Secure option

Sometimes there is more to things than meets the eye. For example, this home's concrete floors are warm to the touch, thanks to energy-efficient, hydronic underfloor heating. However, when choosing a career path you want everything out in the open a paid apprenticeship with a registered master tradesperson ensures this.

The Plumbing, Gasfitting, Drainlaying and Roofing Industry Training Organisation (ITO) offers apprenticeship leads and sound advice to those thinking of taking up a career as a master tradesperson. The ITO puts people in touch with registered master tradespeople who take them under their wing and teach them the skills of their trade. One such nurturing environment is Plumbcraft, the company that installed a raft of heating systems for this home. Managing director Sean Stephens says young blood is vital to his company.

"We have paid apprentices registered with the ITO training across a range of trade disciplines, including drainlaying, gasfitting and plumbing," he says. "They work on projects ranging from domestic installations to waste water management, as well as commercial undertakings."

Stephens says his company started focusing on registered ITO apprenticeships six years ago when he realised his own apprentices, with only two years' training, already had a far greater understanding of the job than others he had employed.

"We teach our apprentices the Plumbcraft way for example, we show them how their job slots in with other trades on a project," he says. "The work is varied and interesting, and frequently involves technologies centred around energy efficiency."

For details on Plumbcraft, phone (09) 296 7070, or visit the website: www.plumbcraft.co.nz.

For details on a trade apprenticeship, contact the ITO, phone 0800 277 736. Email: info@ito.co.nz. Website: www.ito.co.nz.

Story by: Trendsideas