Mid-year graduation start of new carpentry career
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| Carpentry Group Leader Brian Dillon with graduate Troy Davy |
The sun shone and the birds sang as more than 700 people gathered at Tauranga’s Holy Trinity on Friday to celebrate the success of students attending Bay of Plenty Polytechnic’s Mid-Year Graduation Ceremony.
With 460 students graduating the air was buzzing with optimism as the new graduates venture out into the work force or attend further training.
Troy Davy from Katikati joined 13 of his classmates on stage with the group successfully completing the National Certificate in Carpentry Level 4 apprenticeship programme. It took Troy three and half years to complete his qualification while working full-time as an apprentice with local company Atrium Builders.
“I’m really happy - the hard work has paid off and now I’m a qualified carpenter,” says Troy. “I’ve always wanted to be a carpenter and now I have the skills and confidence to work in the building industry!”
Troy spent three and a half years travelling through Europe doing his OE, picking up odd jobs here and there before working at busy Heathrow Airport for two years. In 2008, he and his partner decided it was time to come back to New Zealand and get his career on track.
Always keen on the building industry Troy had completed the Polytechnic’s Certificate in Carpentry Level 3 entry programme back in 2001 so it was a natural progression for him to pick up where he left off.
Polytechnic tutor, Philip Grimmer, was his tutor then and now and is impressed with how hard working the new graduate was. “Since returning from overseas Troy had matured tremendously and was more focused in getting trade qualified,” says Philip. He’s been great to teach and a real leader in our class discussions.”
Troy is still employed with Atrium Builders as a qualified carpenter with the company specialising in renovations, new builds and light commercial work.
“I’ve got a great employer, I‘m enjoying my work and see myself working on the tools for a few more years,” says Troy. “My goal in five years’ time is to build a new house for my family.”
Bay of Plenty Polytechnic will be hosting five more Graduation Ceremonies in December and supplying more quality graduates to the work force
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