BCITO offers construction industry career advice

The Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) is holding a national careers afternoon this Friday, aiming to demonstrate to career-seekers the professional opportunities available in the building industry.

The events, taking place in Auckland, Wellington, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay, Manawatu, Taranaki and Dunedin between 1pm and 4pm on Saturday 16 March, are open to students, parents, teachers and career-seekers.

BCITO chief executive Ruma Karaitiana says the afternoon will give people the chance to speak one on one with BCITO training advisors to understand the work becoming available in the industry.

“Building work around the country, not just Christchurch and Auckland, is really kicking off and we expect this demand will stay for quite some time. The construction industry needs as many skilled people as it can get right now, and these workshops will be a great way to start the conversation with career-seekers, to guide them as best we can towards the opportunities offered in construction,” Mr Karaitiana says.

The Government’s new apprenticeship incentive scheme, announced in January, is a great step forward for the industry, says Mr Karaitiana.

New BCITO apprentices that meet the scheme’s requirements will be given up to $2,000 towards tools and course costs. Their employers will receive the same amount.

The BCITO careers afternoon will highlight the range of opportunities across the building industry, including building and carpentry, masonry, brick-laying, concreting, plastering and tiling to name a few. The BCITO offers qualifications in all these sectors, including the National Certificate in Carpentry which can be completed straight from school through an apprenticeship programme.

Adam Knott, who placed second in the Registered Master Builders Carters 2012 Apprentice of the Year competition, began his apprenticeship straight out of school and is now working on a large commercial project in Upper Hutt.

“Once I left school, I wanted to go out and start making a living for myself. I wanted to stand on my own two feet, and with a BCITO apprenticeship, I was able to make an income and get an education at the same time,” he says.

“The opportunity to start my career straight out of school was a huge draw card.”

The BCITO works closely with employers and apprentices, arranging training and providing support for New Zealand’s building industry.

To find out more about BCITO training courses, or for more information about the careers day, please visit www.bcito.org.nz.

 

Careers Day: 1pm – 4pm, 16 March 2013

Auckland: 101 Station Road, Penrose, Auckland

Waikato: First floor, 7-9 Perclo Place, Hamilton

Bay of Plenty: 40 Tawa Street, Mt Maunganui

Hawke’s Bay: 233 Emerson Street, Napier

Manawatu: Office 1, Ground Floor, Broadway Avenue, Palmerston North

Taranaki: Level 2, Westpac Building, 2 Devon Street East, New Plymouth

Wellington: Home Ideas Centre, Cnr The Esplanade & Hutt Road, Petone

Dunedin: Otaki Centre, 8 Turakina Road, Dunedin

No RSVP is required – anyone interested is encouraged to attend at their convenience.

 

For further information on event specifics, the building industry and training statistics, please contact:

Andrew Robertson at BCITO on 027 614 0008; or

Ashleigh Lambert at Acumen Republic on 04 494 5122.