FROM THE GROUND UP

Our apprentice column provides an opportunity for PAC members to share their views, experiences and ideas, while providing insight for builders who employ them. This month’s question is:

Q. What has made the biggest difference to your apprenticeship this year?

Name: Brian
Location: Christchurch

The thing that’s made the biggest difference to my apprenticeship this year has been Fees Free, which I was eligible for this year. Having access to the scheme has saved me $1,000 and that’s a lot of money when you’re only earning apprenticeship wages.

I’ve also had some experience with other Government initiatives to help apprentices into the industry, but that didn’t go too well for me. I had one employer who took me on thanks to the Apprenticeship Boost, but I got the impression he just did it for the money and it didn’t end very well for me.

Moving employer has made a big difference to my apprenticeship. I’ve been getting heaps more assistance now, and my boss is really invested in my success. He’s on top of me all the time about making sure my standards are high, which is great for my learning.

Name: Carlos
Location: Auckland

The company I’m with has made the biggest difference to my apprenticeship – they’ve been awesome. We have quarterly catch-ups with our bosses and the other apprentices on site to go over topics we’re finding tricky to study on our own.

That’s really helped me get to grips with certain subjects and build my confidence. It’s helped me see that I’m not struggling by myself. It’s also brought the apprentices closer together, and we’re able to bounce off each other and provide tips and tricks to help us get through challenges or obstacles we’ve faced.

We also have an in-house design team, and I’ve been able to talk to them to get a good understanding of the construction industry as a whole. I’ve really enjoyed that aspect of work over the past 12 months.

Name: Aaron
Location: Wellington

The biggest help I’ve had has been from BCITO, which encouraged me to apply for the Fees Free programme. 

I really need that this year, because it’s a struggle to survive on an apprenticeship rate when you’re a mature learner with all the associated bills to pay. 

The thing that would help me the most in the next 12 months would be to find an employer to take me on for the final year of my apprenticeship. I was with someone, but I didn’t agree with some of the things that were happening on site, so I thought it would be best to wait and complete my apprenticeship with someone else.

As someone who has been around the industry a long time, I haven’t really needed too much help from my employer regarding learning, although it’s been useful to keep up to date with important regulation changes such as H1. I’ve been able to find all the resources I need to do that by myself.