Attitude has NorthTec student on the road to a bright future

Media release:

The ‘right’ attitude has NorthTec student on the road to a bright future

NorthTec Carpentry student Waikeri Oppert, 18, exemplifies what is being sought by the building industry, and is a reflection of what is being delivered on across many NorthTec programmes says Director of Trades and Innovation Ian Swindells.

An aspiring builder from Hihi near Kaitaia, Waikeri was one of four NorthTec students last week to receive coveted scholarships for outstanding learning achievement. Other recipients of the scholarships were Jack Cowley (Pre-trade carpentry at Whangarei), Nick Smith (Architecture) and Rebecca Hill (Electrical) also Kaitaia.

The scholarships worth $500 each was the ninth year NorthTec had partnered The New Zealand Institute of Building Northern chapter in sponsoring the prestigious awards that recognise the achievements of NorthTec learners and assists in helping to “future-proof” the industry.

Well earned: The 2010 recipients of the jointly sponsored NorthTec and New Zealand Institute of Building scholarships for outstanding learning achievement are from left to right: Jack Cowley (Whangarei) Waikeri Oppert, Rebecca Hill and Nick Smith from the Kaitaia campus.

Mr Swindells says a recent Northland advisory industry meeting established that what industry experts wanted from those upskilling themselves for work above all else was ethics, attitude, and honesty.

Steve Ramaka one of two Kaitaia NorthTec tutors who travelled to Whangarei for the awards evening with Waikeri and his family, says the eighteen-year-old displays all the right characteristics to become a welcome contributor to the building industry.

He revealed that for the entire length of the 34 week course, Waikeri had shown so much promise, commitment and enthusiasm for what he was doing he was actually hitching a ride every day from Hihi to attend, a distance of around 55 kilometres away. While it was difficult for Waikeri – he would sometimes be the first to show up to class Mr Ramaka commented.

The pre-trade carpentry course has a practical component to it as well and Mr Ramaka, who has been tutoring at Kaitaia’s NorthTec campus now for around 4.5 years, says this is where Waikeri really shone through.

“He (Waikeri) transformed from being very shy and quiet to becoming quite a confident and respectful young man. We even began to rely on him.”

Mr Ramaka says starting out, Waikeri had struggled with the theory but to his credit, Waikeri persevered because with a family he knew that is what was required.

He said Waikeri would be an asset to any company whether in the building trade or any other industry. “But he (Waikeri) definitely wants to be a builder.”

Once his Pre-trade course is complete, Waikeri hopes to remain in the Kaitaia area for an apprenticeship but says he doesn’t really mind where he exercises his new-found skills and knowledge. “I just want to learn and get a bit of experience,” he said.

He says when first starting on the course at Kaitaia run by Mr Ramaka and Murray Smith he did not know much, but their helpful and inclusive approach had helped him gain the confidence needed to carry out the essentials of carpentry.

“Any time I needed a hand they were there. It was the main reason I wanted to go to the course all the time,” he said.

Waikeri found this teaching approach different to his school days.

Founder of The New Zealand Institute of Building Northern chapter Trevor Griffiths said it was good to be giving all the scholarship winners a kickstart to their careers.

“I was given the same opportunity and so it is nice to be giving back. It is an investment in the future of our industry.”

New Zealand Institute of Building chapter Chairman Karsten Thomsen had similar sentiments saying it was just great to see there was some new blood coming in which as an industry leader, it wanted to support 100 per cent.

“With the reputation NorthTec has been developing, it is important to have that link with the industry locally,” Mr Thomsen said.

Mr Griffiths said to date around $32,000 in scholarships had been handed out with these awards the beginning of the second part of a 14-year deal. Mr Swindells of NorthTec told those gathered it was a partnership both NorthTec and the NZIOB looked forward to continuing.

This year’s awards evening was sponsored by Placemakers, Ricoh, Autex, Dulux, Trespa and NorthTec.

ENDS

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