Tag: Success stories

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MPTT Navigators guide your journey into the trades

MPTT Navigators will be beside you for every step of your journey into the trades. They’re ready to help you succeed in your pre-trades training, find your first job, settle into your apprenticeship and become a leader in your trade. 

Each MPTT Navigator brings knowledge of the trades and insight into Māori and Pasifika culture. This equips them to understand you and help you find the right fit in employment – somewhere where you’ll have both opportunity and a sense of community.

Navigators will be there from the beginning

Navigators support trainees from the time they first start their course. And, of course, this means they can offer guidance on accessing your fee assistance and any other funding. Making the most of their knowledge of funding can be a game-changer. 

Fawn Marsh studied towards her Level 4 NZ Certificate in Cookery at Kiwa. She was thankful to have support from her MPTT Navigator, Hami Chapman, who stepped in to help get her payments sorted. 

“Hami gave me so much help. He organised a meeting with someone from Studylink to get everything sorted with my student allowance. I ended up getting paid that same week.”

Fawn Marsh

Makahn Warren-Chapman, an MPTT Navigator, says she’s helped students understand their support options for things such as devices.

“There are a few schemes that can help students with devices. We support ākonga to get their application for those and fill them out. We also help push their applications forward. We know that often, our Māori and Pasifika students are kind of left on the outskirts and don’t know how to advocate for themselves. So, we do a lot of that.”

Navigators are your personal guide

MPTT Navigators offer personal guidance on your path into the trades. They’re ready to listen, so they can help you overcome any challenges and fulfil your aspirations.

Morry Pairama, Hairdressing MIT graduate

Morrison (Morry) Pairama recently graduated from his pre-trades training in hairdressing. He has already secured his first role in a full-time position at Exile Hair and Design in Epsom. He says it was a great opportunity.

“It’s a great team, and I have beautiful, amazing clients. They love getting their hair done.”

Morris says the support from Naomi, MPTT Relationship Manager at MIT, was vital.

“She was always there if we needed her with anything, really.”

“I had quite a rough journey, and I needed to look after myself. But I could have utilised their support much earlier. Make the most of your Navigator; they’re there for a purpose. I wish I reached out more than I did, but I’m glad I got there in the end.”

Morris is now looking ahead to a bright future.

“I’d like to do my apprenticeship at Exile and then travel the world doing fashion shows. Eventually, I’d like to have my own business here in South Auckland – Otara will always be home.”

You’ll have a supporter for your study

Once you’re settled into your course, Navigators can help you stay on track and help you with study tips.

D’Troit Leef-Hema, who graduated as the MPTT outstanding scholar in Electrical Trades, says MPTT Navigators make you feel like you’re part of a family, even though you’re not related.

“My Navigator was like a big sister. She was always there keeping me in check, making sure I was going to my classes.”

He says the cultural understanding the Navigators brought is special.

“Navigators provide a lot of opportunities. It’s beautiful to have an organisation like MPTT that allows our Māori and Pasifika voices to be heard.”

He urges all MPTT tauira to make the most of the support Navigators offer.

“Don’t be afraid to take a risk and put your name out there – the worst that can happen is people say no.”

You’ll have help to get work-ready

MPTT Navigators help you get work-ready and develop soft skills that are essential in the workplace.

Makahn says, “One of the things we have identified is that people might not know how to write an effective CV, so we’ve developed a workshop that can assist with this. We also offer workshops about how to manage job interviews.”

Connections are critical

Networking for employment and apprenticeship is another critical area where MPTT Navigators make a significant impact. Your Navigator helps you understand how to make connections to secure apprenticeship opportunities and job offers.

Stormy Cruze Reihana has graduated from his pre-trades training in Plumbing, Gasfitting and Drainlaying at MIT. He says when he started out, he was trying to get into the trades on his own but then discovered MPTT scholarships and mentor support.

“Now, with what I know from my journey this year, I know it’s worth looking at your options. It can open up whole new pathways. For instance, we’ve visited Skills to hear about what they offer for apprenticeships, and there’s still more new information.”

MPTT Navigators are dedicated to the success of Māori and Pasifika learners in the trades sector. It means that in addition to funding, MPTT scholars have access to personal guidance, educational support, career development and networking.

If you’re ready to build a future in the trades, MPTT and its Navigators are here to help. Get in touch today to find out more.

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Ventia and MPTT prove the Power of Partnership

Ventia New Zealand have a longstanding partnership with MPTT
Ventia and MPTT have had a longstanding partnership that is built on matching Māori and Pasifika trainees and tradies to employment opportunities where they can thrive. It’s has worked so well, in the Energy Sector, because of the quality and success of the MPTT graduates, that it is now leading to more demand in other Ventia Sectors.

Ventia are currently forecasting possible opportunities for current and future MPTT graduates across the Telco and Infrastructure Sectors, with other Ventia Sectors to follow.

Ricky Steedman, Kaitohutohu Māori and Strategic Relationships Manager, along with an internal Ventia working group called ‘Te Ara o Rehua’ are tasked with determining strategies and initiatives to improve, encourage and enhance Māori and Pasifika participation and employment within Ventia.

“Our roopu (group) are dedicated to nurturing existing Māori and Pasifika staff at Ventia and building the overall cultural capabilities across Ventia’s Aotearoa business. 

“Ventia works hard to attract the best and the brightest people, to develop, grow and retain them. This is done through a values-based company culture aligned with authentic appreciation of all cultures.”

Te Ara o Rehua means ‘The pathway of Rehua’ – Rehua is a deity of the highest twelfth heaven in te ao Māori”. It speaks to the aspirational pathway and challenging journey that Tāne took to recover the three baskets of knowledge for mankind’s survival. This is an analogy, that the journey to attaining esteem and high achievement is never easy, but always worthwhile. And that the shared learnings from that exhaustive journey are varied and so rewarding for you and your whānau.

Ventia’s ‘Te Ara o Rehua’ has a why purpose statement – to inspire and grow our whānau, through culture. Our roopu believe that if the why is inspiring and authentic, then the how organically becomes compelled with passion. That passion becomes a commitment, and that commitment leads to a sustainable, successful outcome for all.

“We find that many people do not aspire or have the confidence to seek leadership roles. So, we work with individuals and groups to instil and develop the necessary skills that provide that empowerment. We also stay available to support their journey with mentoring and are looking to add a pastural support component.”

Ricky Steadman is Kaitohutohu Māori and Strategic Relationships Manager at Ventia.

Rick Steedman is Kaitohutohu Māori and Strategic Relationships Manager at Ventia.

Success breeds success

Ricky joined Ventia from its predecessor company Visionstream, in 2009. He noticed that all the MPTT tauira were thriving and had glowing reports from their managers. Ventia are grateful for the evolving relationship with MPTT and the trust that the MPTT graduates and their whānau have in Ventia.

“I saw one group come and speak to new recruits. They were full of confidence and enthusiasm when they described their roles and the work they were doing at Ventia. They all sounded like they’d been there for years. There were also some women among them who could share their expertise of the technical side in a relaxed way.”  

MPTT Scholar Christine Swepson is a great example of the success that awaits the ambitious at Ventia.  She is now in the third year of an electrical apprenticeship and is delighted to be a Ventia employee. She says the support and culture is outstanding.

“They work really hard to look after people and create opportunities for support. I report to the city office, and they are often holding collaborative events, catch-ups and other opportunities to the team.”

You can read about Christine’s journey “From Suit to Sparky” here. 

“The reason MPTT candidates do so well here is that we put them in roles where they can grow and have appropriate mentorship. 

“The pastoral care and connection they receive from MPTT navigators is also vital. We make sure we’re supporting the whole person, and that includes their family life. It’s all tailored to the individual.”

MPTT Project Manager Sam Sefuiva greets Rick Steedman at MPTT’s Whanaungatanga Event earlier this year.

MPTT’s support is interwoven with Ventia’s

Sam Sefuiva, MPTT Project Manager, says MPTT tauira can access a range of supports to match their individual situation.

“We’re a practical, outcome-focused organisation working to increase the number of skilled, trade-qualified Māori and Pasifika in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.

“With partners such as Ventia, we can create culturally supportive vocational pathways into the skilled trades and careers that have high-growth potential.

Ongoing support and mentorship from a Navigator with knowledge of Māori and Pasifika cultures is just one way we help. Our scholarship recipients also get the following targeted support.

  • Free training in their chosen trade
  • Work readiness preparation
  • Guidance and help in securing paid employment
  • Up to $1000 tool or equipment grant when employed

If you are looking to improve your pipeline of trades employees and support more Māori and Pasifika to succeed in the trades, register your interest here. 

Cohorts give connection

Another aspect that gives MPTT scholars a unique experience at Ventia is that the company is big enough to hire groups of new tradies together. 

“Most MPTT candidates come to Ventia as a cohort. They learn and grow together, and they have peers who understand where they’re at.”

Ricky knows first-hand how important it can be to have ongoing connections in your workplace. He began the energy industry with a group of peers in the 80s.

“Now, four of that cohort are at Ventia, with three of us here working at the Head Office together. We’ve moved through many roles in management, sometimes through different industries. But we still look out for each other and are great mates.

If you start out with Ventia, you’ll have the opportunity to go through a whole range of industries and roles if you want to.

For example, you could start in transport, go into a team lead role and transition across to other management positions in other sectors. We openly promote within the company – staff are encouraged to aspire and progress if they’re hungry to learn and climb the ladder. 

Ventia supplies workers across the telecom, energy, transport, water and other infrastructure services, and for Auckland Council work from the Bombay Hills to Wellsford. This includes roles for electrical work, building, construction, park maintenance and more. The next recruitment drive for 2024 is currently being discussed and reviewed, so aspiring apprentices and those finishing pre-trades should speak to their MPTT Navigator.

“We’re currently looking for electrical staff in 2024, and have opportunities in water, transport and Council services facilities management. It would be great to see our MPTT people applying for these roles knowing they’ll be nurtured through their early years and supported right through to senior and leadership roles.

Ricky Steadman and MPTT's David Parsons discussing opportunities for MPTT graduates across Ventia's division.
Ricky Steadman (left) with David Parsons, industry adviser at MPTT.

Ricky and MPTT’s David Parsons discussing opportunities for MPTT graduates across Ventia’s division.

Support is woven throughout the organisation

Ricky is not the only one who’s working to ensure Māori and Pasifika tradies have a place at Ventia.

Lincoln Isaacs is a talent acquisition coordinator with Ventia’s Scout Solutions, whose focus is finding skilled people to join the Ventia team. He says he is very proud to work for a company that celebrates its diversity every day.

Acacia Cochise is a Community Engagement Manager at Ventia and leads their diversity and inclusion projects. She is also on the Auckland Council’s Multi-ethnic Communities Advisory Panel.

Acacia is passionate about ensuring her colleagues can bring their whole selves to work and feel safe in doing so.

“I hold the well-being of our diverse communities in Ventia close to my heart,” she says.

As a woman with African American and Native American heritage, Acacia says she vividly recalls the difference having allies has made in her life.

“It’s possible to support someone and help them out even if you haven’t lived the same kind of life.”

Acacia has led the company to gain a Rainbow Tick and put on more youth events.

“Ventia sees that people just need to be empowered and supported. We’ve looked for easier ways for our trainees to access cultural seminars and knowledge.

“One of the tools we’re developing is an online cultural learning module for te ao Māori. It can be accessed online and in te reo, too. Our team that’s based outside the office is especially grateful that they’ll be able to make the most of it without needing to attend a course in person.

“Essentially, it is about accepting and valuing everyone in the workplace, embracing diversity, and creating safe and welcoming working environments where people can be their complete selves.”

If you are looking to improve your pipeline of trades employees and support more Māori and Pasifika to succeed in the trades, register your interest here. 
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Suit to Sparky – Ventia supports people to new places

MPTT alumni Christine Swepson onsite at the Glenbrook Steel Mill where she is working as an electrical apprentice
Christine Swepson has built a clear vision for her place in the world, and Ventia is helping her make it a reality.

Christine, from the village of Palauli, Vailoa, in Samoa, started her working life as a banker and at a corporate in the energy sector. She was in the business world and on her way to earning a Bachelor’s degree. But then, she noticed a new pathway.

“Seeing more females joining the trades industry, I wanted to be part of it. I knew that as an electrical tradesperson, I’d always have job security, the chance to use my brain and the ability to be hands-on without big physical burden. So, that’s the route I took.”

Christine’s first step was pre-trades study at Manukau Institute of Technology, with the support of a Māori and Pasifika Trades Training scholarship.

Navigators help you find your path

“The MPTT navigators were really helpful when I was at MIT,” she explains. They encouraged her to build on her skills and take initiative. And she did.

“I did some door-knocking, and I sent out a lot of emails with my CV. I approached local companies and also some bigger-sized companies. I didn’t really get a lot of traction until I came across Ventia. They were prepared to take on eight apprentices! I’m so thankful I was one of them.”

Christine is now in the third year of her Electrical apprenticeship and is delighted to be a Ventia employee. She says the support and culture is outstanding.

Christine with her manager Edward Mtakwa at the Glenbrook site

Christine with her manager Edward Mtakwa at the Glenbrook site

“They work really hard to look after people and create opportunities for support. I report to the city office, and they are always offering events, catch-ups and other opportunities to the team, even if you’re working out on a site. And Christine has moved around a number of exciting projects.

Ventia encouraged Christine to explore the industrial sector in her electrical career. This saw her placed on projects such as the City Rail Link and Glenbrook Steel Mill. Many young women like Christine aren’t aware of the range of paths in industry, so Ventia’s balanced guidance is vital – especially in areas where there’s a perceived male dominance.

Christine has almost completed her Level 4 Electrical Trade apprenticeship with Connexis and is specialising in high voltage electrical work. She recommends that anyone who’s interested make it a mission to find out more. You can read about the opportunities and culture at Ventia here. 

Working in the electrical trade

Seek employers who empower you

“Definitely ask around. If you’re unsure if the trades are something you want to do, find people to ask. Give your local tradie a call, check out Facebook or Instagram and get in touch with MPTT.”

The approach has certainly worked for Christine, and she’s ready to keep building on it. Once she’s qualified, she knows she’ll have a whole lot more opportunities.

I’m very happy at Ventia and don’t see myself moving anytime soon. But perhaps one day, I’ll build on my studies and eventually move into a senior management role at a big company – perhaps even overseas or in Australia.

The world will certainly be Christine’s oyster as a qualified tradie, but she is also very happy to have found her place, for now, at home with Ventia.

Interested in the Electrical Trade. Learn more about the benefits of a Māori and Pasifika Trades Training Scholarship, apply here.
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Electricians Amped for the Future

Matty and Percy have set themselves up for bright futures by training as electricians. They say that the mix of theory and on-the-job learning is both challenging and satisfying. But learning from those experienced in the industry is teaching them valuable tips. The pair are already able to help out their whānau with their new skills.

MPTT helped the two take up trades training

Percy King, Te Arawa, knew he’d need something to fall back on when his professional sporting career came to an end. Being an electrician was the trade that had always appealed most to him. Getting a scholarship through Māori and Pasifika Trades Training helped seal the deal.

“Although an electrician’s apprenticeship is one of the harder ones, it’s worth it for me,” he says.

“I’ll be the first sparky in the family and in the community. So a lot of my family that have homes can call me so they can get stuff done such as power outages.”

Percy King, electrical apprentice
Percy King, electrical apprentice

Matty also wanted to get into a trade somehow, and he heard about MPTT’s support for Māori and Pasifika learners. A scholarship covered his fees, and when he started studying his pre-trade, he realised electrical work was something he was genuinely interested in.

“It was a one-year pre-trade course at Manukau Institute of Technology: Electrical Engineering Theory Level 3. The benefit is that you do a lot of the theory upfront, so when you get into your apprenticeship you start further ahead.”

Help starting in work

When they completed their study, MPTT helped them get ready to earn. MPTT offers workshops and skills for things like job searches and cover letters. These graduates have both found great apprenticeships to start as soon as they finished their pre-trade course.  Percy is working with JB Electrical and Matty with Laser Electrical.

“MPTT gave me a tools grant, so I had what I needed to get started. It made such a difference right away – especially having my own set of power tools to take to the job,” explains Percy.

Putting theory into practice was powerful

Both Percy and Matty found that taking up the tools allowed them to connect everything they’d learned. But there are plenty of tricks they’re learning from the more experienced tradies.

Percy, who is in his second year with MB Electrical says even things that seemed quite straightforward make so much more sense on the job. “Knowing about testing and fault finding… it’s just so important. And it’s worth perfecting the basics early such as stripping cable and running cable.

He says he’s had good advice from mentors in his apprenticeship.

“I was told, don’t worry about speed at the start; the main thing is getting it right. I’d rather you be slow and right than fast and wrong. Don’t feel pressured to rush.”

Matty agrees. And he’s found that in his apprenticeship with Laser Electrical, you never stop learning.

“When you start, you can think a certain way, but if you’re open-minded, willing to learn and just take stuff on board you can build your skills a lot faster.

“The experienced ones have always got some way to sort things. If there’s any problem, they can show you a technique new technique or trick.”

Once Matty and Percy complete their apprenticeships, they’ll be fully qualified by ETCO and can eventually set up their own businesses. But both are keen to spend the next few years learning and getting experience with different types of work.

“What I’m doing at the moment is new builds, which are quite straightforward. You’re pretty much just making holes in the house frames and then running out cables. When you go to like houses that already built, and you need to start with fault-finding, it’s a different story,” says Matty.

I’m looking to jump to more maintenance work now for a bit of that experience, and then I’d also like to do a commercial project for that experience.

I feel like you need to be able to come across anything and be confident that you can kind of deal with it.”

As well as being excited about their career prospects, these apprentices value the sense of purpose and value. They say MPTT has played a big part in this.

When we started at MIT, Makahn Warren-Chapman, an MPTT navigator introduced herself. There was a waananga where we talked about belonging and how a trade would enable us to give back to our communities and whānau, explains Percy.

Percy on the job at a residential new build in Clevedone

The two recommend their profession to others and have some practical advice.

Percy says, “If you’re doing a pre-trade for three days a week, spend your other days looking for work rather than having a four-day weekend. If you’re working while you study, you get to apply what you’re learning immediately and put it into context.

Matty says, “Being like there’s a lot of people in this industry that have a lot of experience; it’s great to learn from them.”

No images of Matty were available at the time of publishing.

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Making his experience count

Vosa Pitasini, Refrigeration and Air conditioning
Vosa Pitasini started out water blasting, but ended up learning about refrigeration and air conditioning on the job. Before long, he’d built up valuable knowledge and skills in the trade. The only problem? He had no qualifications to back it up. Find out how Vosa is planning to turn his practical skills into legitimate qualifications, which he’ll then be able to use to start his own business.

For Vosa Pitasini, getting into the refrigeration and air conditioning trade was a case of being in the right place at the right time.

He’d been water blasting for a small business called Man and Machine Company Care, when his boss picked up some work with air con units. Vosa started helping out with the basics, like changing and cleaning filters.

“We were proactive about our work and if we noticed a job that needed to be done, we put it in our report. And so we just kept getting more work while we were on site. Slowly, our clients gave all their air con work to us.”

As the business grew, they hired experienced tradies, who taught Vosa more skills. Eventually, he was fully focused on the refrigeration and air con side of the business.

“I got to the stage where I could do it by myself. I had my own van and I did my own work. The problem was, I didn’t have any qualifications.”

Refrigeration and air conditioning pays well and is a career with “big potential”, says Vosa. 

The 36-year-old father of three has now started taking steps to get official recognition for his skills, which would open up his career options.

“As I’ve gone along, I’ve realised that it’s better that I go and get my papers now, before I get too old. I know what I’m doing but I’ve just been wandering around without any qualifications.”

Going legit

Vosa’s first step was to enrol in a pre-trades course at Manukau Institute of Technology, supported by an MPTT scholarship.

“The course was expensive, so the financial support from MPTT was a big, big help,” he says.

While completing the course in 2020, he heard about another pathway to getting qualified. Called the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programme, it recognises relevant experience, along with skills and knowledge gained through training, work experience and life experience.

Getting his skills certified through RPL would mean Vosa could get qualified without doing an apprenticeship. Instead, his training organisation Competenz would formally assess the skills he’s already learned and, if the assessor is satisfied he meets all the requirements, award him a qualification.

Vosa says this is a better option for him than an apprenticeship, because with his experience, being an apprentice would seem like taking a step backwards.

“I don’t want to go back and do an apprenticeship, because I’ve pretty much already done my apprenticeship. But I just never got the accreditation. Through the Recognition of Prior Learning programme, I can get certified up to my level of knowledge and competency.”

Vosa Pitasini, Refrigeration and Air conditioning
He already has the hands-on skills but now it’s time to get a formal qualification.

Fishing for opportunities

Since doing Level 3 at MIT last year, Vosa has gone out on his own as a sole trader, working three days a week. This means he’s already self-employed – but getting his qualification would allow him to employ other people and grow his own business.

In the meantime, Vosa has been making the most of opportunities that have come along.

“I love fishing. I’m setting myself up as a commercial fisherman, so when I’m not working, that’s what I’ll be doing — I’ll be out on the water. It’s a side business.”

Well known in the Tuvaluan community for his legendary flounder hauls, Vosa had been giving a lot of his catch away. But as part of his refrigeration work, he found himself fixing chillers for a number of seafood businesses. He spied an opportunity to start supplying them.

“If I’m catching these flounder, why not sell them to my refrigeration clients who own fish shops? So, I rang the authorities to find out what I need to do, and now I’m getting myself set up to do it properly.”

MPTT graduate Vosa with a catch of fish
Any day catching fish is a good one for Vosa, and now he’s turning that hobby into a side-hustle.

Rising to the challenge

Vosa’s path into the trades hasn’t been a traditional one, and he says it wasn’t something he would have chosen when he started out.

“I didn’t like this work in the beginning, but I did it because I didn’t really have any other options. But now I love it. All of a sudden I had the opportunity in front of me. I thought, ‘Hold on a minute: I’ve never done this before’. But I did it for my family because if I don’t work, then I can’t feed my kids,” he says.

Vosa’s walking into a brighter future for him and his family. 

“Now I enjoy the challenge and problem-solving in this trade. I don’t know everything yet, but I learn every day as I go along. I feel like I’m in a classroom. I’m always learning how to do things better.

Being willing to give it a go and try new things has paid off, he says.

“I think that’s the challenge: testing yourself and putting yourself in new things. And then it turned into a career with big potential for me to make a living out of it.

“Once qualified, I’ll probably build up my business and employ a few more qualified air con and refrigeration tradies. My own business – that’s where I’m heading.”

So what does it mean to have a great attitude, and how do you know if you have one? The bad news is, no one can do it for you – a good attitude comes from within. But the good news is, it’s simpler than you might think.

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Fatherhood drives mechanic’s transformation

Kalib Lewis grew up working on cars, and his hands-on skills helped him quickly land an automotive apprenticeship. But he put the theory side of his training on the backburner for a few years – until he found out he had a baby on the way. Find out how the added motivation of fatherhood has led to huge changes in Kalib’s life, from getting qualified and becoming a foreman to buying a home for his whānau.

Growing up in Auckland with parents who did dirt track racing, Kalib knew his way around an engine from a young age.

“I’ve been working on cars since I was in nappies. I was always around speedway and dirt track racing and stuff like that. I was born into it, really.

Kalib (number 359a) is a regular in the stock car races at Waikaraka Park.

“My parents knew basic stuff about cars, and they’d just get the job done and make it work. So, sometimes we had no idea what we were doing – we’d just pull it apart, see how it works and put it back together. ”

This practical background served Kalib well when he started officially training in the automotive trade. With a recommendation from his tutor at Manukau Institute of Technology, he quickly landed an apprenticeship (managed by industry training organisation MITO) with Davies Motors in Manukau.

However, the theory side of his apprenticeship was a challenge at first

“It was hard, especially because I was working 45-hour weeks at the time. So I’d go home and think, ‘I don’t really want to do this because I’ve been working on cars all day’. I’ve also got dyslexia, so reading and writing is not really my strong point.”

But after a slow start with his bookwork, Kalib found a powerful source of motivation to get qualified.

“I had a son on the way, so I was like, I need to get qualified. I need a pay rise and I need to get this done.”

“And that was the majority of my motivation in the end, was my son. Just to get my apprenticeship done and out of the way, because I wouldn’t have time later on – like, I’d have to juggle time with my son and being at work.”

Kalib says a good mechanic needs plenty of patience and the ability to problem-solve. 

Crossing the finish line

With his son turning two in September, Kalib (Ngāpuhi) has now been a qualified mechanic for around a year and is the workshop foreman at Auto Xcellence Ltd in Manukau.

“Getting qualified was a big relief. It was a huge weight off my shoulders. You never realise how much of a weight it puts on you until you actually get qualified.”

Kalib’s whānau are proud of his achievements, both in the trades and on a personal level.

“I’ve changed a lot over the past few years, and they’re stoked with where I’ve ended up. Believe it or not, I used to be a little devil child that used to go out and get in fights and stuff. My son’s sort of calmed me down and helped me realise there’s more to life than just myself.

“I’m a better person for it. Like, you live and you learn, and I know what to look out for now. And when my son came along I realised I wanted to be better for him. Even I’m surprised how much I’ve changed.”

There was only ever one career path for Kalib — it was always automotive.

Fuelling change

With his qualification under his belt, Kalib’s higher income helped him and his partner to purchase their first home in Manukau.

“We’re in the final process of signing our house contract. We’re actually building on the back of my partner’s parents’ place. So that’s how we’re getting into the housing market.”

Saving the money for a house didn’t come naturally, but the 23-year-old set his sights on the goal and worked with his partner to do what was needed.

“I was one of those people that lived paycheck to paycheck. I just threw money around and didn’t really care. But with my son coming along, the priorities changed. It’s not all about me now.”

Knuckling down and saving money has allowed the couple to get set up for their future, says Kalib.

“We’ve achieved so much in the last year since I’ve been qualified, it’s ridiculous. But most of that comes down to, honestly, working long hours and saving money.”

“I took a year off racing and was like, ‘this is the goal we’re saving for’. Once we’re in our own place, I can start racing again.”

New direction

Having finished his apprenticeship, Kalib is now part of a small team at Auto Xcellence, where he’s learning how a business is run and how to work with customers.

“When my boss is away, I run the place. It’s sort of the next step. And then probably after that, the next step for me will be starting my own business. That’s a five-year goal.

Putting in the mahi’s paid off for Kalib, now fully certified and working as foreman at Auto Xcellence in Wiri.

“For me to own my own business one day, I have to see how a small business runs. It’s a big change from being in a corporation where you’re not dealing with customers regularly. My job now is more of a family environment. You get to know the customer on a more personal level rather than, oh, we’re just servicing your car.”

Part of Kalib’s role has been learning how to invoice customers, which often involves working within what the customer can afford.

“Being in a low socio-economic area, It’s been a big eye-opener. The customers can’t always afford for everything to be done. So, it’s being able to work with the customer as well.”

Confident, focused and motivated — Kalib reckons even he’s surprised at how much he’s changed!

Success in the automotive trade takes dedication and patience, says Kalib.

“You have to enjoy what you’re doing and be dedicated to it. I’m big on enjoying what you’re doing, otherwise don’t do it at all. Don’t just half-arse it; you’ve got to be fully committed to what you’re doing.”

“It’s about learning how to be a mechanic, not a part fitter. Because anyone can be a part fitter, but to be a good mechanic takes some time and some problem solving.

“Often with diagnostic stuff, you’ve got to be patient. You’ve got to follow the systems that are in place or follow whatever the service information says. And you have to be dedicated to be able to find the fault and not give up and put it in the too-hard basket.”

Now that he’s qualified and working as a foreman, Kalib is keen to focus on enjoying life with his whānau while he builds up experience in his trade.

“I just want to live life how it is. I used to be a person who took everything to heart, but I know now that life’s life and you can’t really control it, so you might as well enjoy it while you can.”

Want to work with cars like Kalib? Find out how to train in the automotive trade.

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Light at the end of the tunnel

George Patterson
Coming to New Zealand for rugby, George Patterson found his passion in something he never expected. Since receiving his MPTT scholarship, he’s become a qualified mechanical engineer and has spent the last 10 months working on Watercare’s $1.2 billion Central Interceptor project, New Zealand’s longest wastewater overflow tunnel. But the journey hasn’t always been easy. Find out how George overcame a fear of asking questions and became an invaluable part of his team.

A career in the trades wasn’t George’s first plan. But after seeing a demand for mechanical engineers, he decided to give it a try.

At the time, rugby was still his priority. But as he learned more about the trade, he began to develop a real passion for it.

With support from his family and an MPTT scholarship, George completed his National Certificate in Welding (Level 3 and Level 4) at Manukau Institute of Technology.

“My mum and dad always encouraged me towards something like this,” says George, who grew up in Suva but is from Levuka, Ovalau Island in Fiji. “They said sport would only take me so far.”

In 2016, George landed an apprenticeship at Abergeldie Complex Infrastructure in Papakura, with help from his MPTT navigator. But life on the work site was more challenging than he’d expected.

Learning to speak up

MPTT graduate George Patterson with his boss, Ian Norton
George (left) rose to the challenge of his apprenticeship with help from his boss Ian ‘Nod’ Norton, who he now calls his ‘working dad’.

George’s apprenticeship journey was a bumpy road. Not everything made sense at first, and just learning the basics – like the different types of pumps and motors and their purposes – seemed difficult.

“To be honest, it was nothing like what I expected. I knew nothing! I was so fresh in the industry.”

“A lot of kids grow up working on cars and helping their parents out with stuff around home, but I was never a hands-on person when I was growing up.”

At times, George doubted his career choices and his future as a tradie.

“The first two years, I was like, ‘What am I even doing here?’ and ‘Is this the right thing for me?’ I was fighting with myself to stay there.”

But George pushed himself and grew a thicker skin, challenging himself to ask more questions on the job.

“It was hard to put my hand up and say, ‘Can you please explain that and slow it down for me?’ That’s what you have to learn to do though.

“I carried a little notebook in my overalls and wrote things down during the day. Then I’d find my boss Nod at smoko, and ask him to explain things I didn’t understand. He helped me a lot – he was really patient and fair with me.”

‘I never gave up’

George isn’t the only MPTT graduate on site – his good mate Fetuli Tukia has gone through the programme at the same time.

As he started gaining knowledge and experience, so too came the respect of his workmates and boss.

“It started to click for me. My boss was putting me on bigger jobs and I’d do them, so he’d give me more jobs. I started to actually do the job because I understood it.”

George’s boss, Ian ‘Nod’ Norton, says George has become an invaluable part of the team since he started working for him in 2016.

“He found it challenging at first, but the great thing with George is that if he doesn’t know something, he asks,” says Nod.

“Then, especially last year, he started picking it up and getting into the nitty gritty. And now he’s the most trustworthy one I’ve got underneath me. We’re like a family here — he’s like a son to me.

“I can leave him with any job now and go away, and I know he’ll do it, or he’ll ask me if he’s confused.”

George currently works for Ghella Abergeldie Joint Venture on the Central Interceptor – a super-sized wastewater tunnel that runs underground from Grey Lynn to the Māngere Wastewater Treatment Plant.

He spends most of his time constructing the tunnel boring machine, and says the experience has solidified a love for his trade.

George is 'fascinated' by the tunnel boring machine he's helping put together and hopes to one day lead a team in building these machines.
George has been using his skills to put together a tunnel boring machine, which will soon help create a super-sized wastewater tunnel. George is ‘fascinated’ by the tunnel boring machine he’s putting together, and hopes to one day lead a team in building these machines.

“There were so many times I could have given up and gone back to Fiji. That would have been the easy option. But I didn’t want to give up.

“I always stayed and pushed on. I knew in my head there was a light at the end of the tunnel – literally, because I was working in a tunnel.

“I always knew it would get better. And it did — I’m happy now. I come home from work smiling.”

Perseverance pays off

MPTT Graduate, George Patterson who completed his apprenticeship while working on Watercare’s $1.2 billion Central Interceptor project, New Zealand’s longest wastewater overflow tunnel.
In the tough times of his apprenticeship, George kept going with encouragement from his family and advice from his grandad that ‘the smooth sea doesn’t make a skilled sailor’.

Last year, the 28-year-old finally completed his apprenticeship and is now a fully qualified mechanical engineer.

“My dad is a man of few words. We had a video call and I brought up my certificate for him to see, and he gave me this big smile. I could see it in his eyes that he was proud.

“And my mum was really proud too. When I told her, she was so happy and said, ‘All your hard work has paid off’.”

Becoming qualified brought a big pay rise — and George knew exactly how he wanted to celebrate.

“As soon as I got qualified and signed the contract, I bought a Ford Ranger ute. I’m six-foot-six, so I’ve always wanted a big ute that I can fit into. I love it and I’m so grateful.”

He says the pay rise has given him heaps more financial security, and he has a few specific money goals.

“I’m young so I’m not really thinking about buying a house yet, but I’m thinking of investing it and making my money grow, and maybe getting a house later.”

George loves his work and has big plans for his future in the trades.

“Every day I go to work, I’m getting new knowledge. I go home thinking, ‘I built that – I did all of that’. So I feel like I own it. I didn’t really have that before. It makes me feel peace inside that I did this job and helped this company.

“In 10 years, I’d love to be one of the leading mechanical engineers on a tunnel boring machine build. And later on, I’d like to be a mechanical superintendent, which means I’d be running a team of engineers. That’s what my boss Nod does now.”

George encourages future tradies to ask lots of questions and have the courage to ask for help.

“When things get hard, just ask. I feel like that’s a big thing for Pacific Islanders – we’re shy about asking questions, asking for help, speaking up. But there’s never a dumb question. And if people do laugh at you, just remind yourself you’re learning something. Always remember you’re an apprentice and you’re still learning.”

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Apprentice putting his family first

No-one achieves major goals on their own – our success also depends on support from those around us. That’s why refrigeration and air conditioning apprentice Avishkar Kissun is happy to be using his skills to help his hard-working parents pay the bills, and plans to celebrate getting established in his trade by taking his family on holiday.
For Avishkar Kissun, learning a trade is about giving back to his family. 

The 21-year-old was born in Batinikama, Labasa, on the island of Vanua Levu, Fiji. But his parents, who are both teachers, wanted him and his sister to have more opportunities. So in 2016, they made the difficult choice to leave Fiji and come to New Zealand.

“My parents wanted a great future for me and my sister. They needed a better future for us, so they decided to move to a new country.” 

Once in New Zealand, Avishkar chose to learn a trade because it allows him to help support his family while he trains, and opens up the possibility of owning his own business one day.

“My parents have struggled a lot in coming to New Zealand and it wasn’t an easy way to come here. So I have to care for my family.”



Avishkar learning on the job in Ponsonby, not far from Airtech’s headquarters on Williamson Ave.
House warming

Avishkar now lives in Papatoetoe with his parents, his sister and his granny.

“It was a big change for us, because we still have our house and close families in Fiji. It was really a very hard decision to leave behind our house and people with whom we’ve spent our time,” he says.

“My dad has struggled a lot. Coming from Fiji and getting a job was hard in New Zealand. When we came, my mum was the main applicant and she came on a student visa. She completed her Bachelors of Digital Technologies at MIT as an international student. My dad worked as a cleaning supervisor at the airport. After about two years, he managed to get his teacher registration and started teaching, through which we got residence.”

Avishkar’s parents are both now working as teachers, and his sister is studying biomedical science at Auckland University.

Together, the family managed to save enough to buy their own house in Auckland. 

“We have just bought our own house last year, due to our hard work and savings. I am lucky to be working because I am helping my parents pay the mortgage.”

Avishkar wants to use his trade to give back to his parents.

“This house is not my parents’ dream house. I have a plan in my mind: I’m thinking of buying them a house that they like – a dream house for them.” 

“I’m also thinking of taking my family on a big vacation once I’m established in my trade and my life is sorted out.”

Conditioned for success

Avishkar knew he wanted to study refrigeration and air conditioning after he lent a helping hand to his neighbour, who was a refrigeration engineer.

“A few days I went with him to help him, and I really enjoyed it and wanted to learn more. I didn’t have any knowledge of it — I was just a helping hand, you know. I wanted to learn more, so I just went to MIT and found the pre-trades course in air con and refrigeration.” 

In 2018, after finishing high school, Avishkar did a Certificate in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (Level 3) at Manukau Institute of Technology, with help from an MPTT scholarship. He excelled in his studies and was given the MIT MPTT Top Trainee Award for General Engineering. 

“MPTT paid for my fees, plus they gave me support to buy tools, which was very good and very helpful for me. Those are the tools I’m using now. And Hami and Naomi from MPTT supported me with preparing my CV and getting me ready for a career.”  



Tools aren’t cheap, and Avishkar’s grateful for the help from MPTT with putting his kit together.

In January 2020, Avishkar started his apprenticeship (through Competenz) at Airtech, which sees him working all over Auckland.

“The thing I enjoy most is going to new places in Auckland, and getting to work on new types of air con.”

“My job mostly focuses on the air conditioning. There are selected senior staff who do the refrigeration and I work with them. I have just started, but I am doing my best to learn refrigeration from them.” 



  • Avishkar Kissun
Avishkar with his supervisor Pritesh (top left); removing redundant air conditioning equipment from a refurbishment in Ponsonby; and with his boss John Yorston, who says Avi’s maturity helped land him the apprenticeship.


Air of confidence

Avishkar’s boss John Yorston, General Manager at Airtech, says the company is constantly “bombarded” with CVs from people looking for work, but Avishkar shone through because of his maturity.

“There’s a formality about him in terms of how he works and in his manner. He’s presentable and tidy. He has a maturity that’s a major benefit for him in what he’s doing and where he’s going, and that rolls into his acceptance by the team. 

“Give him a few years and he’ll be able to liaise with clients and pretty much do everything we could want — that’s for sure.”

One challenge for Avishkar has been getting comfortable with heights.

“It was very challenging for me when I started, you know. Going up high, climbing ladders and everything, is not easy when you’re not used to it. But slowly I am learning and seeing where people put their hands, what’s the correct position. Now it’s all normal for me and I’m confident in everything, but this was one of the challenging parts.”

In the future, Avishkar has his sights set on owning his own business, and he hopes to be able to employ some of his relatives who also live in Auckland.

Employer Spotlight: Airtech
Based in Grey Lynn, Airtech provides air conditioning and refrigeration services all over Auckland. They do everything from installing heat pumps in homes to fixing air conditioning systems at school, businesses, and commercial factories. They also service, repair and maintain commercial air conditioning and refrigeration equipment at places like restaurants and fast food outlets. 

General Manager John Yorston says the company has 15 employees, including two apprentices. As someone who receives a lot of applications, John has some good advice for anyone trying to land a job in the industry: 

#1
Send in a well-written CV, and follow up with a phone call to make sure the employer’s received it and knows you’re interested

#2
If you’re offered an interview, show up on time and dress smartly. The employer wants to see you looking professional, especially if it’s a role where you’ll be going into people’s homes.

#3
Be prepared for your interview: learn about the company and the industry beforehand, bring any required paperwork, and be ready to talk about what your goals are for the future.

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Want to get qualified on time? Do this

Shannon Ngawharau

Keen to enjoy the money and mana that come with being qualified? With focus and dedication, MPTT alumni Shannon Ngawharau finished his construction apprenticeship in great time. Read on for tips on how you can finish your apprenticeship on time, too.

Most apprenticeships typically take around 3½ to 4½ years. But it isn’t just about the hours you put in. To get qualified, you need to show you have certain skills. That means if you’re motivated, you can finish faster – like Shannon.

Having previously served in the Royal New Zealand Navy, Shannon had leaned how to be disciplined. By working hard and focusing on ticking the right boxes, the 36-year-old completed his construction apprenticeship in around two years. If you’re thinking you could never find that kind of motivation, it might help to know that Shannon has been there too.

“I already did an electrical apprenticeship and that took me quite a long time – about 5½ years. So I know what it’s like to be unmotivated and I know what it’s like to be motivated as well.”

Speed isn’t everything, and it’s important to take the time you need to properly learn your trade. But by doing some of what Shannon did, you can help ensure you finish your apprenticeship in good time – so you can enjoy being a qualified tradie.

Having the goal of being a qualified builder helped Shannon stay focused on completing his apprenticeship.

Building speed

Although Shannon (Ngāti Ruanui) had previously trained as an electronic technician through the NZ Navy, when he signed up to learn construction he was new to the trade. In fact, he hadn’t worked with timber since woodwork class in high school.

After completing a pre-trades construction course at Unitec in 2015, Shannon began his apprenticeship in 2016. This involved signing a three-way contract between himself, industry training organisation BCITO, and his employer Your Home Construction, which specialises in high-end residential and light commercial work.

Having learned the theory of his trade during his pre-trades course, Shannon worked hard to show this knowledge in his paperwork. He also made a plan for what practical skills he’d need to get signed off when he met with his training advisor every three months.

“It was a combination of things that helped me get it done pretty fast. My boss had a wide scope of work available, so I kind of got to choose where I’d work.

“I planned all the practical units that I wanted to get signed off every three months, and worked on those skills before I met with my training advisor.”

Shannon’s boss Charles Lindsay, owner of Your Home Construction, says Shannon’s planning and determination quickly paid off.

“He approached getting qualified like a business, with a goal and a plan to achieve it. His paperwork was flawless. He had photos and everything. You’d be hard pressed to find another like him, I’ll tell you that much.

“I’ve said to all my other apprentices, if you do anything even close to what Shannon did, you’re going to pass with flying colours and get it done in good time.”

Shannon (left) with his boss Charles Lindsay, owner of Your Home Construction.

Constructing a career

From the start of his pre-trades course at Unitec, Shannon was determined to finish his apprenticeship and get qualified.

“I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it. Once I’d dedicated myself to the course, I knew I wanted to carry on and get my qualification.

“I worked with another guy who did the same course as me and he chose to just work as a labourer, but I went the other way. There was a little bit more work for me to get qualified, but it was always something I was going to do anyway. If you’re working in the industry, you might as well get something out of it at the same time.”

A trades qualification stays with you as you look for jobs or travel the world, Shannon points out.

“Once you have it, you can take it pretty much anywhere. You can go and work in Australia if you like. Your qualification is recognised in a lot of places.

“If I was just a labourer, then every time I got a new job I’d have to prove myself based on my work. But now that I have a qualification, I can back myself up with that, as well as showing them what I can do on the job.”

He encourages other trainees to focus on what they want for their long-term future.

“You just need to have the right attitude if you want to get qualified. You have to think about the end goal, not the short-term goal.

“Visualise that, because there are going to be times when you’re doing long hours or doing the same mundane job – carrying materials around site or whatever – and you just have to keep in mind what you want to get out of it.”

Charles says completing an apprenticeship and getting qualified is a huge improvement to a trainee’s life and career.

“You’ve got to look into your future and think about where you want to be in life. If you want to be a hammerhand, you’re going to plateau at one level for the rest of your life. But if you want to be the boss dog and earn big money, you’ve got to get your apprenticeship done and get qualified. So get your qualification done. Just do it.”

Before each meeting with his training advisor, Shannon planned the skills he wanted to get signed off and made sure he learned those skills on the job.

High rise

Now that he’s qualified, Shannon still works for Your Home Construction and received a pay rise when he finished his apprenticeship.

“At my age I’m just happy working for someone else. I’m currently finishing off a Diploma in Construction Management, so I’m kind of hoping to transition into project management down the track.”

Not having to worry about working towards his qualification anymore is a huge plus for Shannon.

“The big thing for me is that it takes the weight off my shoulders. Now I can relax and learn the craft more instead of having to think about my next meeting with my training advisor.”

There was no big change in how people treated him at work, mostly because his team assumed he was already qualified.

“Charles put me in charge of the sites I was working on anyway, even when I was still an apprentice. I think he knew what type of person I was, you know, and he had an idea that even though I was new to the trade, I wasn’t completely fresh because of my previous experience in the Navy.

“So once I did get qualified, the other people on site were like, ‘Oh true, we didn’t know you weren’t qualified’. They just assumed I was already a qualified builder because they didn’t think an apprentice would be running jobs.”

Shannon’s motivated attitude is what made him a great candidate to run jobs on site, says Charles.

“You can teach building skills, but you can’t train someone’s mindset to be keen. If someone’s not keen, you might get a really good builder out of them, but they’re not going to go that extra distance and push themselves so much.

“Most apprentices just ask, ‘what are we doing next?’ Whereas Shannon was always thinking forward, and that’s the hardest thing to find. A lot of people just go with the flow, but he always had a game plan of what to do next, and he’d even start making a list of materials we’d need for that job.”

Enthusiasm for the job is the main thing employers look for when hiring, says Charles.

“If someone’s keen they’re going to want to come to work every day, they’re going to want to work hard, and they’re going to want to learn. And that’s something Shannon’s had. He just wanted to get qualified and learn everything he could as fast as he could.”

 

 
How to finish your apprenticeship on time – or even faster

  • Make time for your theory work.

    As part of your assessment, you’ll need to show you understand the theory behind what you do. So don’t leave your paperwork until the last minute. Make time to do a bit of paperwork each week, so you stay on top of it and can remember what you learn.

  • Plan the practical work you need to get signed off.

    It’s up to your boss to make sure you learn the skills you need, but that doesn’t mean you can’t show initiative. Talk to your boss about the skills you need to get signed off, and how you might be able to do that before your next meeting with your training advisor. Don’t be shy – your boss will likely be impressed by your motivation.

  • Stick with your employer if you can.

    When you change jobs, you break your apprenticeship contract. Even though you can continue your apprenticeship with a new employer, it can take a few months before you sign the new contract. So by staying with one employer for your whole apprenticeship like Shannon did, you’re more likely to finish quickly. If you do need to change jobs along the way, make sure your new employer is happy to offer you an apprenticeship.

For more tips on getting qualified on time, see our blog on how to cross the finish line of your training.

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‘She’ll be fighting off job offers’

Most people want to be in demand in their career – but how do you get there? Mechanical engineering apprentice Toni Rhind is sure to be sought after once she’s certified, says her boss Eddie Green. But that doesn’t mean the road was easy. In fact, Toni tried several careers before finding the right fit, and had to make the tough call to leave a good job in order to get an apprenticeship.

Apprentice and young mum Toni Rhind will be “fighting off job offers” once she’s certified, reckons her boss.

Eddie Green, who oversees Toni’s work at Pacific Steel in Auckland, was impressed with Toni’s work ethic and motivation from the start.

“Toni’s a role model. Her schoolwork and block course is always up to date. She adds a lot of value to our business and she’s always been outstanding. If she wants help, she’ll put her hand up. Toni is definitely delivering all the time.”

He says Toni will be in high demand when she’s finished her apprenticeship.

“She’s going to have a lot of choices. Whether we hang on to her or not will remain to be seen, but she won’t have to worry about finding somewhere to work.”

Joining forces

Around a year ago, Pacific Steel was looking for a female apprentice to join its mostly male team. But with mechanical engineering traditionally being a male-dominated field, Eddie had difficulty finding the right person.

 

Toni working on machinery at Pacific Steel’s Wire Mill (left) and with her boss, Eddie Green (right).

“We’ve got a big diversity plan, and at that time I was tasked with finding us a female apprentice. But there was hardly anyone around,” says Eddie, who is maintenance superintendent at Pacific Steel’s wire mill and manages the company’s apprenticeship training scheme.

Eventually, Eddie found Toni through Competenz – a partner of MPTT – after she’d approached them looking for an apprenticeship.

“As soon as I met her and talked to her, I knew she was exactly what we’re looking for,” says Eddie. “To be honest, I couldn’t hire her quick enough – I just had to get her on board. And it’s worked out really well.

“She absolutely fit what we were looking for, not just with getting a woman into the trades, but also because of her motivation and her skillset.”

Engineering her success

After having her son at age 16, Toni began looking for a career. But it took a while to find the right fit.

She did the first year of a nursing degree, then switched to sports massage for a few years. She then became a personal trainer and fitness instructor but although it paid the bills, she knew it wasn’t what she wanted to do long-term.

Inspired by her handyman grandfather, Toni decided to look into mechanical engineering.

“I was already quite good with my hands and I liked having a go at fixing things. I knew I couldn’t work in an office.”

Support system

Toni (Ngāpuhi and Tainui) also qualified for an MPTT scholarship that offered financial and practical support.

MPTT trainees like Toni get more than just free course fees. They also get one-on-one mentoring and career advice, as well as help finding work and getting an apprenticeship.

Toni, 26, says this ongoing support was a major reason she chose to join the MPTT programme.

“I’ve noticed a lot of people that go through the pre-trades haven’t had much support going forward with their career. And something I felt really helped me is that I had very strong support from MPTT.”

Toni’s relationship with MPTT started when she was looking at learning a trade. It was then that she met Naomi Tito, MPTT relationship manager at Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT).

“When I was looking into my course, Naomi told me about MPTT. She was very friendly and helpful, and gave me a lot of information about what support I could get and where I could continue training after I’d finished at MIT.”

Measurable progress

Toni found her first mechanical engineering job while still doing her pre-trades course at MIT.

With her sights set on getting certified, she asked her boss for an apprenticeship, but eventually had to look at other options.

“I had a job and I thought it would lead to an apprenticeship. But once I’d finished my pre-trades course, it didn’t really look like my boss was going to be able to offer me an apprenticeship. So I found an apprenticeship with another company.”

That company was Pacific Steel. Eddie says he was impressed by Toni’s drive to get certified, particularly because apprentices temporarily get paid less than other employees until they are qualified.

“To walk away from a pretty well-paying job and to take that leap, that couldn’t be easy,” says Eddie. “I did speak to her about the money and how she’d make ends meet but she had a real plan and it was a good plan. I liked how motivated she was and how keen she was to do it.”

Now a year into her three-year apprenticeship, Toni is loving her work.

“I enjoy being challenged all the time. When I go to work, there’s always something different to do each day. My job is to help maintain the machinery at Pacific Steel, like fixing breakdowns to get the production line going again. We do quite a bit of welding and fixing broken equipment.”

For Toni, changing careers was a way to open up her career options and give her more choices in life.

 

One of the things Toni loves about her job is the variety of tasks she gets to tackle — no two days are the same.

“It was about career opportunity. My long-term goal is to become a contractor. I’d like to be my own boss so I can choose my hours and what jobs I work on. Once I finish my apprenticeship, I’ll be looking to get more experience before eventually going out on my own.”

Formula for success

Many parents find it challenging to juggle work and family life. But for Toni, what made it possible was having the support of her whānau.

“I’ve got both my parents around to support me, and my sisters. So it was only when my son was sick or he had a school trip on that I’d try and take some time off work.”

Having support at work is also important to Toni, and she’s found her team at Pacific Steel provides this.

“I work with a supervisor and a number of workers, so there’s always support there. There’s always someone to talk to if you have any problems in the workplace.”

Although mechanical engineering is still a male-dominated field, Toni hasn’t come across difficulties as a woman in this trade.

“Where I’m working, they treat women just like they treat the men. I think sometimes men underestimate women’s ability to do physical jobs, but actually women can do all of those physical things too.”

Eddie is passionate about encouraging women to succeed in the trades, and says some lingering stereotypes are the only problem.

“I’ve been in engineering for around 39 years now, and what I find hard is people who have a job that needs doing and automatically go to one of the males. But why not stop and think and give that job to one of the women? Toni is equally as capable as any of the men we’ve got here now or have ever had.”

Toni encourages other women who are interested in the trades to follow their dreams, and to take advantage of all the help they can get from others along the way.

“Give it a go, and don’t be intimidated because you’ll have a lot of support behind you.”

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Completing the circuit

At Māori and Pasifika Trades Training (MPTT) Auckland, our trainees don’t just get jobs — we help them become qualified tradespeople. As recently-qualified electrician Cruise Tito knows, completing your apprenticeship is well worth the hard work to get there. Here’s the story of how Cruise has set himself up for a lasting and rewarding career.

When Cruise Tito finished his apprenticeship in November last year, he was thrilled to celebrate the years of hard work he put into his qualification.

“Being the first of my siblings to get qualified, it was a big deal. We all went out to dinner to celebrate,” says Cruise.

The 22-year-old was part of MPTT Auckland’s first group of trainees back in 2015. Having now completed an apprenticeship through Skills and electrical contracting company Team Cabling, Cruise is officially an electrician.

Cruise Tito, qualified electrician
Qualified electrician and MPTT Alumni Cruise Tito completed his apprenticeship on November 2018.

Lightbulb moment

When Cruise finished high school, he knew he wanted to get a job that was hands-on, so it made sense to learn a trade.

“I like electronics and was motivated to get a good-paying job, so I decided to become an electrician.”

He completed a pre-trades course in electrical at Manukau Institute of Technology in 2015, with his fees paid for by the MPTT scholarship.

He was also coached by his MPTT navigator, to help ensure he knew what employers were looking for as he prepared for life on the job.

Sparking a legacy

MPTT Auckland has its roots in the Māori Affairs Trade Training Scheme, which saw thousands of Māori gain trade qualifications between 1959 and the mid-1980s.

This created a generation of Māori leaders in the trades — a legacy that MPTT is working to continue by supporting people like Cruise right through their training.

As one of the first trainees to join the MPTT programme, Cruise (Ngāpuhi, Ngai Ta Manuhiri, Ngāti Whātua) is grateful for the help it has offered him throughout his journey to getting qualified.

“The scholarship was a massive help financially. MPTT also encouraged and supported us to do better, like helping us set five-year goals.”

“MPTT is like a family. It was really nice being part of a group of people that met up regularly. My navigator Awhina helped me out with my CV and I also attended a financial support workshop through Skills, which helped me and my household improve our budgeting.”

The first goal on Cruise’s list after finishing his pre-trades course was getting an apprenticeship.

He found this opportunity at Coll Electrical, where he worked for about three years. Cruise was able to work nationally and was sub-contracted to work in Wellington for six months.

“It was the first time I had moved out of home and I was able to work on my first commercial project end-to-end.”

Returning to Auckland, Cruise realised he needed more varied experience to get the career he wanted.

“We were mainly working on civil projects, and I wanted to move more towards commercial. So I decided to look for other opportunities and was able to get a job at Team Cabling.”

With help from his apprenticeship provider Skills, Cruise was able to carry his apprenticeship over to his new job.

Switched on to the trades

From the beginning, Cruise has loved that the electrical trade lets him work with his hands.

“The work is awesome. There’s heaps to learn, I get to do different things every day, and it’s hands-on, practical work.”

“I knew I didn’t want a desk job – not right now anyway. I’m an active, hands-on person, so I based my career around that. I was motivated to get qualified, as I saw it was the key to more opportunities.”

The biggest challenge for Cruise on the road to becoming qualified was getting motivated to study and complete the necessary assignments.

“Exams were really hard. I found it hard to study while working full-time and playing rugby. But at the same time, I really enjoyed getting paid to learn.

“My partner motivated me a lot. Seeing her develop in her career made me determined to keep up. She helped keep me on track — she actually put the whip on me,” he laughs.

Now that he’s a qualified electrician, Cruise is grateful to have plenty of opportunities and support to grow his career. He recommends trades training to anyone who enjoys hands-on, practical work.

“Take every opportunity you can. Get paid to learn and get qualified,” says Cruise.

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Apprentice earns national building award

Robert Piutau
Tradespeople do a lot of great work, but it’s not every day they get national recognition for their skills. After delaying his building career for years to be a stay-at-home dad, former MPTT trainee Robert Piutau was stoked – and a little surprised – to win second place in the New Zealand Certified Builders Apprenticeship Challenge this month.
Find out more about Robert’s journey into the trades and how he earned his impressive placing at the awards.

When Robert Piutau found out he’d won second place in a national building competition, it took a few moments for the good news to sink in. “I was at the awards dinner and I heard my name and saw it on the screen – but it didn’t hit me straight away. Then someone behind me said ‘Hey, that’s you’. I think I was in shock that I got a placing.”

Robert competed against 18 other finalists in the New Zealand Certified Builders (NZCB) Apprentice Challenge, held over three days in Rotorua in May. Judges scored the finalists in various areas, including a presentation, an interview, and written material such as their portfolio, cover letter and CV. They also built a catapult as part of a separate promotion with Mitre 10.

“I didn’t think I’d place in the top three,” says Robert, 33. “Especially with the calibre of guys there.” For claiming a podium finish, Robert won $2500 worth of tools, plus took home the Mitre 10 bench tools he used to make the catapult.

“We kind of felt like superstars down there for the way we were treated. It was such an awesome opportunity and I’ve never had that kind of experience before.

“I came away really motivated to persevere and continue my studies and apprenticeship, and then just go on to get qualified.”

Robert and the other apprentices showcased their skill and creativity by constructing a working catapult during the NZCB Apprentice Challenge. Photos courtesy of ITAB Auckland.

Hammer time

To secure his spot in the national competition, Robert first competed – and came out on top – in a search for North Auckland’s best building apprentice.

Nineteen of the area’s most skilled apprentices went head-to-head for eight hours at the regional challenge in April, turning construction plans into a detailed children’s play castle. Each playhouse included a turret and working drawbridge, and was judged by a panel of experts on workmanship, measuring, cutting and assembly.

Robert came away with the highest overall score – but he says it wasn’t an easy challenge.

“At first I was surprised that I won. I had a few challenges on the day and made a couple of major mistakes, but I knew I had to keep going.

“I started differently to the other guys and built it the other way around – starting with the cladding and then doing the frames last. My family came and I pretty much had nothing to show for the whole day. Then in the last half hour I put everything up, and it was all go from there.”

The Mangere resident, who is in the second year of his apprenticeship at ABS Builders, had the added challenge of leading a father-son building event the night before at Kelston Girls College – an initiative of his church, Breakthrough Church.

“I was focused on that and it didn’t finish until around midnight. So it was all go for me on the Saturday of the competition – I only had a couple of hours to go through the construction plans.

“What helped was knowing how well the event had gone the night before. Seeing those kids and their fathers come together and do a project, and just seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces – that was priceless.”

Robert Piutau at the Nationals
“I didn’t think I’d place in the top three, especially with the calibre of guys there.”

Robert Piutau at the Nationals
Robert was stoked to be able to keep the tools provided by Mitre 10 Trade for the catapult challenge.

Family man

Although he was introduced to building by his grandfather at a young age, it took a while for Robert to realise he wanted a career in the trades.

The father of four – daughters Edenn (12) and Ayvah (9), and sons Abraham (6) and Joel (7 months) – had been a self-employed courier driver before staying at home to care for his eldest son for more than four years.

“It was a great experience being home with my son. I can honestly say it was the hardest job I’ve done.”

It was during this time that Robert realised he wanted to be a builder, thanks to a visit from his uncle.

“While I was a stay-at-home dad, I gave my uncle a hand renovating my parents’ house. That was when I realised, ‘Man, I’m actually pretty good at this’ – and I liked it too.

“I started helping family out, changing door locks and doing all the odd jobs they couldn’t do. If I didn’t know how to do something, I’d just pick it up and try to figure it out. That’s how it all started for me.”

During the years that Robert took on the bulk of the parenting, his wife Meli was studying to be a nurse. She qualified last year as a registered nurse, allowing Robert to spend more time focusing on his own career.

“We both left our studies late because we weren’t sure what we wanted to do,” says Robert. “But now we’re on the right track. My wife’s found work with Plunket, and I’m finishing my apprenticeship.”

In training

With Robert’s parents being from Tonga – his mum Melenaite from Folaha and his dad Manako from Kolofo’ou – he qualified for an MPTT scholarship. This covered his fees as well as ongoing coaching and support.

“It was a huge help because at the time my wife was still studying. We were getting by week to week without much money, so the scholarship really helped me.

“If I hadn’t got the scholarship, I don’t know if I’d have been able to study. It was a huge opportunity and I wanted to make the most of it.”

Robert completed his pre-trades course at Unitec while working as a builder on Thursdays and Fridays – experience that eventually helped him land an apprenticeship.

“The first year I decided to become a chippy, I had no idea about the terminology. I didn’t know what was what. That one-year course really prepared me for life on the job. It was pretty full-on for me to work as well as study, but we needed the money for our family.”

Seeing the growing need for skilled tradespeople, Robert knew he wanted to get qualified as soon as possible.

“I saw the benefits to doing an apprenticeship and being to learn from someone who’s experienced. I was motivated and pretty much had an apprenticeship lined up by the time I finished the year of study.”

Now that he’s well on his way to being qualified, Robert also likes to let others know about the benefits of joining MPTT.

“I introduced the scholarship to my little brother-in-law. I’d like to inspire other Māori and Pasifika to get into the trades.”

What you can learn from Robert
  • Give things a go – even if you don’t think you’ll succeed. Robert was surprised to win both his regional and national awards – but even though he hadn’t expected to win, that didn’t stop him from getting involved. While you’re gaining experience, it’s normal to worry you’re not skilled enough or not as good as other people. So instead of waiting until you feel ready, aim high and give it your best shot. No matter what, it’ll be great experience – and like Robert, you might be surprised how well you do.