Build a Trailer Programme leads to Job for Finn

New machinist apprentice Finn Heard has been surprised how quickly he’s been trusted to use the large machinery at Oilsteel Engineering where he gained work following Taranaki Future’s Build a Trailer this year.  Director Ben Blinkhorne isn’t.

“I noticed right from the start everything he did he did really well, he’s a good welder for someone of his age – his skills, intelligence and work ethic showed through,” he says.

Finn completed the work placement part of his programme at Engineering Taranaki Consortium (ETC) member Superior Stainless, who share a workshop with Oilsteel Engineering.  He was offered some work experience with Oilsteel to expose him to more of the industry.

“We gave him some experience on the CNC side and we’ve now taken him on as an apprentice machinist,” says Blinkhorne.

A former student at Spotswood College, Finn always had an interest in working with metal or wood and completed a trades academy programme through WITT in 2019 which led to Build a Trailer in 2020.

Build a Trailer sees students completing the Trades Academy Engineering Level 3 course build a trailer as part of the programme. Students spend one day a week on campus at WITT building the trailer, and a second day out gaining industry experience with Engineering Taranaki Consortium members.

“I think it is a great programme and a great alternative to university,” Blinkhore says.

In fact, Blinkhorne got into the industry himself through gateway programme and acknowledges programmes with a work experience component are a great introduction to the workplace and don’t just throw kids into the deep end.

The fact that Finn can earn as he learns hasn’t gone unnoticed either. He’s worked out he’ll have more in the bank then his friends going to university will have in debt by the time they both gain their qualifications.