Hands-On Approach gives NZ Engineers an Edge
Article published in Sunday News 26 July 2009, by Vicki Holder
Steve Ball, the Training and Recruitment Manager in charge of the apprenticeship programme at
Skills4Work in Auckland says, compared to their counterparts in other countries, our engineers are very highly qualified and trained. It also helps that “the industry here is a lot more hands-on and less automated than in other countries.
When he first came to New Zealand from England 23 years ago, Steve worked at a small engineering shop in Taupo. He recalls, “A guy came in needing a new part for his car. He asked if we could make him one. That’s typically New Zealand. We’re very adaptable here. You’ve got to think on your feet. There’s a lot of that kind of “one off” engineering project work.”
Having served a traditional four year engineering apprenticeship to become a toolmaker in the UK, Steve is a firm believer in the “earn as you learn” way to a career.
“It’s a great way to kick-start your career to anywhere you want to go. Apprenticeship training programmes are intense, but at the end of the day, they offer opportunities far beyond what you can achieve by just standing in a workshop unqualified.”
His advice for anyone thinking of becoming an engineer is to first get as many academic qualifications as you can. The minimum criteria for the Skills4Work programme is NCEA Level 1 or 2, but Steve says prospects improve their chances by achieving the highest level of NCEA. From there, he says, try to get around various industries to help decide which sort of engineering career is right for you.
“Each of the environments are so different, whether you choose to be in fabrication; machining; toolmaking; maintenance or refrigeration. If you’re the kind of person who likes working complex machinery and making precision components then toolmaking and machining is where you want to be. Conversely, if you enjoy shaping, bending and welding different metals then its fabrication. They all come with different working environments, specialist tools and challenges.”
The task of helping potential engineers into a job is made a lot easier by Skills4Work. Basically, says Steve, it’s a one-stop shop, when it comes to looking for an apprenticeship. “Instead of pounding the streets, knocking on doors, people keen on an apprenticeship, or the recent school leaver can phone us and ask us for advice.
“We do the interview, test them and arrange to meet the prospective employer. We present that company with their portfolio. The company meets them and if they like them, they take them on. They’re still our employee but they’re with the company throughout the apprenticeship.
“For businesses, we offer a service where the apprentice is our employee. We look after their pay and ACC levies, block course and night class booking and administration etc. It’s a contract situation so if anything goes wrong, the onus is on us. It allows the business managers and owners to focus on running the business while we mentor and manage the apprentices training programme.”
The apprenticeship with Skills4Work is a combined workshop and classroom programme lasting typically from four to four and a half years, incorporating night classes and block courses, as well as workplace assessments. Practical engineering skills are assessed for competency alongside theory and practical workshop tasks. At the end of the course, apprentices have an internationally recognised, Level 4, trade qualification and they usually step straight into tradesperson roles for which they have been specially trained - a great outcome for the apprentice, Skills4Work and the business that has supported them.
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