Apprentice jobs soar 348 per cent

By Carmen Hall

Bay of Plenty Times·

30 May, 2015 07:54 PM5 mins to read

Maverick Adshead says his trade will set him up for the future and he has his sights set on a successful career. Photo / Andrew Warner

Tauranga's sizzling job market has seen a 348 per cent year-on-year increase in apprenticeships in the region.

Local business leaders say business confidence is soaring and more employers are offering to train people for highly sought-after qualifications.

Data from the Tertiary Education Commission show the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) had 336 in 2014, up from 75 in 2013. In the first three months of this year it had 312 apprentices.

The majority of those were specialising in carpentry although other trades included proprietary plaster cladding systems, painting and decorating and flooring.

Bay of Plenty Polytechnic carpentry apprenticeships had also lifted 40 per cent over the same period, with 110 people undergoing training.

The increase in apprenticeships comes amid a buoyant job market.

Earlier this month a Trade Me report showed a 41 per cent increase in job listings from January 2015 to March compared with the same period in 2014.

BCITO chief executive Ruma Karaitiana said the massive spike in apprenticeship numbers was due to "growth coming out of the recession".

An amalgamation of Flooring/Painting ITO and Joinery ITO had also lifted figures but that merger only accounted for 64 apprentices in Tauranga, he said.

There was a big demand for apprentices and fully qualified people in the region, he said.

"A young person can get into the industry, complete an apprenticeship and get established in the industry right now while there is plenty of work ahead for many years to come."

Area manager Tony Love said the industry had responded to demand by "taking on apprentices in record numbers".

Bay of Plenty Polytechnic carpentry group leader Brian Dillon said the gap in the market appeared to exist with newly qualified apprentices and those with four years' experience.

However, he had noticed a tapering off in apprentice numbers in 2015.

Priority One projects manager Annie Hill said some sectors were experiencing skill shortages "largely due to businesses experiencing growth as the economy expands".

"It is important that we train our young people ... construction apprenticeships give a solid ground for rewarding careers."

Tauranga Chamber of Commerce interim chief executive Toni Palmer said the growth in apprentice numbers was an indicator that "businesses are feeling confident about carrying the cost of training an apprentice and shows a solution to the skills shortage."

"The building industry appears to be very buoyant at the moment, which filters down through the subtrades and associated industries.

"It also attracts the tradespeople back that left for Christchurch and Australia, as the demand for skills increases."

Shaw Builders owner Dave Shaw had three apprentices working for him and had been training apprentices for the past 15 years.

"It is worth training them up or else you don't have any coming through. Building is actually a hard trade to be in but it creates a good career pathway."

D&B Construction director David Merrett said his company had four apprentices and "obviously it's hard to find skilled labour at the moment".

A Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment spokesperson said its Occupation Outlook report for 2015 showed carpenters and joiners usually earn between $16 to $30 per hour depending on skills and experience.

The average annual income earned is estimated to be $44,400.

Carpentry and joinery apprentices were likely to enter the trade on the training wage of $11.80 per hour (before tax) or on the minimum wage of $14.75 per hour (before tax).

But a Tauranga recruitment agency said a site foreman could earn between $26 to $35 an hour with a vehicle, phone and electrical devices included in their contract.

Apprentice gains valuable carpentry skills for future use

Standing on a building site with the ocean behind his back, Maverick Adshead says he likes going to work.

The 20-year-old carpentry apprentice says the trade will set him up for the future and skills learned now will be useful his whole life.

"I like that whole aspect of making something and standing back and looking at it. You have pride and the sense of self-achievement."

"Later on, I can build my own house and will be able to fix all those niggly little things."

Being part of the award-winning Shaw Builders team meant high expectations had been placed on his shoulders but "it has to be perfect and you get that in your head".

The company specialised in the high-end homes and Maverick says "the houses are top of the line and everything is out of this world".

He likened the building process to putting together a big puzzle and liked to think eventually he would master the craft. But it was all about earning respect, starting at the bottom and working his way up.

"It's not all about building, I do cleaning up and getting stuff organised and supplies stacked and ready. You are not going to rock up here and be on the top of the list, you have to earn it."

Maverick started his apprenticeship with Shaw Builders under BCITO in November after doing a pre-trade course with the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, which involved three days of study and another three gaining an insight with Shaw Builders.

It will take him about four years to qualify and he has his sights set on staying in the industry but is also contemplating studying architecture further down the track as he enjoys sketching and drawing.

"I will have the practical knowledge of doing everything on site with my hands, which will make a lot more sense when I have to draw up plans on paper and the computer."