Leader of tomorrow’s building industry returns victorious

Media Release: Wednesday 9 November

Leader of tomorrow’s building industry returns victorious

Rameka Doran of Auckland has returned from Outward Bound elated after winning one of five BCITO Specialist Trades Outward Bound Scholarships in September.

Rameka, a 23 year old specialist cement and concrete worker, was over the moon when he heard he had been awarded the scholarship.

“I was really stoked and excited to be given the opportunity. A few of my work mates also applied but didn’t make it, but they were all really happy for me,” Rameka says.

Rameka says he didn’t know what to expect from the course but was looking forward to the challenge.

“I knew the course would be challenging but I had no idea how much they physically and mentally push you to achieve your best,” he says.

“It’s quite amazing what you can achieve when you put your mind to something – you can always go further than you think. I learnt a lot about myself in the course.”

The aim of the scholarship is to recognise talented employees in the construction sector and develop their leadership qualities and professional networks across New Zealand.

BCITO Chief Executive, Ruma Karaitiana, says, “The BCITO Outward Bound Scholarship is both a reward and an acknowledgement of an employee’s potential, and is aimed at helping further their skills both in the work-place and in their own lives.

“To win a scholarship, the entrants had to have shown potential within the industry to step up and lead – as well as being physically fit enough to participate in the gruelling 21 day course.”

Rameka highly recommends the course, and encourages others undertaking BCITO qualifications to apply for the Scholarship in future years.

“It was such an awesome experience. The scenery is superb and you meet really great people – I had 13 tradies in my group and we all still keep in touch via Facebook,” he says.

“If you ever get the chance to apply, just go for it – don’t hesitate, go hard.”

Joshua Inivale of Waitakere, Desmond Paseta of Manukau, Ben Horn of Waihi and Matthew Buxton of Tauranga and were also awarded scholarships, valued at $4,090 each. Each winner passed the course with exceptional personal development results.

The BCITO works closely with employers and apprentices, arranging training and providing support for New Zealand’s building industry. To find out about BCITO training courses or for information about the BCITO Specialist Trades Outward Bound Scholarships visit www.bcito.co.nz or contact Andrew Robertson Senior Communications Associate, BCITO, on 0276140008.

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Notes to the editor

About Outward Bound
Outward Bound is New Zealand's leading organisation for showing people their full potential through outdoor challenge and adventure. Its mission is inspiring personal and social development through value based experiential learning in an outdoor environment.

Established in 1962, OB still operates from its original location, Anakiwa, in the Marlborough Sounds. Anakiwa (near Picton) is regarded as the most perfectly situated Outward Bound school in the world.

The natural timbered buildings merge gracefully into the curve of the bay and are backed by native bush. A long jetty stretches to where the school’s small fleet of cutters are at anchor. The ‘classrooms’ of the school are the native bush, mountains, rivers and seaways of Marlborough. The Outward Bound Trust of New Zealand is a member of Outward Bound International.

ENDS

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