Education changing lives in Far North

Tupu Plumbing was set up as a training and employment programme based in Kaitaia by Te Aupōuri Iwi Development Trust, Te Hiku Iwi Development Trust, and Crown partners, to improve the quality and quantity of water supply for Far North / Te Hiku residents by installing new water tanks, in line with the Puna Wai Ora – Te Hiku Drought Relief programme.

Industry training providers EarnLearn – Specialist Trades and BCITO have supported the initiative with a Limited Credit Programme of unit standards in plumbing, drainage and construction skills so those working on the tank installations have their new skills officially recognised.

Tauira, or trainees, who are members of the tank installation team can then choose to transfer their unit standards to a plumbing apprenticeship with EarnLearn, or a construction apprenticeship with BCITO.

Tupu Plumbing site supervisor Rob Purchase says the programme is changing the lives of both the homeowners receiving the water tanks, and the young trainees.

“Tupu Plumbing was set up as a programme to take six young guys off the benefit and get them into employment and head them towards an apprenticeship in the trades,” Rob says.

“It's about building their work ethic and getting them out to do the job, but also providing water to whānau that don't have water supply at home or that have a bad water supply.”

Tupu Plumbing has installed 89 new tanks on Far North residential properties as part of the programme, with a total of about 260 to install over the year.

Tupu Plumbing trainee Travis Purchase says he’d been on the benefit for a year after leaving school and wasn’t sure what he wanted to do for a job.

“This programme is a really good opportunity. It's been amazing to work on a project that is helping the whānau in the Far North. It's made me feel more connected with this community and made me feel more loved and accepted. There’s an actual sense of belonging.”

One recipient of a new 30,000 litre water tank, installed by the Tupu Plumbing team, is Carol Brott. Carol, who lives with three generations of her family in a home at Awanui near Kaitaia, says her family’s lives have been transformed by the project.

“There’s 12 of us living here and we pool our money for things like bottled water, but it doesn’t last long. The biggest problem has been the clothes washing. We spend a lot at the wash house. We put all our clothes that need washing together and go every two weeks, late at night so all the machines are free.”

“Not having to do that will save us a lot of money, and the headaches of making sure the kids have clean clothes to wear,” Carol says.

EarnLearn Executive Director, Kaarin Gaukrodger, says the Northland training and tank installation is a clear example of the benefits of including industry training opportunities for local young people in community-based projects.

“The foresight of the partnership to develop an opportunity to train locals toward a trade career as part of this community-based project, significantly increases the overall community outcomes.  As well as delivering a much-needed stable water supply to locals, this programme gives these trainees practical skills and experience that provides the first step toward one of several skilled trades, benefiting the individual as well as their whānau and community. These young people get to feel a sense of accomplishment and pride in completing important work that is improving the day-to-day lives of the people in their community.

“Seeing the impact their training and skills can have on people is a powerful way to stay motivated in training, and, importantly, connect them to their local whānau and hapū.”

BCITO Director, Greg Durkin, says the skills the trainees are learning on the programme are skills they will have for life.

“We’re proud of the progress the learners have made and the positive difference they’re contributing to the Northland community. If they choose to continue into an apprenticeship with one of the 16 trades BCITO supports, they’ll continue to build on those skills and knowledge toward a successful career in construction.”

Thank you to all the organisations involved:

EarnLearn
BCITO
Te Hiku Iwi Development Trust
Te Rūnanga Nui o Te Aupōuri
Te Rūnanga o Te Rarawa
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Takoto
Puna Wai Ora
Ministry of Social Development
Tertiary Education Comission
Te Puni Kōkiri
Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment
Education Unlimited
Apprenticeship Training Trust
Mauri Education
Axiom Training