BUILDING FUTURE OPPORTUNITY WITH A VALUE-ADD APPROACH

Hoani Komene Priest still can’t quite believe that he is the one who will benefit from a new apprenticeship placement arranged by PKW.

“This is a real chance for me to build a proper career and a future for myself,” he says. “This sort of opportunity doesn’t come along very often so I am just so stoked that they chose me.”

The four-year apprenticeship at KO Design Building Services incorporating GJ Gardner Homes will see him developing his skills on-site, learning from qualified builders, as well as hitting the books which will all lead to a Certificate in Carpentry qualification.

Above: Hoani Komene Priest with the owner of KO Design Building Services incorporating GJ Gardner Homes, Ben Hawke.

Owner Ben Hawke is delighted to have Hoani on board and says for him it’s an opportunity to give back both to PKW and the building industry. The business has held a long-standing relationship with the organisation of more than 20 years, building dairy sheds on PKW farms across Taranaki.

“It’s been something that we have talked about in the past and I am really pleased that PKW have taken me up on the offer,” says Ben. “The opportunity is a sign of the value in which PKW are held, not only by my company, but by the region as a whole.”

“Taking on an apprentice is a real responsibility but one I am privileged to have. I look forward to seeing Hoani grow and learn during his time with us.”

The offer arose out of the need to build a new home on Farm 3 and was included as part of Ben’s tender for the job.

“This is a great example of our new procurement strategy having a positive impact for the organisation and Taranaki Māori by encouraging our suppliers to add value,” says Mitchell Ritai, General Manager Shareholder Engagement. “It also shows that we have heard the voices of our owners, asking us to provide more employment opportunities for our whānau.”

PKW reached out to Māori Pasifika Trades Training in Taranaki to select suitable candidates, before Hoani was offered the opportunity.

“It was pretty nerve-wracking,” says Hoani. “I had to answer some pretty hard questions. Now I am determined to work really hard, learn as much as I can and get qualified so that maybe one day I can be in the position to offer something similar to someone else.”

Above: Hoani on his first day of work.

Ben was impressed by both the candidates but said that Hoani’s motivation and desire to be part of the building industry really stood out.

“I can teach skills but I can’t teach motivation,” he says. “Hoani has been trying to progress his building career for a while after completing entry-level training at WITT and that tenacity really stood out.”

“The whole experience of working with PKW in this way has been so positive and I would really like to be able to do it again in a few years’ time.”