Ivan, Karl and Mahouri are happy to learn more about their trade.

Ivan Bellamy, Karl Nielsen and Mahouri Hodges work for roading company Topline Contracting. In August 2018, their boss, Taurus Taurima signed up 80 percent of his staff including himself for EIT’s Level 3 Certificate in Infrastructure Work. Since all of the men are entitled to scholarships, the certificate is largely cost-free. The part-time option runs over nine months, with one night class and two worksite visits every six weeks. The programme includes a forklift, tracks, rollers, wheels and dangerous goods endorsement as well as a traffic controller, health and safety and first aid training.

Tutor Clint Whitewood is pleased to see his student’s progress. “Qualified road workers are in high demand. Completing the certificate will definitely help them to get a head start in life.” Head of School of Trades, Todd Rogers hopes that more roading companies take the opportunity to have their employees upskilled through EIT, “We can cater to people’s needs by assessing them at their worksite. Doing so, we give them a lot of time on the machines without taking them away from the job.”

Ivan, Karl and Mahouri are motivated to broaden their knowledge and in doing so, gain qualifications that will help in taking their career to the next level. “By continuing to learn and self-improve we can be a good example for our children too,“ they say.