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Programme Builds Confidence and Skills in Grads

December 18, 2013

Carpentry students working on the two-bedroom house.

Building a two-bedroom house as part of a Certificate in Carpentry programme at EIT Tairāwhiti is proving a winner with students, tutors and industry.

The 80-metre square house is being built at the Tairāwhiti site. Carpentry tutor Greig Law says having a hands-on project like the house is providing the perfect balance between the practical and theory.

It’s a popular programme that always fills fast. “One of the most important skills these carpentry students have is an interest in problem solving,” says Greig. “This is not a programme to see if you like the idea of building, it is a career programme.”

The intent – as always – is that at the end of the one year programme, which gives graduates 120 credits towards their apprenticeship, each student has a job.

“It has been a little difficult the last few years because of the economic climate, but we do have a very strong relationship with industry and they are supportive of our graduates.”

The house is the first time a project of such size has been built on site. In the past, students have often done all sorts of work in the community, and while they continue to do that, much of their study is spent on the house.

They have built the house from scratch and because it will be sold at the end of the project, all the specifications are to the strictest of regulations.

“This way it can go into any environment and we know it will be fine,” says Greig. The house has double glazed windows, a colour steel roof and all the fixings are stainless steel.

Greig is full of praise for his current students. “They’re a good bunch who are very focused on their goal of passing the programme.”

The students range in age from 16 through to 40-something and include some straight from school and others who are having a career change.

Lynden Manuel is one of them. “It’s pretty mean to be doing a house like this,” says the 19-year-old. “We are doing everything, so I’m gaining a lot of knowledge. It is hard work, but awesome.”

He is already doing work experience and says the programme has given him extra confidence on the job site.

Former handyman Ron Vermeulen is following a family tradition in going into the building trade, although at 45 he’s doing it a little later than the rest. His father was also a builder and his brother is too.

“I am picking up new techniques all the time,” he says.

He’s the oldest on the programme but says he is enjoying working with the younger students.

Anyone interested in purchasing the house should contact EIT Tairāwhiti carpentry tutor Matt Evans on 869 0810 extention 7849 or 027 518 6632.