Building Careers Month showcases opportunities

Media release
30 July

BCITO Building Careers Month showcases opportunities in the industry

Wellington builder Matt Sharp says young people thinking about their futures should definitely be considering a building apprenticeship.

Matt studied towards a bachelor of commerce at Victoria University before completing his Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) carpentry apprenticeship.

He says BCITO Building Careers Month, which is being held in August, is a great opportunity for young people to find out more about careers in the construction industry.

“I was encouraged to go to university because I had done well academically, but I think more people should be encouraged to enter the building industry – it’s rewarding work and, best of all, you get paid to train and don’t finish with a huge student loan,” Matt says.

BCITO chief executive Ruma Karaitiana says many young people venture down a training or career path without having a clear idea of what it’s really like to work in that industry or the variety of job opportunities that might be available.

BCITO Building Careers Month is about showcasing career options in the construction industry to help make the picture clearer for anyone interested in a building career, he says.

Activities during BCITO Building Careers Month include “behind the scenes” site visits for high school students as well as a series of breakfast events and information evenings to highlight pathways into the industry, career opportunities and to showcase the benefits to employers of training an apprentice.

Mr Karaitiana says Building Careers Month has become an important tool in highlighting the benefits of choosing a career in building and construction.

“Taking on a building apprenticeship is about more than just getting a qualification; it’s about choosing a lifestyle. Building Careers Month helps get that message out there, and as the demand for highly-skilled labour continues to grow, we need more people in apprenticeship training to develop the professional workforce that the industry needs.”

Building Careers Month culminates in the announcement of the winners of the BCITO Build-Ability Challenge, in which 18 teams of high school students from 16 schools throughout the country undertake a building project for a local community group.

The BCITO has also launched a new online interactive feature known as Real Stories to help give aspiring apprentices a better picture of life on and off the building site.

The Real Stories video profiles feature people working in the industry at different stages of their careers, and can be viewed at www.constructionzone.co.nz. Viewers can hear what it’s really like day to day onsite, what it takes to be a success and the lifestyle options that are open to people working in the construction industry.

For more details about BCITO Building Careers Month activities and for information about BCITO apprenticeships, visit www.constructionzone.co.nz

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Notes to Editor
About the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO)
The BCITO is appointed by the Government to develop and implement industry qualifications for the building and construction sector. There are more than 4500 employers and more than 9000 trainees involved in industry training with the BCITO.

Schools participating in the Build-Ability Challenge:

Waikato
Hauraki Plains College, Raglan Area School, Cambridge High School, Fraser High School, Hamilton Boys High School

Bay of Plenty
Opotiki College (2 teams)

Taranaki
Hawera High School

King Country
Taumarunui High School

Hawke’s Bay
Central Hawke’s Bay College, Karamu High School

Manawatu
Feilding High School (2 teams), Awatapu College

Wairarapa
Wairarapa College

Canterbury
Lincoln High School, Hillmorton High School

West Coast
Karamea Area School

ENDS

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