Forty-two apprentice plumbers, electricians, gasfitters and drainlayers graduated at the Apprenticeship Training Trust (ATT) awards held at the Auckland War Memorial Museum recently.
Apprentices from the Auckland and Waikato regions are part of ATT’s managed apprentice scheme that recruits, employs and places apprentices into host businesses.
Twenty-seven graduates and current apprentices also received awards for excellence and progress during their apprenticeship.
Attracting around 200 guests, the ATT graduation is one of the largest annual gatherings of tradespeople in the country.
ATT chief executive Helen Stephens says the market the graduates are entering is one of the most challenging and exciting ever seen in New Zealand.
“The construction sector is booming and our population is growing, but the skills gap continues to widen, with an estimated 80,000 more people needed in the sector overall during the next five years — the result is our apprentices will be sought after.”
The Auckland graduation will be followed by second event in Christchurch this month, when a further seven graduates will be recognised along with nine award winners.
ATT is a registered charitable trust that recruits, employs and places apprentices into host businesses in the plumbing, gasfitting, drainlaying and electrical trades. It is sponsored by Plumbing World, Dux, Rheem, The Skills Organisation, Toolware and GWA Group.
