Tipene Douglas, who progressed through the EIT Trades Academy into a carpentry certificate and on into an apprenticeship.

Tipene Douglas finished his EIT carpentry programme on a Wednesday. Thursday he started his apprenticeship with a prominent Hawke’s Bay building company. 

Quite an achievement for a young man who admits he was quite naughty at school and for a period dropped out to work to help his family through a tough time.

“Being able to get the experience of a vocation through the Trades Academy while still being supported in a secondary school environment is so positive for young people like Tipene,” says Paul Hursthouse, manager of the Hawke’s Bay School Trades Academy @EIT.

The former Tamatea High School student shone while at the Trades Academy, finishing his Year 12 level 2 building course with an award for excellence.

Having enjoyed it so much, Tipene continued as a Year 13 school student. He came to EIT twice a week, completing the level 3 course with an award for the most consistent effort in construction learning.

This year as part of his EIT tertiary studies, Tipene gained work experience with GA Scarfe Builders, which included working through the term breaks. His attitude impressed Graham Scarfe, owner of the construction company.

“He wants to be there and he wants to better himself. Having the motivation makes the rest easier,” says Graham.

To date Tipene has worked on the new Napier Airport building but prefers residential building. Helping to build a house through his EIT course and then working on another with GA Scarfe have been the highlights so far.

Building homes resonates with the 19 year old. His own experience of moving from house to house has given him an insight into how important a home is.