GIB and PlaceMakers PASS on knowledge

Apprentices gain valuable product insight on GIB factory tour.

Becoming a good builder is about more than just building – knowledge of the products being used is also key to constructing quality homes. With this in mind, Winstone Wallboards invited five PlaceMakers Apprentice Scholarship Scheme (PASS) participants from the top of the North Island to visit its Penrose factory.

“It was a great opportunity to show these young guys – who are learning about work on the building site – what happens on the other side of the fence before the product is dropped off,” says PlaceMakers Counties branch operator Mark Buckenham, who took his store’s two apprentices, Taylor Oaks and Aaron Coe.

“They had the chance to see how GIB products go from raw to finished, which also provides insight as to why it’s such a good product.”

The apprentices and their respective branch operators were also given a technical session about GIB Fire Rated, Noise Control and Ezybrace systems.

“The feedback from the apprentices was very positive – they said there was a lot more to the products than they would have thought!” says Mark.

Six months into the PASS programme, Mark is pleased with how his new trainees are progressing.

“The benefits are two-fold,” he says. “We’re helping train the next generation of builders that our current customers need to keep up with the increase in work, and we’re providing the building blocks of a great career for these aspiring young guys.”