EIT Tairawhiti graduate Aiden Ria (right) gets some solid advice from Pultron engineer Simon Jakob on the finer technicques of how to cut an internal thread.
The future is looking bright for EIT Tairawhiti engineering graduate Aiden Ria.
That’s the call from Pultron Composites engineering services manager Brad Kopua who now has the 19-year-old as part of his team as he completes his engineering apprenticeship.
“Aiden has a very promising future in engineering and machining,” says Mr Kopua. “He stands out because he loves his work and is enthusiastic about the job. The progress he has made in the few months he has been here is impressive.”
He says there aren’t many apprentices who would be completing the work that Mr Ria is at this stage of their training.
Pultron has two youngsters on the engineering team working towards their qualifications, and according to Mr Kopua, the mindset behind it is simple.
“The industry needs more trained people. There’s a big gap in the industry because there are just no incentives to train apprentices and generate trade people . . . but if everyone did this, then there will be enough to go around.”
Mr Ria joined Pultron at the beginning of the year after completing his Certificate in Engineering Trades, a one year course at EIT Tairawhiti.
He’s working as part of an eight strong team that makes tools and machines for Pultron processes. The Gisborne-based company exports predominantly to the United States and the United Arab Emirates.
His work is very precise and calls for patience and perfection, but does give great job satisfaction.
However, machining was not always Mr Ria’s aim.
“Mum put me into the engineering course and ever since I learnt about machining, that’s all I want to do. I like working with numbers and tolerances, and that it is very particular,” he says.
He’s hoping to complete his apprenticeship within two or three years.
“I am very grateful to Pultron for the opportunity to do my apprenticeship here.”