Apprentice of the Month – SEPTEMBER

Iona Allinson, a first-year apprentice, faced her fear of heights to take home September’s Apprentice of the Month! 

Despite finding herself in a “stressful” environment, Iona managed to overcome her insecurities and successfully complete her work on a roof.

“I know it’s part of the job, but I find working at heights really stressful,” explains the Auckland-based apprentice. “I’ve been doing it for the past couple of weeks and, because of my fear of heights, it hasn’t been easy.”

Iona says she’s worked at height before, but her current role – working on a school construction project in Orewa – is next level, literally.

“Most days I’m working on scaffolding that’s four levels up, which is the highest I’ve ever worked from,” she says. 

The rules and regulations around working at height – and safety on site in general – have become a focus point for the construction industry over the past few years and Iona says she’s grateful for that. 

“I still don’t really like being on the roof but at least I feel safer, because we are using all the correct safety equipment to minimise risk and everyone is taking it seriously.”

Iona says she is committed to keeping herself safe and doesn’t think she could handle it if those around her weren’t.

“My life is valuable and it’s not worth risking using an unsafe setup at height.”

She was also grateful to learn that her co-workers were accepting of her limits.

“I’ve learned that it’s okay to say I can’t do things. For example, I’m not comfortable reaching up to use a nail gun – partly because I’m only a few months into my apprenticeship and partly because of the height factor – and no one made me feel bad about it.”

Iona, who won a 20L Yeti tote bag, was pretty happy with her victory.

“It’s pretty cool. I don’t think I’ve won anything I’ve applied for before this!”