An apprentice with Bay of Islands-based Mather Builders, Iro has struggled with the theoretical component of his building apprenticeship. “Fantastic on the worksite but not so good on the bookwork”,  his reading and comprehension struggles have been a barrier to success.

“It should have taken Iro three years to complete his apprenticeship but he’s been with us for five,” says Mather Builders foreman Ben Harder.  “All he has to do is the paperwork and he’ll be a qualified builder earning more money, but until recently he’d always find a reason not to. Literacy was a big part of it – he’d done all the work but wasn’t sure how to put it into words.”

But all that changed when Education Unlimited teamed up with BCITO|Te Pūkenga to pilot the Critical Skills Apprenticeship Programme. Designed to boost apprenticeship success in Te Tai Tokerau Northland, the programme helps aspiring tradies navigate the BCITO portal. And it builds a tonne of life skills in the process. 

Completed over five full-day workshops, participants learn everything from SMART goal setting to financial literacy. They gain their Site Safe Foundation Passport Building Construction ticket, complete a GoodYarn mental health awareness programme, and those who need it also have access to one-on-one specialist learning support.  For Iro, the programme has provided a much needed steppingstone to apprenticeship success.

“Before the course he was at about 30% completion and now he’s up to almost 70%,” says Ben. “The course taught him how to upload his evidence and spurred him on to get his driver’s licence. His progress has just snowballed.”

Now Iro’s on track to complete his apprenticeship before Christmas, and the hardworking tradie couldn’t be prouder.

“Graduating from this course was a really good feeling. It was good for me, and good for my family,” says Iro, who welcomed the arrival of his fourth child the same week he completed the Critical Skills Apprenticeship Programme.

“It was a pretty amazing week!”

As well as getting him one step closer to that invaluable pay rise, the programme has boosted Iro’s confidence and strengthened his capabilities.

“I needed help to understand and my reading was not that great but the course made a big difference. I used to be a shy guy who didn’t really communicate with people much, but I’ve gained a lot more confidence now. I learnt how to communicate with people, gained a better understanding of the theory, and also learnt about teamwork, mindset thinking and money management.”

Now Iro can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and he’s got a future to get excited about.

“The course wasn’t easy but it was so worth it for the outcome – for my family and myself. I’ve got my restricted licence now, I’m being a better father, and hopefully in a few months’ time I’ll be a qualified builder too!”

Read the story from BCITO here.