The Gateway funding programme is designed to support High School students’ transition into the workforce by offering them workplace learning while at secondary school. In line with this initiative, Home Construction has been lucky enough to team up with Mairehau High School, in partnership with Kāinga Ora to participate in the programme and give one of their students the opportunity to take part in work experience with our internal carpentry team.

Jordan Mangham joined us as a quiet and shy student, who was eager to learn new skills and build his carpentry confidence in a real-life setting. He has spent the last couple of weeks shadowing Josh Mannering, our Carpentry Team Lead (Foreman), who, together with the rest of our Christchurch carpentry team, have worked together to impart and invest their skills, knowledge, experience and wisdom into Jordan.

In just of two short weeks, Jordan has grown in both confidence and skillset and is increasingly eager to learn. When asked about his experience and time with Home Construction, Jordan commented that his favourite part was being part of a team, learning how to safely use power tools and seeing his carpentry skills grow. When we spoke to the team, the feedback was unanimous, ‘he is a great kid who is keen to learn’.

At Home Construction we endeavour to regularly take on apprentices and cadets or facilitate opportunities with our trusted build partners. It is important and paramount for us to continue to upskill and invest into the industry, outwardly give back and support local High Schools and help communities and individuals by giving them opportunities and a ‘foot in the door’. To date, we have invested into more than 100 apprentices directly through Home Construction and through our Build Partners. We seek to acquire apprentices from the local communities we build for, as in Mairehau High School in Christchurch.

As such, post doing a pre-trade carpentry course through Ara, Home Construction is excited to welcome Jordan an opportunity to the Home team as our newest apprentice, should he consider this. We want to constantly be training the next generation to be engaged to learn and excel in the industry.