NorthTec’s students in elite training competitions

NorthTec’s students in elite training competitions

He might have missed out on winning a national title but NorthTec carpentry apprentice, Michael Ferris, has achieved a lot so early in his building career.

Michael represented the Northland Region at the third Industry Training Association Building (iTaB) Apprentice Challenge in Wellington over the weekend at the Certified Builders Conference. It proved quite an experience for Michael that also provided him with good knowledge about where the industry is heading.

Michael is currently studying towards a National Certificate in Carpentry (Level 4) at NorthTec and is serving an iTaB apprenticeship with David Millar Builders Ltd. Last year, Michael was also awarded a $500 joint scholarship by NorthTec and the New Zealand Institute of Building (NZIOB) Northern Chapter for his top academic performance.

After winning the regional heats to reach the iTaB Apprentice Challenge final, Michael, along with five other students from other Polytechnics around the country, battled each other in an eight hour practical test. They then had to face a panel interview and a public speaking exercise to determine the eventual winner.

Their every move was watched closely by almost 400 CBANZ members in attendance at the conference. This was something that Michael admitted was somewhat daunting to start with.

Prior to the trip to Wellington, the contenders needed to complete a portfolio of their work history and include pictorials, references and supporting documentation of their achievements from their employer.

Although Michael did not place at the competition this year, he intends to be back in 2013 a little older and wiser.

Michael’s employer, Dave Millar, of David Millar Builders Ltd, said that his apprentice, who had just begun his second year of the apprenticeship, was by far the youngest at the national finals.

Despite coming up against tough competitors, Michael said he was pleased to have made the final and been able to test his limits in front of his peers.

He said being at the CBANZ conference gave him the opportunity to network with other CBANZ members and he was able to learn more about the legislative reforms that are going to play a significant part in shaping practices that are acceptable for the building and construction sector.

“I discovered that to work in this industry it is not only vital to have a formal qualification, but also to uphold high work standards to ensure the ongoing credibility of our industry,” Michael explained.

On 13 March, both the Building Amendment Act 2012 and the Licensed Building Practitioner scheme (LBP) came into effect that places emphasis on higher standards by those working in the industry, giving added protection to home buyers and home owners.

Certified Builders Chief Executive, Grant Florence, said it supported the reforms and lobbied to get the LBP scheme introduced.

Certified Builders members he says are the only builders in New Zealand who are guaranteed to have trade qualifications equivalent to or better than National Trade Certificate in Carpentry (Level 4).

The Building Amendment Act (4) includes a range of measures designed to hold building practitioners to account who are not meeting the standard of work expected.

Engineering graduate offered a stern test before World Skills Nationals

It will now be Rodney Nelson’s turn to show the value of his NorthTec training when the Automotive Engineering graduate takes part in the World Skills nationals in Christchurch during the first week of July.

World Skills New Zealand Technical Delegate, Malcolm Whinham, said that the World Skills Competition is open to anyone under 23 years old in trades training, with seven regional competitions held around the country bi-annually to determine the national finalists in 19 different categories.

If Rodney performs at his best in Christchurch, he is confident of going one better than he did two years ago, when he placed second at the NZ World Skills nationals in Christchurch in September 2010.

“I am looking to take out the National World Skills title this year,” Rodney said determined.

After finishing school at just 16, Rodney enrolled for the Pre-Trade Certificate in Automotive Engineering at NorthTec.

“It was something I enjoyed – getting my hands dirty and problem solving with mechanics. I just instinctively knew it was the career I wanted.”

After completing his Pre-trade Certificate at NorthTec, Rodney went on to complete a tractor apprenticeship. He is now employed by Field Power Northland Limited as a specialist mechanic.

World Skills will culminate with the International World Skills Competition in Germany in July 2013.

Mr Whinham recognizes that NorthTec has been well represented at national and international levels of the competition in recent years and believes there is no reason why Rodney cannot make it to Germany next year. World Skills is an international organisation that strives for excellence across all trades training.

While managing to win the automotive engineering category at the regional World Skills and book his place in the national final, Rodney said it did not come easy with the regional heat being quite intense.

As an example, one of the six tasks at the regional competition won by Rodney required the competitors to strip, diagnose and put back together a gearbox out of a Mazda car in only one hour after being informed it was difficult to engage fifth gear – a job that normally would take between three and four hours.

Rodney said what he faced was far tougher than he expected that provided him with a stern challenge that was good preparation heading into the nationals in Christchurch.

ENDS

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