Now in its second year, the nationwide tour run by the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation, introduces students to the ever-increasing opportunities available in the building and construction industry.
Right now, individual tours are hitting the road in more than 14 New Zealand cities and towns allowing students from 127 schools to visit worksites and premises, showcasing some of the country’s biggest construction sites and highlighting why a career in construction is a fantastic option.
The Tour is a wonderful opportunity to introduce future apprentices to those doing exciting and innovative work in the industry today, says BCITO Chief Executive Warwick Quinn.It also has a wider significance as the Tour is a key part of BCITO’s strategy to support the Government’s goal of meeting the growing demand for apprentices, which was highlighted in the 2016 Budget, he says.
“Our country needs more young people to learn the skills and attributes that are in such high demand. School leavers who decide they want to start an apprenticeship can be confident they won’t struggle to get work, there are so many great opportunities,” he says.
“We want to offer students a real experience of the construction industry and encourage them to consider the wide range of opportunities a career in the trades could offer them.”
Individual tours are happening in Auckland, Hamilton, Cambridge, Tauranga, Rotorua, Gisborne, Hastings, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill.
The Big Construction Tour will take students through a number of key sites in their respective locations to showcase the innovation taking place in the construction industry and to introduce them to some of the 15 trades that BCITO offers, says Quinn.
“They will be able to hear what a ‘day in the life of a tradie’ is like, first-hand, from apprentices working on site. It will also provide an opportunity for students to connect with industry leaders who may be their future employers.”
You can check out all of the day’s action here or on any of BCITO’s channels.