Getting college students to 'best fit' tertiary studies

Clinton Dysart was awarded the Randall Shaw Memorial Award at Whitireia New Zealand today (Wednesday 30 March), as the building trade polytechnic student “most likely to succeed”. Dysart already has an apprenticeship, with McAllister Builders. He started there late in 2010, completing his qualification in a night course.

Clinton Dysart chose to study carpentry, he enrolled at Whitireia. He was supported by a Whitireia Schools’ Scholarship to transition to tertiary study. Carpentry tutor Nick Hall says “he has a passion for carpentry.” He was identified at school for this and encouraged on this pathway.

The award is made by the Plimmerton Rotary Club, in memory of Rotarian Randall Shaw. “Clinton Dysart has great leadership skills and meets the criteria for the highest professional and ethical standards,” says Phillip Reidy, President of Plimmerton Rotary. “He was the Head Boy at Mana College in 2009.”

Vocations require real world skills and provide all the rewards of other pathways. “Randall Shaw was innovative and ethical,” says Ready. “He built a school in Fiji, a skate park in Porirua and was involved in the harbour walkway before his untimely death.” Randal Shaw made a mid-life decision to become a builder, from a career in professional services. “The economy will struggle without good trades people. The perception is that trades are not at the level of university” says Reidy.

“Whitireia places a lot of importance on upskilling in trades; important for the infrastructure of this city, important for Christchurch. Our success (pass) rate has continued to improve, from 73% of students to 77% of students,” says Don Campbell, Whitireia Chief Executive.

The award will assist Dysart on his way, providing $1,000 in tools from Bright Building Supplies. Dysart was congratulated by Porirua Mayor Nick Leggett and MP for Mana Kris Faafoi.

“As a career choice, trades training can set you up for life,” says Mayor Leggett.

Course such as this have a large practical component, but they also challenge students with theory and concepts. “The winner of this award has to be the right calibre of person, to have the personality and the performance,” says Reidy.

ENDS

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