Source: The Engineering News

A new programme developed by BCITO and Education Unlimited is making life easier for non-native English-speaking apprentices, building their confidence, boosting their English language skills, and supporting them to succeed in their apprenticeship training.

The ‘BCITO 1:1 Apprentice Support English Language Programme’ gives apprentices up to 20 hours of fully-funded English language tuition. Since the programme launched in May, over 90 apprentices have taken advantage of the training, and in doing so, have become one step closer to achieving their apprenticeship goals.

“This one-on-one support for our non-native English-speaking apprentices is really important,” says Education Unlimited Programme lead June Brunton. “We help them with their pronunciation, conversation skills and New Zealand phrases and slang, as well as the technical language associated with their apprenticeships and any writing support they may need for the theoretical component of their training.”

Demand for the programme has been huge according to Brunton.

“When we put the flyer up on BCITO’s online learning portal, myBCITO, we had enquiries from 80 apprentices in the first 24 hours – we had to temporarily take it down in order to meet demand.”

Since then, BCITO apprentices from all over the country have enrolled in the programme.

“Some of our learners have a very low level of English, and we support them with everyday vocabulary and comprehension, while others are relatively proficient, but want to learn more about Kiwi culture, colloquialisms, and technical vocabulary specifically related to their BCITO qualification.

“For some it’s about gaining a better understanding of the technical language of their course and understanding their assessments and what’s required. For others, it’s about being able to keep up with lunch room conversations and feel like they’re part of the team.”

Brunton says the training is already having an impact.

“It’s fantastic to see these apprentices becoming familiar with myBCITO, and gaining the confidence to ask questions and speak up. Through the programme they also get to meet others in a similar position, and this has been the start of many new friendships.”

Currently ten Education Unlimited tutors nationwide are delivering the programme, including Auckland-based Paul Padfield, a former lecturer in landscape construction and horticulture at MIT.

“At the moment I’m working with a regular cohort of 12 apprentices, who hail from China, Korea, Philippines, Afghanistan, Chile and Brazil,” says Padfield. “Their English levels are varied, from those who are struggling to hold any conversation, to others who are scoring Step 6, the highest level on the numeracy and literacy assessment tool.

“These higher-level apprentices are predominantly from China and are good at reading and writing but feel completely lost when it comes to making conversation at smoko – when everyone else is having a good old yarn, they can’t make head nor tail of what’s being said.”

While Padfield conducts the majority of his sessions online, he also offers apprentices the chance for in-person group training on Saturday mornings.

“The beauty of this programme is that it meets individual needs. Many of the apprentices prefer online because they’re working, but some of them really value meeting in person too. Usually, I conduct my first two sessions one-on-one to understand the needs of each apprentice, but then I tend to buddy them up, which further boosts the impact of the training.”

Auckland apprentices Wei Han and Duan Xu didn’t previously know each other, but since Paul partnered them up, they’ve become firm friends. Not only that but their English language skills – and confidence – have skyrocketed.

“This programme has helped me write reports for my team leader, write my descriptions for my BCITO assignments, and communicate more easily with my Kiwi colleagues,” says Xu. “Learning the slang has been really important because when you’re on the worksite you don’t always just talk about work. Sometimes you need some friendship too.”

Han has also reaped big benefits. “I feel so much more confident on the worksite now. I can understand and explain things more clearly, and I can even make a few jokes.”

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