Big scale project offers variety for young apprentice

For as long as he can remember Gareth only ever wanted to become a plumber - following in his father's footsteps. But the recession put paid to that; despite scouring the length and breadth of the country he was unable to secure an apprenticeship.

Fortunately for him, not long after securing a short term labouring contract he had the enviable task of having to choose between two job offers - having been offered two alternative apprenticeship opportunities in two days.

He chose to accept an offer from Fulton Hogan as he saw ‘bigger opportunities
and guaranteed work' and is now working towards his Mechanical Engineering - General Engineering Level 4 qualification.

And work couldn't come on a bigger scale as he was immediately assigned to work on the NGA Newmarket project constructing the Newmarket (viaduct) Connection.

Just four weeks before Christmas he reported to NGA Newmarket's Plant Supervisor Peter Telfer who he now ‘shadows' on a daily basis. Not that Peter would have it any other way - ‘he's super keen to pass his knowledge on to younger blood'.

Every day is different for Gareth and he is never sure what awaits him, but his enthusiasm for the job and learning shines through.

Although Gareth works under supervision, Peter has told his colleagues on site that if they are doing a job and Gareth can learn from them, ‘let him join in'.

By doing so he's racking up his skills, having learned and completed welding; how to set up hydraulic pumps for rams and hoses; testing, repairing and tagging electrical items and reading plans.

"Gareth now signs off all electrical tags as he's deemed to be competent," explained Peter.

"We're flat out on this job and I can't nurse maid him. He knows to ask me, and others, if he doesn't understand anything and I'll take the time to make sure he does understand.

"If I show him what to do and he says he's OK, I know I can leave him alone.

"One of the bigger jobs he's been assigned to and can now master is to strip down a gear box, which has meant starting from the beginning by pulling it apart; determining parts for replacement; ordering and fitting them and then testing to ensure smooth functioning."

A typical day would see Gareth checking all the machinery ensuring all fluids are topped up and complete, then move into repairing and tagging any electrical items.

At the moment crews work on a 24/7 basis, with all concrete segments being erected at night. This means Peter receives a maintenance list each morning from which he assigns tasks to Gareth. "He gets through most of the tasks by the end of the day," says Peter.

So far Gareth says he's really enjoying the job and having fun.

"Because the project is so big, there's a lot of variety. I've also got flexibility on deciding what tasks to do which is not always available if you're working in a workshop," says Gareth.

His days are long leaving his Mahurangi home at five o'clock in the morning to start work around 6.00am. His hard hat comes off around 5.30pm and then he readies himself for the long haul home. Mondays are extra long as he stops at Northcote College for nearly three hours of night school.

Competenz Account Manager Bevan Prince, who oversees Gareth's apprenticeship, says ‘he's a bright young thing!'

"He's exceptionally keen to do everything and has almost completed his first year on-job training in just four months.

"He's a young guy that will really go places because of his commitment, focus and enthusiasm, and to land a job working on the Newmarket project - at 19 - is fantastic.

"He's a role model for other young guys who perhaps don't know what career path to follow."
According to Gareth there's a variety of basic skills one should have in order to become an engineer, including ‘a good dollop of common sense; practical thinking and practical hand skills, not afraid to get dirty and not afraid of physical heights.'

Climbing the tall blue mass of scaffolding and gantries alongside the existing Newmarket motorway doesn't faze him at all - it's a daily occurrence.

Gareth is a young man on a mission with clearly defined goals and his future mapped out. He's confident his apprenticeship will be completed to coincide with the completion of the Newmarket Connection project scheduled for 2012.

After that he would like to use his engineering qualification and skills acquired on this project to travel the world. But New Zealand will always be home.

The Newmarket Connection project is being delivered for the New Zealand Transport Authority by NGA Newmarket - the second generation of the alliance that successfully delivered the Northern Gateway project, (Waiwera tunnel) on budget and ahead
of schedule.