The Construction Plus Mahi Ora work experience programme is a Kāinga Ora initiative that Piritahi supports and plays a key role in.
It involves secondary school students in gateway or trade academies working over the school holidays on large-scale projects around Auckland to gain valuable experience in the civil infrastructure industry.
A huge amount of coordination goes into setting up this programme and from the feedback we've received, this year was a real hit. All this wouldn't have been possible without Helen Baillie-Strong (Operational Excellence, Learning & Development Lead) who was vital to bringing this great initiative to life once again.
Former Labourer turned Communications Advisor, Seti Afoa caught up with all of the students while they were on Piritahi sites over the last few weeks, and we think you'll love hearing about their experiences!
Twin brothers Zane & Trent Brookes were working close to home during the April school holidays, participating in the Kāinga Ora Construction Plus Mahi Ora work experience programme at Piritahi Northcote.
Over the course of two weeks the twins discovered the importance of acquiring dig permits before doing excavation works, there was spotting work around diggers and machinery, as well as manual work like concreting, and maintaining a good clean site.
Zane and Trent were also taught how to safely operate big machinery, operating a digger under the expert guidance of Piritahi’s trainer and assessor, George Finau. Zane enjoyed this part immensely. “I learnt how to move the bucket and scoop up a lot of dirt. I also learnt to safely park the bucket before speaking with anyone outside the digger.”
"It’s quite exciting that stuff, it’s something I've been wanting to do for a while - learn how to operate a (digger) machine like that,” Zane added.
Construction could offer lifelong careers for Zane and Trent. They're enjoying learning about the variety of jobs that are on offer in the industry. At the end of the programme, the twins were upbeat about their Mahi Ora experience:
“My thoughts on construction are a lot more interesting than they were before I started here. There are so many different things you can do in this field of work. It’s not just one area, like making roads for example, there are a lot of parts, and they’re enjoyable as well. My plans for the future are more defined." shares Zane.
“I would probably go into an apprenticeship of some kind. I can continue with construction after school until I decide what training I need for my future career.” Zane enjoyed working outdoors, and shared that he’d like to do even more work experience with Piritahi in the next school holidays.
Zane’s twin Trent also had a great experience:
“I’ve learned a lot and really enjoyed it.” - Trent Brookes
Check out Trent's overview in the video below:
The Construction Plus Mahi Ora work experience programme is a Kāinga Ora initiative that Piritahi supports and plays a key role in.
It involves secondary school students in gateway or trade academies working over the school holidays on large-scale projects around Auckland to gain valuable experience in the civil infrastructure industry.
A huge amount of coordination goes into setting up this programme and from the feedback we've received, this year was a real hit. All this wouldn't have been possible without Helen Baillie-Strong (Operational Excellence, Learning & Development Lead) who was vital to bringing this great initiative to life once again.
Former Labourer turned Communications Advisor, Seti Afoa caught up with all of the students while they were on Piritahi sites over the last few weeks, and we think you'll love hearing about their experiences!
Twin brothers Zane & Trent Brookes were working close to home during the April school holidays, participating in the Kāinga Ora Construction Plus Mahi Ora work experience programme at Piritahi Northcote.
Over the course of two weeks the twins discovered the importance of acquiring dig permits before doing excavation works, there was spotting work around diggers and machinery, as well as manual work like concreting, and maintaining a good clean site.
Zane and Trent were also taught how to safely operate big machinery, operating a digger under the expert guidance of Piritahi’s trainer and assessor, George Finau. Zane enjoyed this part immensely. “I learnt how to move the bucket and scoop up a lot of dirt. I also learnt to safely park the bucket before speaking with anyone outside the digger.”
"It’s quite exciting that stuff, it’s something I've been wanting to do for a while - learn how to operate a (digger) machine like that,” Zane added.
Construction could offer lifelong careers for Zane and Trent. They're enjoying learning about the variety of jobs that are on offer in the industry. At the end of the programme, the twins were upbeat about their Mahi Ora experience:
“My thoughts on construction are a lot more interesting than they were before I started here. There are so many different things you can do in this field of work. It’s not just one area, like making roads for example, there are a lot of parts, and they’re enjoyable as well. My plans for the future are more defined." shares Zane.
“I would probably go into an apprenticeship of some kind. I can continue with construction after school until I decide what training I need for my future career.” Zane enjoyed working outdoors, and shared that he’d like to do even more work experience with Piritahi in the next school holidays.
Zane’s twin Trent also had a great experience:
“I’ve learned a lot and really enjoyed it.” - Trent Brookes
Check out Trent's overview in the video below:
The Construction Plus Mahi Ora work experience programme is a Kāinga Ora initiative that Piritahi supports and plays a key role in.
It involves secondary school students in gateway or trade academies working over the school holidays on large-scale projects around Auckland to gain valuable experience in the civil infrastructure industry.
A huge amount of coordination goes into setting up this programme and from the feedback we've received, this year was a real hit. All this wouldn't have been possible without Helen Baillie-Strong (Operational Excellence, Learning & Development Lead) who was vital to bringing this great initiative to life once again.
Former Labourer turned Communications Advisor, Seti Afoa caught up with all of the students while they were on Piritahi sites over the last few weeks, and we think you'll love hearing about their experiences!
Twin brothers Zane & Trent Brookes were working close to home during the April school holidays, participating in the Kāinga Ora Construction Plus Mahi Ora work experience programme at Piritahi Northcote.
Over the course of two weeks the twins discovered the importance of acquiring dig permits before doing excavation works, there was spotting work around diggers and machinery, as well as manual work like concreting, and maintaining a good clean site.
Zane and Trent were also taught how to safely operate big machinery, operating a digger under the expert guidance of Piritahi’s trainer and assessor, George Finau. Zane enjoyed this part immensely. “I learnt how to move the bucket and scoop up a lot of dirt. I also learnt to safely park the bucket before speaking with anyone outside the digger.”
"It’s quite exciting that stuff, it’s something I've been wanting to do for a while - learn how to operate a (digger) machine like that,” Zane added.
Construction could offer lifelong careers for Zane and Trent. They're enjoying learning about the variety of jobs that are on offer in the industry. At the end of the programme, the twins were upbeat about their Mahi Ora experience:
“My thoughts on construction are a lot more interesting than they were before I started here. There are so many different things you can do in this field of work. It’s not just one area, like making roads for example, there are a lot of parts, and they’re enjoyable as well. My plans for the future are more defined." shares Zane.
“I would probably go into an apprenticeship of some kind. I can continue with construction after school until I decide what training I need for my future career.” Zane enjoyed working outdoors, and shared that he’d like to do even more work experience with Piritahi in the next school holidays.
Zane’s twin Trent also had a great experience:
“I’ve learned a lot and really enjoyed it.” - Trent Brookes
Check out Trent's overview in the video below: