25 Apprenticeship Graduates and Prizewinners

Twenty five (25) Apprenticeship Graduates and Prizewinners Presented with Awards by ATT

- Plumbers, gasfitters, drainlayers and first electrical apprentice graduate

It was a night of celebration on Wednesday evening (19 September) in Christchurch as 25 trades apprentices from the South Island graduated and received prizes and certificates from ATT’s (Apprenticeship Training Trust) apprenticeship training scheme.

Sixteen young people from the southern region are now fully-trained in the plumbing, gasfitting, drainlaying and electrical trades. As well, nine apprentices received prizes for excellence and progress as they work their way through their apprenticeships. In August, 44 of ATT’s North Island apprentices and graduates graduated and received awards.

ATT’s CEO Gray Paterson says, “It is such a thrill to see these young people do so well as their chosen careers. They have all worked hard to follow their dreams and they are first-rate employees for the building sector. We salute them.

“We are particularly proud of ATT’s first electrical apprentice, Jinpei Ichinose, to graduate. ATT introduced electrical apprenticeships to its apprentice offering three years ago. We are delighted to see Jinpei’s achievement. He is the first of 100 electrical apprentices who will be graduating over the next few years.

“We are also proud of the nine prizewinning apprentices who are still mid-way through their training and who have won awards for excellence. These young people are strongly committed to their trades and work to the high standards we set in our programme. They will make excellent employees in several years’ time.”

Mr Paterson says 2018 has been an excellent year for ATT. “This year, a total of 75 apprentices will graduate from ATT’s programme – the largest number ever. As well, ATT will reach a milestone of employing 100 electrical apprentices by the end of 2018. We are very pleased indeed that we are delivering these record apprentice numbers to the market,” adds Mr Paterson.

ATT Apprenticeship Scholarships, 30 awarded in 2018

This year 30 ATT Apprenticeship Scholarships have been awarded to prospective apprentices who may struggle to pay the apprenticeship fee and need a hand-up.

ATT has always had successful applicants who fit the criteria as prospective apprentices, pass the required numeracy and literacy tests and who are keen to get a trade. But, says Mr Paterson, for some the stumbling block has been an inability to pay the fees as their families are struggling financially. Established in 2017, winning such a scholarship means these young people can fulfil their dream of becoming a tradesperson. ATT has committed $150,000 for the period 2017-2019 to support this initiative.

Future outlook for trades

Mr Paterson says the outlook for trades in New Zealand is positive. “This country is, as is well-known, very short of tradespeople. We are proud that ATT is delivering a record number of highly skilled young people who are keen to contribute to the building sector. Ultimately, these apprentices will establish their own businesses and host their own apprentices.”

ATT is a registered charitable trust that recruits, employs and places apprentices into ‘host’ businesses in the plumbing, gasfitting, drainlaying and electrical trades. ATT calls this the ‘managed-apprentice model.’ Established in 1991, ATT currently has 385 apprentices working throughout New Zealand. ATT operates from four locations – Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch; its head office is in Highbrook in South Auckland. For more information about ATT, click here.

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