Young Christchurch Scaffolder Reaches New Heights

Reihana Fraser is New Zealand’s ‘Scaffolding Student of the Year’.

Fraser, a team leader with Daveron Scaffolding in Christchurch, received the award in Dunedin on Saturday evening during the annual Scaffolding and Rigging New Zealand (SARNZ) conference dinner.

“Reihana’s got a very bright future in the industry,” says Tai Poutini’s Programme Coordinator – Scaffolding (Southern Region), Vadim Spice, one of the Award’s six judges. “He has worked his way up through the industry over the years, dedicating himself to training and hands-on experience in the workplace. He’s done really well.”

Fraser (“an unemployed young lad”) started his training with Tai Poutini Polytechnic at their Christchurch campus eight years ago, when he completed a 12-week pre-trade course which equipped him with some basic workplace skills.

Through Tai Poutini’s work experience programme, he got a job with Daveron Scaffolding where he has worked ever since while gaining his basic scaffolding and advanced scaffolding tickets. “He now successfully leads a team of workers and wins some really good contracts,” says Spice. “A typical day for Reihana involves meeting with clients, designing and erecting scaffolding, managing a team of 3-4 guys and ensuring the work meets their clients’ needs. It’s like running a micro-company within an organisation.”

As well as the recognition an award like this brings, Fraser receives a scholarship for Tai Poutini’s Diploma in Scaffolding Management; a gold-plated scaffolding spanner and a selection of top-of-the-line tools and safety gear donated by SARNZ members; a prize package of around $5,000.

Tai Poutini Polytechnic runs a National Certificate in Scaffolding and is recognised by the industry as the preferred national trainer. “Unlike most industries, where a formal qualification is an extra, a trade certificate is mandatory for those working in the scaffolding industry, under the Health & Safety Employment Act. It’s a small, highly-specialised industry which places great emphasis on safety and professionalism.”

The programme is run on a regular basis at five Tai Poutini campuses – Christchurch, Dunedin, Auckland, Wellington and Tauranga, but with groups of six students or more, the polytechnic will send trainers to smaller centres such as Napier and New Plymouth. “We will go to them.”

Tai Poutini works closely with Scaffolding and Rigging NZ, an industry body concerned with development, training, representation and general professionalism within the industry. Its membership consists of major scaffolding and rigging contractors, as well as smaller companies and individuals.

ENDS

© Scoop Media