Tour opens eyes to trades

Conner McClellan, 17, went along on the Big Construction Tour in Tauranga yesterday. Photo / George Novak

A skills shortage in the construction industry has prompted one of the leading trade training organisations in the country to encourage Bay students to consider a career in the trades.

About 40 teens from a number of secondary schools in Tauranga were given the opportunity to take a close-up look at Tauranga's building and construction industry on the Big Construction Tour organised by Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) yesterday.

The Tauranga tour participants joined more than 800 other students around the country who have been taken to visit some of the nation's biggest construction sites and developments.

The tour's aim was to emphasise the need in the industry for more young tradies to get involved.

In this booming industry there is a shortage of skills in a wide range of areas, creating chances for apprenticeships and great careers.

Tauranga teen Conner McClellan went along on the tour with his worn-in work boots to learn about the trade industry as a whole.

The 17-year-old is currently involved in a building pre-apprenticeship.

"I'm keen for the building side of things but it's good to know all this other stuff in case I want to get into it later on," Conner said.

"I'm just getting my experience stacked up and I've learnt heaps just from today."

Students in hi-vis jackets visited a number of home and kitchen businesses around Tauranga to get a taste of what it was like to work in the demanding industry.

Jason Bean, BCITO's Tauranga training administrator said it was important to encourage young students to get involved in the trade industry now. "If they can get trained up now and are reliable and turn up on time and are good workers, they'll do really well," Mr Bean said.

Tauranga secondary school students toured different building and construction businesses to gain a taste of the booming trade industry.

He said the tour highlighted what physical and mental aspects were needed for a hard working job.

BCITO chief executive Ruma Karaitiana said New Zealand needed more young people to learn practical skills "that are in such high demand".

"School leavers who decide they want to start an apprenticeship can be confident they won't struggle to get work, there are so many great opportunities," Mr Karaitiana said.

"We want to showcase the different opportunities and trades that are available in the construction industry.

"The day will also provide an opportunity for employers to meet some real career seekers they may wish to interview and take on," Mr Karaitiana said.

At the end of the Heirloom Kitchens tour, students were offered the chance to return and apply for work experience.

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