Opportunities and forever homes!

The Ara Education Charitable Trust provides work experience, career education and industry opportunities to students in their last year of school – and PlaceMakers is happy to help!  

The Ara Education Charitable Trust (AECT) is a collaboration between industry, government agencies and schools to create work and training opportunities for school leavers from eight South Auckland schools – Aorere College, Manurewa High, Onehunga High and Southern Cross Campus. 

It was initially set up as Ara Jobs and Skills Hub by Auckland Airport in 2015 to connect South Auckland communities and job seekers with businesses looking to fill positions at and around the airport. 

When Covid-19 hit, some aspects of AECT’s remit became unfeasible. So, the focus shifted to school engagement and wider industry applications. 

“AECT provides opportunities across all industries in New Zealand, however a key focus of ours is to support students in the transition from school into the construction industry through skills training, obtaining their driver’s licences, certification and addressing any other skills gaps to ensure they are ready for the workforce,” said Trust General Manager Dr Sarah Redmond. 

Forever Home, forever jobs

One of the ways in which AECT supports students in the transition into construction is the Forever Home initiative – a project to turn a derelict house into a warm, sustainable and livable home. The house, donated by Auckland Airport, is worked on one day per week by students from the eight South Auckland schools under the watchful eye of carpentry tutors Willie Malakai and Mat Watford. 

The three-bedroom, one-bathroom farmhouse with “holes in the floor, walls and roof” is being transformed by AECT students into a modern, sustainable home with solar panels, thermal blinds and an HRV system. 

“These students are receiving practical, hands-on skills training while working on this house, which will help give them a solid foundation to enter the workforce once they finish school at the end of this year,” explained Dr Redmond in October 2023. 

The house is due to be completed by the end of November, after which it will be auctioned off, with all proceeds going back to the trust, so it can continue its work with students from some of Auckland’s most deprived areas. 

Personal development Malakai said it has been rewarding to watch the growth in confidence of the students working on the project. 

“It’s been amazing to see their skills develop. At the start of the project, they didn’t know how to measure or use basic tools. It took three weeks to teach them the basics, and now they’re so confident – they can cut material without second-guessing themselves and it’s so satisfying to see.” 

Many of the students have now been signed on as apprentices. 

“I’d say the kids involved in this project are now way ahead of other first year apprentices in terms of skill level, and I’m confident they’re going to go and make something of their lives. I’m so happy for them.” 

PlaceMakers supported the Forever Home project by setting up a trade account and supplying several products for free, including an entire kitchen. 

Malakai said the Trust will continue to support young people beyond completion of the Forever Home project. 

“We have another programme called Ara Rangatahi Pathways to Employment, which is aimed at helping young people, aged 15-25, who have finished school and aren’t sure about their next steps. For this programme, we’ve had nine houses donated by Kāinga Ora, Piritahi, Auckland Airport and Auckland Council, which will all be renovated by our rangatahi and building tutors. 

“The kids come in on three-month rotations and then we help get them into the workforce. It’s been working well so far!” 

Closing the gender gap

AECT also runs the Maori & Pasifika Women in Construction Project, which shows young Maori and Pasifika women what the construction industry can offer in terms of career pathways. 

“We equip them with everything they need to be successful in an industry that’s traditionally male-dominated,” explained Dr Redmond. 

Part of the work AECT does with Maori & Pasifika women involves running work experience programmes. 

“Students get the opportunity to work on some amazing work sites for one day a week throughout their final year of school.  

“Thanks to the ongoing support of Auckland International Airport Limited, Icon Construction and and Hawkins Construction, our students have had the chance to work on commercial construction sites ranging from the extension of Auckland Airport to large hotels, corporate offices and large residential developments.”  

PlaceMakers support

PlaceMakers GM Marketing Sharon Lyndon says that grassroots charities such as AECT are doing vital work, which PlaceMakers is delighted to get behind. 

“We’re incredibly proud to support the valuable work that AECT undertakes in the South Auckland community. PlaceMakers is dedicated to helping introduce as many people as possible to our industry from all backgrounds, ethnicities and genders and to helping provide a wider talent pool for future builders. When we learned about the Forever Project and the positive outcomes it is creating, it was an easy decision for us to jump on board.”