This case study focuses on a young individual placed in an engineering apprenticeship by WFCD using community networks.

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Young people do not often have a clear idea of what career they want to have when they leave school. Malcolm is one candidate who finished his Year 12 year at school aged 17 with his clearest decision being that school was not for him. Workforce Central Dunedin act of intervention helped this young school leaver reflect on his career, reset the pathway he was advised to take and find the job he loved.

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Whilst in Year 12, Malcolm completed the Gateway program which included work experience at Bridgeman Street Panel Beaters. Malcolm enjoyed the panel beating experience because it fostered his interest in cars, however, he didn't see a future for himself in that particular area. Malcolm was encouraged by family to attend Otago Polytechnic/ Te Pūkenga, where he enrolled in a pre-trade course in automotive engineering with a view to being a diesel mechanic. He enrolled because auto motive engineering was an area of interest and he reported that he enjoyed fixing up cars in his spare time. As part of his Year 12 studies at school, he had also built a small two-wheel drive go-cart with a 70cc motor which is his pride and joy. It involved design, welding and assembly which were very relevant skills to his new interest. A career for Malcolm in motor mechanics made sense because Malcolm already had a large skillset and interest in cars. However, Malcolm stated he did not want a career in vehicle mechanics because he did not want to become saturated in working on cars all day and lose interest in it as a spare time hobby.

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Workforce Central Dunedin

Malcolm got in touch with Workforce Central Dunedin through his mum who heard of WFCD and the services we provide. Malcolm arranged to meet with us in January 2022 when our initial discussions were about helping Malcolm identify the type of work he wanted. After some conversation and reflection, Malcolm expressed interest in working in trades such as plumbing, engineering, welding, fabrication, steelwork, flooring and insulation. He was clear he wanted to work and earn money, perhaps completing study simultaneously. WFCD discussed options and pathways for Malcolm which he then decided to give engineering a go because it included the tasks he wanted to learn. At WFCD we had discussions with the CE of the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) to explore options for a young school leaver interested in a career in Engineering. SOREC was very pleased to receive the referral because their primary focus includes introducing people into careers in engineering and thereby increase the general engineering workforce. The CE of SOREC rang Malcolm and spoke to him about sending his CV among a few identified engineering firms in Dunedin which Malcolm was pleased for him to do so.

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Within a single day, the Owner/Operator of a large local engineering firm, Todd Engineering, expressed an interest in meeting with Malcolm. They made contact with Malcolm directly and set up an interview to meet him. Todd Engineering were so impressed with Malcolm that they hired him immediately as an employee with intentions of starting an apprenticeship where they could support the learning Malcolm would require.

Malcolm started at Todd Engineering two weeks later and two months later, Malcolm was offered an official engineering apprenticeship, registered with Competenz.

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In late June 2022 WFCD met back with Malcolm to check in and catch up to see how he was going at Todd Engineering. Malcolm explained he is thrilled with his employment and subsequent apprenticeship at Todd Engineering, there was also another apprentice there which was helpful for him. At only 17 he was very fortunate to have an apprenticeship and people at his employment had also explained to him how fortunate he was to get an apprenticeship so early after his employment at the firm. Malcolm expressed appreciation of this and explained that he is very happy with his work.

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Competenz are a part of Te Pūkenga formerly known as Otago Polytechnic, and they provide a supervisor who visits and checks in with Malcolm on-site every 3 months. Malcolm explained that he has a lot of book work to do in association with his apprenticeship and that he benefits from the support of a colleague who is further ahead in his apprenticeship. Malcolm also said he gets strong support from other employees' at Todd Engineering who are always willing to help out when he needs it, he is looking forward to completing his first block course in early 2023. WFCD offered support to Malcolm if he requires any moving forward.

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Malcolm shared with us that he loves the variety he gets at work- he recently worked in a nearby town, Milton on a large job that needed to be completed in a short time. Surprisingly to him, he enjoyed the early starts to travel to Milton and work with his colleagues to get the job done. He has also worked on trailers, boats, large componentry for buildings and other steelwork. At the time of this interview, Malcolm was working at the University Book Shop site in Dunedin doing earthquake strengthening. They have been working on this site for a few months now and he is excited that his work will allow the business to open again in the next few weeks.

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In response to his experience with WFCD, Malcolm said the whole process for him felt very smooth and, “Really easy.” After so much uncertainty when he finished school, having committed to a course at the Polytech he didn’t want to do and after feeling at a loss, Malcolm said he was very happy to have landed such a valuable apprenticeship at one of Dunedin’s valued engineering firms.

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Malcolm said he is extremely happy to earn an income while he is learning and said he is glad he chose not to continue with the pre-trade course and try something new because he now gets to gain the qualification he wants whilst working and earning. Malcolm expressed that he is further ahead in his career than many other people his age and for this, he is very proud of himself. Malcolm is enjoying his apprenticeship so far and sees himself completing his apprenticeship with Todd Engineering over the next four years. Malcolm presents as a loyal employee who values the investment the business has put into him through his apprenticeship and working opportunities.

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Helping young people into apprenticeships now, will mean that once work increases on the New Dunedin Hospital we will have candidates who are fully qualified in their specialty area or are well on their way to being fully qualified. WFCD are encouraging businesses to take on apprentices now ahead of need so that Dunedin is prepared for the major boom when construction increases.

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WFCD sees Malcolm’s story as a success to the Dunedin construction industry.

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