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Engineering & Welding Student Profiles

Aaron Herk-Grimwood
Photo of Aaron Herk-Grimwood
Graduate: Certificate in Welding Level 3
Employed: Weldzone, Auckland

After ten years of working as an automotive mechanic, Aaron decided a change of direction was needed. With a long-held desire to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps he started thinking about a career in the welding/engineering industry.

Although living in Auckland, it was his mate who was studying at Bay of Plenty Polytechnic that talked him into moving to Tauranga to retrain. Aaron notes reputation, location and convenience as a deciding factor in choosing to study at the Polytechnic.

"My mate spoke very highly of the Polytechnic, and the idea of not having to spend hours in traffic every day was really appealing. Also, I love the outdoors and Tauranga and the Mount are perfect for that type of lifestyle; great weather and beach."

Now that he’s graduated from the programme, Aaron reflects on his time at Polytechnic and his decision to retrain.

"The tutors were great. They really ‘bend over backwards’ to ensure you understand. They hover over your shoulder; have a word in your ear to encourage you, make sure you follow procedure and tell you when you need to improve."

Since graduating Aaron has gained a job in a Auckland as a Welder with a company called Weldzone and is loving every minute of it. He has some words of advice for others who want to retrain or enter the welding/engineering industry.

"I really encourage others to do the course. If you have a dream – follow it. Don’t let anything hold you back!"

Written On: Thursday, 7 January 2010
Matthew Pearce
Photo of Matthew Pearce
Graduate: Certificate in Engineering Level 3
Employed: LENZ Equipment Ltd, Tauranga

Matt Pearce reckons Graduation night was the best.

"It was really great to gain the qualification. I didn’t do that well at high school but I ended up doing really well in the engineering course at Bay of Plenty Polytechnic. In fact, I ended up almost top of the class in both the theory and practical classes! I think my family was really proud."

After years in the print industry, the twenty-three year old decided he would trial working for his uncle at LENZ Equipment in engineering. He soon discovered he’d found his forte.

“I enjoyed it straight away; engineering fascinated me - machining and welding and working hands on. I find it really satisfying to make things.” After a year, Matt was encouraged to do the Certificate in Engineering Level 3 at Bay of Plenty Polytechnic. He was excited to be working towards a qualification and juggled part-time work with full-time study.

“At times it was a bit insane, working a lot as well as studying, but I managed and stayed focused. The tutors were really supportive. They bent over backwards to help me and I learnt so many skills. If I completed my work early they would give me extra tasks to keep me stimulated.

“A cool thing about the Polytechnic qualification is that because I majored in Mechanical Engineering, I gained two years of credit towards the theory part of the apprenticeship, so now I only have the practical hours to do.

“The projects were the highlight of the programme. We made some really cool stuff that we got to keep. I still use all my tools I made in the workshop."

This dedicated graduate has an exciting future. Alongside his full-time apprenticeship, he designed and built ‘Kayak Carriers’ and is also building up a part-time business. Go Matt!

Written On: Sunday, 14 March 2010
Samantha (Sam) Bradley
Trades Tech graduate and engineering student Sam Bradley
Student: Certificate in Engineering Level 3
Graduate: Certificate in Trades Technology Level 2

A former student of Otumoetai College, Sam Bradley is a focused 22 year old with her career plan firmly in place.

Sam left her training as a computer hardware support technician to tackle a career path that has traditionally been male dominated. Sam admits it was one of her girlfriends that fired her up with a flippant comment ”girls don’t do trades”. This motivated her to sign up for the Certificate in Trades Technology Level 2 programme.

This 18 week programme gives students a taste for engineering, automotive and carpentry, and is great for people looking for a hands-on career but have not yet decided which trade to pursue.

“I’m a practical person and this was right down my alley. It exposed me to different options and my tutors were great,” says Sam.

Highlights of the programme for Sam were the practical sessions and projects.

“In carpentry we built tool sheds, in automotive we fixed engines, and we were able to bend metal in engineering. I loved it all!”.

After graduating Sam confesses she loves to boast about her newfound knowledge. “I can identify most items or tools in workshops.”

Having decided that engineering was her forte, Sam is now enrolled in the Certificate in Engineering Level 3 programme. She aims to complete her studies at the end of the year and intends to go on to finish her engineering apprenticeship with a local engineering company.

This determined young woman is breaking the gender stereotypes and looks forward to turning her new found passion for engineering into a lucrative career! 

Written On: Monday, 18 April 2011
Te Keepa Stewart
Photo of Te Keepa Stewart
Student: Certificate in Engineering Level 3
Graduate: Certificate in Welding Level 3

Te Keepa Stewart is a hard working 19 year old from Whakatane who is determined to make a career in engineering. “My dad is a panel beater so I’ve always had affinity with engineering,” says Keepa. Not really enjoying his final year at Trident High School, Keepa was pleased to discover he could leave school mid-year and immediately pursue his engineering dream through Bay of Plenty Polytechnic’s second semester start.

“I was looking on the internet at different courses and it turned out to be perfect timing. Although I essentially ‘dropped out’ of high school I could start on the course straight away. My sister  had done a course at the Polytech and she was always positive about the facilities and the environment. The Polytech is also the closest to Whakatane so it wasn’t a difficult decision to make.”

Enrolling into the Certificate in Welding really appealed to Keepa. “The activities and assignments were all very hands-on and practical, which I like. One of the things I really liked was Tig welding because, when done properly, it looks great – especially on motorbikes!”

Proving how much the programme really appealed to him, Keepa was named top scoring student in welding for 2009. Keepa also had high praise for the Polytech tutors. “They not only taught us what they were supposed to but they also taught real-world experience. They would show us how something was done rather than explaining the theory. A major positive here was that we had new welders and equipment which we could use - and this year (2010) a new building opened with some awesome high-tech machines.”

When Keepa graduates from the Certificate in Engineering Level 3 it will reduce the time for an apprenticeship from 3.5 to 2.5 years. “I would like to go to Australia and work as an engineer; maybe I can find a company there where I can do an apprenticeship.”

Keepa has a last bit of advice for secondary school graduates. “When you choose a course you want to do, you will see that life becomes a whole lot easier when you’re surrounded by  people that have the same interests as you. There’s always ways you can help each other out, and it’s more like being part of the real work force than just being a student”

Written On: Wednesday, 13 October 2010