Students on path to trade jobs

Marco Rodrigue has secured an apprenticeship with an electrical firm. Photo / Supplied

Marco Rodrigue knew university would be a waste of money for him. He was over school and he wanted to do practical, hands-on learning.

When his mate secured an apprenticeship with an electrical firm after taking part in Bream Bay College's Gateway programme, Marco's interest was sparked too.

"I approached the Gateway co-ordinator and was set up with Laser Electrical," says Marco. "I went to work every Monday over five months. I really enjoyed it. I'd always thought it would be a useful trade. I turned up on time and was tidier than I had ever been. The people at Laser treated me like a first year apprentice. I got good feedback, they said I made a good addition to the team and I really liked the people who worked there.

"This was a great way to see what working is really like. It was good to do it with the support of the school because they check up on you. It's nice to have someone keep you on track especially with paper work and where you are up to with credits. I did my first aid and health and safety hazard identification credits through school as well.

"When the placement ended I asked if there was an apprenticeship opportunity and they agreed to take me on. I start at the end of the school year."

Marco has achieved NCEA Level 2 with a Vocational Pathway in Manufacturing & Technology, the qualification considered as crucial for success in further education and work-based training. The credits also align with what is necessary in the first year of an electrical apprenticeship, so he is well on his way to a bright future.

He also completed the Gateway placement unit package supplied by Skills.org.nz, and he achieved the Electrotechnology 101 certificate, the first student in New Zealand to achieve that this year.

Gateway programmes are aligned to Vocational Pathways which provide a useful tool for course planning to provide cohesive learning options that are recommended by industry.

General manager for Laser Electrical Whangarei, Ryan Trigg, says they have had only positive experiences with the students sent their way.

"We are always on the lookout for new apprentices. Generally we take a new one every year and have two or three placements," said Mr Trigg.

"If the students are any good, we look at taking the next step. We have a couple of the guys trained up as assessors. It's up to the students to fill out the paperwork and if they do the job well and learn on site, we are happy to sign off their credits."

Bream Bay College Co-ordinator, Gina D'Ath says the school puts 48 students through the placement programme each year.

"It is an awesome taster for students to experience industries they may not otherwise have the opportunity to," she said.

"We have a small community but some big industry players such as Marsden Point Oil Refinery and NIWA's landmark Bream Bay Aquaculture Park. Our goal as a school is to work with industry to keep improving the links between education and the workforce.

"A lot of that work is understanding what each of us is doing, and meeting needs."

- This article was submitted to our Youth Advocate page by Bream Bay College