Scaffolding experience helps our students onto the career ladder

Housing New Zealand subcontractor SW Scaffolding is helping four Manurewa High School students take their first step on the career ladder. 

The Wiri-based firm, which provides scaffolding for Housing New Zealand via Edwards & Hardy and Spencer Henshaw Ltd, has started a work placement pilot for the students who are all in their final year of school.

Peletina Motuga, Josephert (JT) Tolofua, Sean Maireroa, Te Hiiringa (Te) Mareikura-Tane and Tua’a Slade have been involved in the initiative; two of the five school days each week the boys go to work with the company for the duration of the school year, the remainder of their week is at school to continue their studies.

The first four weeks of their placements are spent in the yard where their progress is monitored before they join one of the crews. Once they’re familiar with the pace of work and what’s required, they work with a training provider to help them gain unit standards and skill them up for the industry. 

The arrangement arose after the school’s Workplace Learning Co-ordinator, Neil Lawton, approached the company. Neil says the initiative offers the boys a great opportunity.

“These guys will probably go straight from school into full time employment. How good is that? The employers have been really positive and I work with a great bunch of kids. It’s great seeing them getting on.”

This opportunity for work experience is one of many that Mr Lawton and the Careers Dept are developing for our students.

If you'd like to learn more, please email him