Excellence wins NZIOB awards for NorthTec four

Media Release

10 December 2013

Excellence wins NZIOB awards for NorthTec four

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Louise Spraggon

Excellence in application and attitude has won four NorthTec construction, building and architecture students $500 scholarships each at the annual New Zealand Institute of Building (NZIOB) Northland branch awards night in Whangarei.

The 2013 award winners, as recommended by their tutors are carpentry students Louise Spraggon, Marshall Harman, Peter Lipanovich and first year architecture student Emma Johnson.

“We’re pleased to recognise them for their academic achievements through the year, “says Taina Savage, Programme Leader for Built Environment and Safety.

“All four of them put in the sort of enthusiastic effort that goes above and beyond what was expected of them and there is no doubting that they thoroughly deserve the recognition accorded to them.

This was the 12th year NorthTec had partnered The NZIOB Northern chapter in sponsoring the prestigious awards that recognise the achievements of NorthTec learners and assists in helping to “future-proof” the industry.

Mr. Savage says all four have been diligent through the year and have exemplified the ethics, attitude, and honesty that NorthTec strives to exact from its students.

“The scholarships give these students kickstart incentives for their future careers,” he adds.

“The other great thing to come out of this is that the longevity of our association with the NZIOB means we continue to develop and maintain our links with the local building industry.”

Award recipient Louise Spraggon says changing her career at a mature age was quite an eye-opener.

“At 44 years old I gave myself a gap year! I had been in the film industry and in teaching in Auckland and was ready to do something for me. We had a change of lifestyle and we bought an old villa between Whangarei and Dargaville. I now want the skills to be able to renovate it, ”Louise says.

“I’ve never done woodwork before and wanted to make sure the course was value for money so I spoke with the tutor before enrolling. He was very encouraging and thorough in providing answers and documentation.

“The rest of my classmates are young guys aged 17-25 and I thought they’d be way better than me but I am motivated and interested in ways that they aren’t. This can be frustrating for me and for them sometimes but I think it’s good for them that I’m there.

“As a female I have to think through ways of doing things sometimes rather than relying on brute force.”

This year’s awards evening was sponsored by NorthTec, Chill tech, Trade Coaching, Elevate, Northland Document Solutions, Rosenfeld Kidson and Gib (Northland chapter).NorthTec’s Applied Arts students from Rāwene experienced an emotional learning journey when they headed across the serene waters to North Hokianga to visit the Ngāi Tupoto Marae at Motukaraka.

ENDS

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