Campus trades up to building houses
Budding Porirua builders should play a future part in countering the country’s skills shortage.
Isaiah Fuhrer, 16, is the youngest of 17 students learning carpentry skills while building a timber house from scratch at Whitireia’s main Wi Neera Dr campus this year – the first one built at the site.
The timber framing marks the shifting of the tertiary education provider’s construction and engineering trades training school away from its Mohuia site, which will be sold to help fund development at the main campus.
The former Ka¯piti College student hoped to complete her qualification and go into an apprenticeship to one day enter the building trade like other members of her family.
‘‘I enjoy the physical side of things and plan to one day build my own home.’’
There will eventually be three houses being built at a time at the campus. They will later be sold at tender, with the money being used to cover costs.
Students on the level 3 New Zealand Certificate in Carpentry will complete a 34-week programme, which is the same as one already being run by WelTec in Petone.
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment figures for the Wellington region revealed demand for carpenters and joiners will grow by about 8 per cent from about 1599 employees in 2016 to 1727 by 2022.
WelTec and Whitireia Head of School of Construction Neil McDonald said the goal was to help break down barriers that might stop young people from getting a trade.
‘‘We will now be able to provide students and staff with improved facilities and access to the full range of services available at the main Porirua campus.
‘‘The relocation will also give our important trades training more visibility and profile in the local community.’’
Whitireia and WelTec Head of Engineering Graham Carson said more people studying engineering at Whitireia would be good for local employers.
‘‘There are a lot of engineering companies in Porirua and on the Ka¯piti Coast. We know there is a skills shortage in the engineering trades.’’
Builder Rowland Rich, from Porirua Construction, said there was lots of building work going on in Porirua and Wellington. ‘‘Good builders will have no trouble finding work.’’