The first BCITO Building Careers Week has helped quench the public’s thirst for information on the building and construction sectors, and looks set to become an annual fi xture. Taking place last month, it included a number of activities and events that fuelled interest and provided information about careers and training opportunities in the building sector.
BCITO hosted info nights in Auckland, Wellington, Blenheim, Nelson, Ashburton and Christchurch that attracted a variety of attendees, including school students and their parents, builders seeking formal qualifications and adults looking for a career change.
“These evening sessions gave them an opportunity to talk to BCITO staff and guest speakers who have first-hand experience in the sector,” BCITO communications manager Rachel Winter says. One of the highlights of the week was a school building competition involving nine secondary schools from around the country.
Students built dog kennels which were then donated to their local SPCA. Wellington’s Rongotai College took the title, and Dunedin’s Taieri College was highly commended. The kennels were judged by staff at the BCITO national offi ce who examined the students’ record of work and attention to documenting the process applied during the building process.
“The standard of the documentation was outstanding, and the judges had a tough choice picking the best record of work,” Ms Winter says. “The Rongotai team had a detailed record of work and truly embraced the project. They worked together as a tight-knit unit to produce a fantastic record of work and build a kennel that I’m positive the SPCA dogs will appreciate!” Ms Winter says.
The events of the week were set against a backdrop of media activity, including articles in publications nationwide, radio advertisements and a successful billboard campaign run in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Plans are already under way for next years’ Building Careers Week to enhance and develop the programme.
