Trade apprentices Outward Bound

Trade apprentices Outward Bound

Four young building and construction apprentices are set to take on a new personal challenge in the Marlborough Sounds, after winning the annual Specialists Trades Outward Bound Scholarships from the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO).

The successful apprentices are Jacob Storr of Drywall Solutions in Tauranga, Darrell Craig of Y-Tex 2000 in Whitianga, Thomas Mills of Bream Bay Coatings in Ruakaka, and Jesse Kennerley-Williams of G.M.H Manufacturing in Katikati.

They will each attend a tailored 21-day Outward Bound programme with other apprentices from around the country at Anakiwa (near Picton) later this year. The course covers challenging physical activities such as kayaking and a high wire course, along with activities that focus on personal development, relationship-building and self confidence.

Each scholarship is worth more than $4000, and includes travel to and from Outward Bound in Anakiwa.

“I think it’s important to try new things and not to hold back, so I was thrilled when I found out about winning the scholarship,” Jacob, who is completing a National Certificate in Plaster Board Fixing and Finishing, says.

“I’ve heard the Outward Bound course can be quite challenging but I applied for it to increase my knowledge of the outdoors and build my confidence and self esteem.”

In order to qualify for the BCITO scholarship, applicants had to be enrolled in a current specialist trade qualification with BCITO, be aged between 18 and 26 years of age and be able to jog 3.2km in less than 25 minutes.

Applicants were also required to outline their future aspirations for a career in the building and construction industry and include references from both their current employer and from their BCITO Training Advisor.

The scholarship selection panel assessed each applicant on personal qualities including their attitude, motivation and enthusiasm towards their trade, while gaining an understanding of their knowledge of the theoretical and practical elements of their qualification.
BCITO chief executive Ruma Karaitiana, who was a member of the scholarship selection panel, said there was a very high standard of applications this year, across a range of the specialist trades offered by BCITO.
“All of the applicants showed exceptional skill and ability in their trades, which made it extremely difficult to select only four winners,” Mr Karaitiana said.
“However, the four winners demonstrated the realisation of their potential and had strong support and recommendation from their employers and BCITO Training Advisors.”

The scholarship programme is now in its fourth year and is offered annually to four BCITO specialist trades trainees, aged between 18 and 26 years. Specialist trades trainees are apprentices completing a National Certificate in areas other than carpentry, including:
• Cement and Concrete
• Floor and Wall Tiling
• Frame and Truss Manufacturing
• Interior Systems
• Proprietary Plaster Cladding Systems
• Solid Plastering.

For more information about the BCITO Specialist Trades Outward Bound Scholarships, please visit www.bcito.org.nz

ENDS

© Scoop Media