Tradies build dream house for NZ’s toughest customers

7 May 2018

The Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) is today launching a new campaign aiming to show New Zealanders anything is possible with a career in the trades.

Called TradeUP, the goal of the campaign is to encourage more Kiwis to sign-up to an apprenticeship in order to meet the demand the construction industry continues to face.

To demonstrate what is possible in the trades, a group of talented Kiwi apprentices had just five days to build one of the most difficult design briefs they will ever receive.

Wellington siblings, eight-year-old Xavier and six-year-old Tui, designed their dream house, complete with his and hers turrets, a slide and a rock climbing wall.

The group of seven BCITO apprentices had just five days to make this dream a reality and showcase that anything is possible.

The project was led by Cody Webby, who recently completed his apprenticeship through BCITO.

“The team had their work cut out for them to get the job completed on time and up to the high expectations of Xavier and Tui. This isn’t your regular project, it tested their skills to the limits – but they were up for the challenge and Tui and Xavier were stoked with the results,” says Webby.

BCITO is the leading provider of building and construction industry apprenticeships in New Zealand. The build showcased many of the 15 trades that BCITO offers including carpentry, brick and block laying and glass and glazing.

BCITO Chief Executive Warwick Quinn says he hopes the project will encourage more people to consider a career in the trades.

“New Zealand still desperately needs more apprentices in the building and construction industry to meet demand. About 50,000 workers are needed in the construction industry over the next five years, about half of these need to be trade qualified,” says Quinn.

“The construction industry is facing huge demand with an increase of 13% in job numbers expected over the next four years. We need to attract more people and it’s not just to fill the typical roles people first think of like being on the tools.”

Apprenticeships provide fantastic and varied career opportunities for people with a range of skillsets and passions.”

Quinn says the ability to earn while you learn and the Government’s new fees free policy which covers the first two years of an apprenticeship make it a fantastic opportunity for people to consider.

“We hope that when people see what is possible that more Kiwis will consider trading up to an apprenticeship.”

About BCITO

BCITO is the largest provider of construction trade apprenticeships in New Zealand. It is appointed by the Government to develop and implement industry qualifications for the building and construction sector. BCITO provide a range of apprenticeships across fifteen trades within the building and construction industry.

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