this year.

“I thought it was really important to get qualified. It’s something I’ll have behind me for the rest of my life. What’s three years of training compared to a life of just labouring?”

More than a job

So what’s the difference between a job and an apprenticeship?

“Getting a job means you get paid to work for an employer,” says Tony Laulu, Pacific Advisor at Skills. “This can be a good start, but does mean the employer hasn’t necessarily committed to helping you get qualified.

“On the other hand, getting an apprenticeship means you’re actively working towards your qualification while you get paid. This includes spending some time at a polytechnic course as well as learning on the job. As an apprentice, your employer has committed to helping you get your qualification.”

Ioane, who is being supported by MPTT Auckland, could see the advantages of landing an apprenticeship.

“It opens up more doors than just being a labourer or driving a digger. Maybe in the future I can go to Australia or even start my own business.”

The 21-year-old, who is half Samoan, is quick to encourage other trainees to take the same path, if they get the chance.

“Get your apprenticeship as soon as you can. If you think you’re ready, even a little bit ready, you’re ready. Go out and do it – it’s much better than sitting in a classroom everyday; you’re making money while you study.”

Ioane was doing a Certificate in Electrical Engineering Theory (Level 3) at Manukau Institute of Technology when the opportunity arose to join the workforce.

His MPTT navigator Travis Fenton introduced Ioane to Pat Coll, founder of Coll Electrical.

“Pat asked me to come in just for a chat, and that chat turned out to be the interview,” says Ioane. “That’s how I got the job – easy as that.”

A win-win

Pat, who’s trained about 180 electrical apprentices since starting Coll Electrical back in 1985, says apprenticeships are a win-win, offering big benefits to both aspiring tradies and employers.

“Taking on apprentices is the right thing to do. It’s better for them, and it’s better for us,” he says.

“You’re giving workers an opportunity to up-skill, which means they can get paid more. A lot of people who get an apprenticeship find out they’re quite good at it and they get better and better. You see people grow, and it’s a neat feeling actually.”

Pat says more employers should consider taking on apprentices, rather than just hiring labourers.

“Why have a labourer when you can have an apprentice who’s just going to get better and better?

Hands-on skills

Having previously worked as a chef, Ioane’s now loving the chance to work in a more physical job.

“I’m really enjoying the work. It’s a bit different to the old cooking job! It’s more physical than I thought. I’m doing civil work at the moment, so I’ve been putting up street poles for the past month or so. The spade has been my friend.”

As part of his apprenticeship, Ioane will complete his Level 3 and Level 4 while he works. He’s doing his apprenticeship through Skills, and will spend one day in a classroom every fortnight – while still being paid.

Pat says he doesn’t mind losing his apprentices when they go off-site to study.

“Skills is very good. They come in and sign the apprentices up, they assign them to which tech they’re going, and we just keep an eye on it. I have apprentices who I don’t have any issues with right through their apprenticeship. They go to tech, we sign off their book, they do their job, we pay them. It’s great – couldn’t be better.”

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Better for them, better for us

Apprenticeships better for everyone
Why hire a labourer when you can hire an apprentice? That’s the opinion of Auckland business owner Pat Coll, who’s trained about 180 electrical apprentices since starting Coll Electrical back in 1985.
A win-win

Pat says apprenticeships are a win-win, offering big benefits to both aspiring tradies and employers.

“Taking on apprentices is the right thing to do. It’s better for them, and it’s better for us,” he says.

“You’re giving workers an opportunity to up-skill, which means they can get paid more. A lot of guys who get an apprenticeship find out they’re quite good at it and they get better and better. You see guys grow, and it’s a neat feeling actually”.

“But it’s also good for us. Probably about 80% of our staff are people we’ve trained. A lot of them have gone overseas to travel, and they come back and become part of the management team. Most of our guys have been trained under us. It creates a bit of loyalty”.

Pat says more employers should consider taking on apprentices, rather than just hiring labourers.

“Why have a labourer when you can have an apprentice who’s just going to get better and better?

“To be honest, because of the size we are, it’s easy to train apprentices. It’s nothing major – no more than if we were taking on a labourer, no more than another staff member.”

Pat isn’t alone in finding apprenticeships valuable for business. Recent research by BCITO found for every $1 spent on training, a business will benefit by an average of $4.70 in increased profit for up to 10 years.

Wired for success

Among Coll Electrical’s 65 staff is 21-year-old Ioane McNiell-Temese, who began his apprenticeship in August this year.

Ioane was doing a Certificate in Electrical Engineering Theory (Level 3) at Manukau Institute of Technology when the opportunity arose to join the workforce.

“Pat gave me a call after seeing a profile that Travis (an MPTT navigator) made of me. He asked me to come in just for a chat, and that chat turned out to be the interview. That’s how I got the job – easy as that.”

Ioane, who is half Samoan and being supported by MPTT Auckland, could see the advantage of landing an apprenticeship.

“I thought it was really important to get qualified. It’s something I’ll have behind me for the rest of my life. What’s three years of training compared to a life of just labouring?

“Maybe in the future I can go to Australia or even start my own business – it opens up more doors than just being a labourer or driving a digger.”

And Ioane is quick to encourage other trainees to take the same path, if they get the chance.

“Get your apprenticeship as soon as you can. If you think you’re ready, even a little bit ready, you’re ready. Go out and do it – it’s much better than sitting in a classroom everyday; you’re making money while you study.”

Hands-on skills

Having previously worked as a chef, Ioane’s also loving the chance to work in a more physical job. “I’m really enjoying the work. It’s a bit different to the old cooking job! It’s more physical than I thought. I’m doing civil work at the moment, so I’ve been putting up street poles for the past month or so. The spade has been my friend.”

As part of his apprenticeship, Ioane will complete his Level 3 and Level 4 while he works. He’s doing his apprenticeship through Skills, and will spend one day in a classroom every fortnight – while still being paid. Pat says he doesn’t mind losing his apprentices when they go off-site to study.

“Skills is very good. They come in and sign the apprentices up, they assign them to which tech they’re going, and we just keep an eye on it. I have apprentices who I don’t have any issues with right through their apprenticeship. They go to tech, we sign off their book, they do their job, we pay them. It’s great – couldn’t be better.”

Looking for an apprentice you can trust? Ask our navigators about finding the right employee who can add value to your business.

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‘I’ll make my whānau proud through my mahi’

Photo credit: Cameron Pratt

Waru Pairama started his trades training by enrolling in a construction course. But having already worked in other industries, he quickly realised he was ready for employment in the trades. Here’s how Waru turned his organisational skills and proactive attitude into an apprenticeship, and how he plans to give back to his whānau and community.

For Waru Pairama, becoming a builder is about much more than just earning a living. The 21-year-old apprentice has a vision to make a difference in his community, especially among the youth.

“In the future, I’d like to give back to my iwi and my community. You see a lot of young people now not going down the right track, getting into drugs, gangs, that kind of thing. I’d like to be an example for them, whether it’s going into schools or to a marae. I want to show them what you can achieve by learning a trade,” says Waru.

“I also want to give back to all my whānau that have been involved in my life and show that all the time and support they put into me wasn’t a waste. I’ll make them proud through my mahi.”

Ticking the boxes

Waru, whose iwi includes Ngāti Maniapoto, Tainui and Ngāti Whātua, had spent six years in Australia playing rugby league and working odd jobs. He returned home to Aotearoa in late 2016 to be closer to his whānau and focus on his career.

 

MPTT Scholarship Awards
Waru is awarded his MPTT scholarship early in 2017

In February this year he began a Certificate in Construction Trades – Carpentry Level 3 at Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT), and was awarded an MPTT scholarship. Early on in his course, Waru attended an MPTT event where he found out about the possibility of getting an apprenticeship – a job that includes the training required for a qualification.

By having solid work readiness skills, he managed to land an apprenticeship after just a few months.

“I think it was just, you know, being organised. I had my drivers licence, I had a car, I had good references – my manager and rugby league coach backed me and said I had a good attitude. It was about ticking all the boxes.”

Aiming high

MIT relationship manager Naomi Tito says she wasn’t surprised when Waru quickly found employment.

“He was extremely proactive in moving forward and securing an apprenticeship, and as a result was offered full-time employment with KB Construction. Within a month, the company offered him an apprenticeship.

“What impressed me with Waru is that he knows what his goals are. He is an example for his family and for many of his fellow students.”
Waru is currently focused on getting qualified through his apprenticeship, which is being managed by BCITO and is expected to be completed by 2020.

As well as working on his construction skills, Waru also attends Te Reo classes two nights a week. “I’m enjoying learning, and progressing slowly. It’s about getting back in touch with my Tikanga Māori.”

Hands-on experience

Waru says his upbringing showed him what hard work is all about, and he’s always enjoyed being outdoors.

“Growing up in New Zealand, I was on the marae around my whānau in the kitchen seeing them doing the mahi. That gave me an insight into practical hands-on mahi.

“Now that I’m working in construction, I love it. The senior builders really take the time to sit me down and run me through things. It’s fun being on the tools.”

He says having his fees paid for by MPTT, as well as support with finding employment, has been a huge help.

“It kicked me off really – MPTT was my support base. Naomi has been awesome. She helped me work out what direction I wanted to go to in terms of learning a trade. I didn’t really know what I needed to do, or what would put me in the best position to get the opportunity.”

Do you enjoy hands-on work like Waru? Find out more about a career in construction.

Waru Pairama (right) enjoys an MPTT event with his friend
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“You gotta want it”

Jerome Ramsay started out as a labourer, before deciding to get more skills under his belt through a trades qualification.

With help from MPTT Navigators, Jerome made contacts in the construction industry and found an apprenticeship. His hard work is paying off. Last year, Jerome was awarded the Carpentry Student of the Year award and is well on his way to being qualified.

“It’s a snowball effect – once you’re in a good place where you’re showing up to work every day, it boosts your confidence.”

Jerome Ramsay has made some big life changes to build his future in the trades. He shares his story in this video.

 

Video Transcript:
Jerome: I was labouring here and there and I never really thought about getting a qualification under my belt. I decided if I really wanted to make it in life, there were a few bad habits I had to kick. A few skills I had to learn.

A key moment was enrolling in Unitec, I didn’t know what was in store for me. It was a wonderful experience for me. I wouldn’t change it for the world.
I got the 2016 Carpentry Student of the Year Award, which was a big honour for me, I worked hard for it. I turned up on site early, always packing up gear.

They gave us a directional pathway and did a lot of networking for me, I got to meet a lot of good contacts in the construction industry. In terms of employment it gave me a really good head start.

I’m a registered apprentice, so I am getting my practical out of the way. I hopefully will be qualified within a couple of years. I work for Ingrown Construction, a small company but they are very thorough. Rick is a good fellow, he likes his work done fast and proper.

Rick (Employer): I think the first day I met him (Jerome), I said, “We start at 7am.” He said, “That’s brilliant, I’ll beat you hear every day”.
Its good. Jerome’s keen to learn, keen to know, that’s all you need really, the want, the drive.

Jerome: In terms of employment, (you need) the right attitude when approaching work. Things like work readiness, they’re just small but necessary steps.

You have to be drug-free. You can’t turn up to site hungover from the night before, it’s not a very professional outlook. You know you have to be functional onsite.

It’s like a snow-ball effect. Once you’re in a good place where you’re showing up to work every day, it boosts your confidence and you really want to get stuck in and become more dedicated than you were before.

Unitec and Māori and Pasifika Trades Training provided me the skills and resources for me to achieve throughout my academic studies.

You’ve got to want it, that’s the only way to succeed, you either want it or you don’t.
I’m out there every day, doing what I do.

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Young mum inspired by The Block

Sarah Peraua had never thought about becoming a builder – until she watched The Block on TV. Inspired to start a new career, Sarah is now using her skills to give back to her family and community.

Before Sarah Peraua started training to be a carpenter, the young mum from Auckland had barely swung a hammer.
 
“I wasn’t really into woodwork at school and I didn’t find it interesting. I was more into sewing,” she says. 

That all changed one evening back in 2014 when Sarah, who was out of work at the time, happened to watch The Block on television.

“As soon as I saw The Block, I thought, ‘That looks cool!’ I was really interested in seeing how everything is built, how a house comes together.”

Getting started

Sarah, a Cook Islander, looked into doing a carpentry course and heard about the Māori and Pasifika Trades Training scholarships.

“I was so happy when I got one. It gave me that extra push to make sure I finish the course. Because I’m on a scholarship I don’t want to waste that money.”

She completed her Level 4 Certificate in Applied Technology at Unitec last year – but juggling motherhood and study wasn’t easy.

“It’s been challenging and a bit hectic at times. Learning to use powertools has also been quite difficult for me.”

Family first

Pushing her forward all the time is Sarah’s desire to provide her son Ronny, aged 5, with a stable future.

“I’m pretty driven to be a role model for my son. I’m going to have early mornings and late nights, but in the end it’ll all be worth it.”

Although her parents were a bit skeptical about their daughter entering a male-dominated industry, the difference in Sarah’s confidence and mood has been obvious.

“She seems to be a lot happier now. It’s a big change really,” says dad, Ora.

Looking ahead

Sarah also dreams of using her trade to benefit others in the future. She was part of a team of trainees that volunteered their time and skills to build a retaining wall at Onehunga Primary School last October.

“It’s really nice helping others,” she says.

Fired up to work in Auckland’s booming construction sector, Sarah is now waiting to be offered a three-year apprenticeship through BCITO.

“My goal is to be a qualified builder within the next five years or so.”

And does she dream of building her own house, like on The Block?

“Probably in the next 30 years, once I’ve gained enough experience!” she says.

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You gotta do what you’re passionate about

Ngapo Wehi knew he didn’t want to be stuck in an office, so he decided to learn a trade. He’s now doing practical work he loves – and encouraging others to do the same.

Ngapo Wehi has never been an inside person, so when most of his mates headed to university, he decided to try a trade instead.

“At first I was going to go to university too and study sport and recreation. But I knew studying indoors wasn’t for me. Some of my other mates were doing building, so I thought I’d give it a go.”

Paying it forward

Ngapo, whose iwi includes Ngāti Porou, Ngāi Tūhoe, Te Aitanga a Mahaki, Apanui and Te Whakatōhea, studied building at Unitec and had his fees paid through a scholarship from Māori and Pasifika Trades Training.

He’s now two years into an apprenticeship with Constructa Built Ltd and enjoys his work so much that he tells other young people to consider a similar path.

“I’ve been encouraging a lot of my younger cousins, and even my friends’ younger siblings, to do a trade. It’s sort of like you’re studying for a degree but you can work at the same time – that’s what I like. You don’t have a $30,000 student loan to pay off at the end of it,” he says.

“It’s pretty cool to do something I enjoy and get paid at the same time.”

Future focused

Once he’s qualified, the 22-year-old plans to keep working for his current employer for a few years, to make sure he’s got a solid grounding in his trade.

“Then I want to start a business and go out on my own. Ever since I started working, the other guys were telling me that’s the way to go. Not only can you earn good money, it’s a good challenge for yourself.”

Ngapo, who lives with his partner and their six-month-old son, says it’s important to find work you enjoy because you’ll spend a lot of time doing it.

“You gotta be doing what you’re passionate about, and be in something you can see yourself doing every day. If you’re really passionate about being outside and seeing something through from start to finish, it’s awesome being in the trades.”