Carpentry students assisting DOC with hut maintenance on the Pakahi Track, Motu.

There’s nothing like hands-on experience to give students a real boost.

That’s the take of EIT Tairāwhiti carpentry lecturer Roger Davies who has had the level 2 carpentry students out and about working on ‘real’ projects.

“We’re trying to give them the skills, knowledge and experience that will lead them on a successful pathway to employment or further training,” he says. “It’s all essential learning for them and it’s good for the community too.”

The Skate Park was a recent recipient of the work by the five 16-18 year olds.

“This was a great little project because they machined all the timber up from rough sawn to four finished BBQ tables all concreted in place.”

They’ve also been out working on the Pakahi Track at Motu where they helped DOC workers with construction on one of the bike trails as well as a little maintenance on the huts.

And there is plenty in the pipeline too with a deck, a couple of fences, and also helping engineers with the very public Cenotaph project.

“The boys are all so keen, and it’s great to get them out there doing it.”