James Akroyd, engineering apprentice at Universal Engineering

Engineering apprentice James Akroyd ticks all the boxes for his employer Phil Matthews.The co-owner of Universal Engineering says EIT Tairäwhiti graduate James is both mechanically minded and bright – just what they look for in engineers.

Twenty-year-old James did work experience with Universal while completing his Certificate in Engineering and Trades at EIT Tairäwhiti, and so impressed his bosses that they offered him a job on completion of the one-year course.

Now he’s well on the way to completing his apprenticeship.

Universal makes no secret of its drive to have the best and well trained employees and the best equipment and machinery.

“That way we know the best service and product will flow from that.” Much of the technology we are investing in is computer driven, so we need intelligent mechanicallyminded
individuals to operate them.”

Usually the company has seven apprentices on staff at any one time, with training plans in place for all their staff, whether they be apprentices or experienced fabricators.
James loves his work in the machine shop.

“We make heaps of different parts and components for large businesses.”

And he has plenty of opportunity to test and expand his skills under the watchful eye of his foreman.

“Engineering is a cool career, with plenty of variety,” said James, who discovered his talent for engineering through a class at Gisborne Boys’ High School. “My studies at
EIT certainly touched on all the different areas of engineering and it was from there that I decided exactly what I wanted to do.”

While all his focus is on finishing his apprenticeship, James is already contemplating advanced trade study.

While at EIT Tairäwhiti James collected two scholarships to help with his studies.

His application for the scholarships so impressed campus director Jan Mogford that she called it the new benchmark for those hoping to gain financial assistance.