ENGINEERING THE WORKFORCE: FORGING TALENT THROUGH SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS

PATTON ENGINEERING, the largest diversified engineering company in Hawke’s Bay, needs more skilled people, particularly welder/fabricators. However, hiring apprentices has been difficult for Patton Engineering and the engineering industry nationwide.

Managing director Johno Williams believes that only a handful of businesses are employing apprentices in engineering.

“We’ve got to make the investment and make a difference. If we don’t, then we’ll be wailing again in 12 months’ time that we can’t get apprentices and subsequent tradespeople into our companies.”

In 2018, Patton Engineering partnered with Hastings Boys’ High School to create a model that could be rolled out nationwide. To realise this vision, they focused on secondary students who are undertaking trades training as part of their technology class.

“We wanted to show them that trades, and particular engineering trades, are a great option. They can leave school at 17, walk straight into a job and start earning.”

Machinery, materials and gear were provided through sponsorships and grants. This brought a range of other organisations and businesses into the work. Steel and Tube, for example, provided materials at the same cost it sells to Patton and has gone the extra mile, offering this deal to all schools across New Zealand.

“Through One Foundation funding we received eight welding machines, four at the school and four placed at our workshop. Patton Engineering has built work benches. Other stakeholders have provided steel plate for the students to hone their skills. Through funding, the school’s able to obtain a new CNC plasma cutter.

“Every two weeks, the students come to our premises where we provide one-on-one learning with our senior tradesperson. They just weld all day and practice. Because the school has a tight budget, the students were only able to make tiny projects and now, they’re making barbecues. With the kids having the right engineering equipment and bigger projects to work on, when an employer takes them on, they’re not taking an apprentice that doesn’t know anything, they’re taking in a kid that holds value straightaway.”

BENEFITING THE STUDENTS

Williams says the programme is always about the kids, not Patton Engineering.

“Our vision, right from the get-go, was providing a programme where we can circulate these students around the varying trades so they can figure out what’s the best fit for them and they can tailor the subjects to what they need.”

Partnership is key to the success of this model. So far, 29 businesses and organisations are contributing to the programme. Late last year, Senator Boats and Tumu Timber also committed to providing mentorship and will take on selected students as apprentices post-training.

“We’re really lucky we’ve got a lot of passionate businesses around Hawke’s Bay that invariably, have the same issue – struggling to find skilled trades people in New Zealand.”

‘ TRY BEFORE YOU BUY’ MODEL

Selected students are offered an apprenticeship at Patton when they finish school. In 2018 they took on three apprentices, one in 2019 and two in 2020.

“We’re selective on who we’re bringing into the company, as we’re looking to these students to be our future leaders. The students are vying for these positions because they know this is a life gamechanger. This is going to set them up for the rest of their life if they’re the lucky ones to get an apprenticeship,” says Williams.

“By testing at our workshop every two weeks, we’re effectively trialling before we buy. We know that when these kids finish at school and come to us or other employers, we have confidence in their ability and can put them straight into basic fabrication with our team. We’re now getting to recognise these talents directly out of school. And, unless you’re getting into the school, talking to the teachers, you won’t see that, you won’t know that.”

A SUCCESSFUL TRIAL DURING THE LOCKDOWN

When schools were closed in 2020, students who were working towards their trades qualification were anxious about being unable to get hands-on time in school. Through the partnership students were provided access to CAD (Computer Aided Design) software as part of their online learning. This brought a new dimension to their learning and provided them with valuable ideas and information to understand different aspects of the engineering trade.

One student really excelled at CAD and Patton Engineering was so impressed with his talent that they’ve offered him a cadetship starting in 2021.

Williams says CAD is an integral part of their business and like many areas, they struggle to find the right people.

“The kid just started teaching himself how to draw and in nine months, he is a superstar. We recognised straight away that he’ll be a superstar, so we told him we want him in our business after finishing school. He’s now working with our designers. He’s full time, his first- ever job after leaving school.”