Kawakawa carpentry students take next step

Kawakawa carpentry students take next step towards careers

Eight students from Kawakawa will be taking the next step towards careers in the building industry when they embark on the one-year level 4 pre-trade carpentry programme at NorthTec’s Future Trades campus in Whangarei next semester.

The students, who range in age from 16 to 26, have completed a level 2 Elementary Construction at the Bay of Islands Vintage Railway Trust’s site in Kawakawa with tutor Varron Armstrong.

NorthTec will be providing transport to get the students to and from Kawakawa three days a week with students sourcing their own practical experience with local builders.

26-year old student and mother Maudinna Milner has a firm vision for what the course will mean for her. “It’s the future for me. It’s my career.” Maudinna wants to be a builder and has already been gaining experience working alongside her father over the past three years. “He’s a builder and has given me the opportunity to work on a variety of tasks.”

Maudinna has also secured part-time work with Carters in Opua. “The local industry have been really supportive of those of us on the programme and we hope to get work experience with Kawakawa builders.”

She is full of praise for their current tutor. “Varron has been a really excellent teacher for all of us. He’s given 100 per cent. We’ve worked on some great practical tasks including a complete rebuild of a cowshed.”

NorthTec tutor on the Whangarei carpentry programme Steve Sandford-Hill said that he has been impressed with Maudinna and the other students who will be starting with him next month. “The skills they will be developing will set them up for their apprenticeship and will give them professional skills that they can contribute to their community. It’s great to see the students completing their level 2 studies and moving to the next level.”

Steve said that there are still a few places available on the level 4 programme and he is fielding enquiries from potential students from Whangarei and further afield.

Students who are interested in enrolling for the programme or would like more information can contact NorthTec on 0800 162 100.

NorthTec is the Tai Tokerau (Northland) region's largest provider of tertiary education, with campuses and learning centres in Whangarei, Kerikeri, Rāwene, Dargaville, Kaikohe and Kaitaia. NorthTec also has over 60 community-based delivery points from Coatesville in rural Rodney to Ngataki in the Far North.

ENDS

© Scoop Media