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MEET MASTERLINK’S NEW TRAINING MANAGER AND DISCOVER MORE ABOUT THE NEW TRAINING INITIATIVE FOR MASTERLINK APPRENTICES. Introducing Training Manager Jason Goei
Jason Goei joined Masterlink in December in the newly created role of Training Manager. Jason will be overseeing the creation, development and coordination of training resources to aid Masterlink apprentices and take them to the next level.
“My goal is to understand the learning needs of our apprentices and host businesses, so we can better prepare the future leaders of our industry through appropriate, flexible and applicable training resources,” he says.
Jason’s background is in international business, logistics and education management. Previous to his current role, he managed the Training Academy at the Building Officials Institute of New Zealand (BOINZ). In his spare time, he loves making things—whether it be fixing and rebuilding motorbikes in his garage (riding them too!) or trying out new recipes in the kitchen.
Jason is driving the development of new training resources for Masterlink apprentices.
Please get in touch with Jason if you have course topic ideas you think would benefit Masterlink apprentices, or if you’re an experienced plumber, gasfitter or drainlayer and would like to add value to the future of our industry through training: jason.goei@masterlink.co.nz 04 801 2019
After a year off due to Covid-19, it’s great to see Plumbing World’s Young Plumber of the Year competition back on the calendar in 2021! Master Plumbers and Masterlink are once again among the sponsors of this flagship event, and we encourage all our eligible apprentices to get involved (you just have to be aged 31 or under by 31 December 2021 to enter)!
This year’s competition has the biggest prize pool yet, with over $50,000 worth of prizes and priceless experiences up for grabs. Branch events kick off in June, with the National Final set for 6 October in Hamilton.
Enter now at www.youngplumbersclub.co.nz
Enter now for the 2021 Young Plumber of the Year competition, in association with Plumbing World.
CONGRATULATIONS COLLEEN!
TAKING APPRENTICES TO THE NEXT LEVEL
Find out the ways Masterlink is working to give our apprentices the skills they need to be this industry’s future leaders.
Masterlink Training Days
Thanks to government funding to assist employers, Masterlink Training Days will enable Masterlink apprentices to spend time learning valuable new skills free of charge. When you hire a first-year apprentice with us, who works at least 40 hours a week, Masterlink will credit your business with eight hours to be used for training.
With this credit, you can choose to enrol your apprentice free of charge on one of our face-to-face or online courses, or upskill them internally. They can use this time to enjoy our Qualification Support courses, which will prepare them for block courses and supplement their learning goals, or talk to us about additional training such as an Elevated Work Platform course—we may be able to assist with costs for eligible apprentices.
Masterlink Trades Ready Programme
Masterlink works to support the wider building and construction sector by giving our apprentices the opportunity to learn transferrable skills. Through our introductory block course, new apprentices gain skills in areas such as:
First Aid Level 2
Confined Spaces & Gas Testing
Hazard & Risk Management
Hazardous Substances in the Workplace
Asbestos Awareness
Communications & Ethics.
Qualification Support & Essential Skills Courses
Masterlink is currently developing a combination of online, blended and in-class learning resources to support our apprentices. The primary delivery focus is online eLearning solutions, due to the current environment of the Covid-19 pandemic. Courses include:
Technical Courses Essential Skills
Gas Cold Water Communications Ethics
Hot Water Foul Water
Invoicing Budgeting Drainage Financial Literacy Regulatory Framework Wellbeing
DON’T GET DISTRACTED!
Mobile device distraction is the focus for the first quarter Masterlink apprentice appraisals. We all need to be mindful of the risks associated with using mobile devices on the worksite— particularly when operating or working in the vicinity of vehicles and equipment. If you’re on your mobile, you won’t be giving your full attention to the task at hand or any hazards around you. Check with your host company to see what policies they have around mobile use in the workplace.
Get to know our Regional Managers
BOB MCCOY LOWER NORTH ISLAND REGIONAL MANAGER
Based in Hawkes Bay, Bob McCoy has been Lower North Island RM for Masterlink for the past six years. “During this time, I have had the pleasure of employing, mentoring and watching the numerous apprentices I have managed grow into successful tradespeople,” says Bob. “It is always a highlight to present them with their qualification certificates on completion of their apprenticeships.”
Bob was particularly thrilled when the first apprentice he recruited for Masterlink won the 2019 James Douglas Medallion, which is presented each year to a newly qualified plumber, gasfitter or drainlayer in recognition of excellence in their trade. “In 2020 one of my more mature apprentices was the overall top Plumbing finalist for the same award, which was an outstanding effort,” he says.
Originally from Northern Ireland, Bob completed an electronic/ mechanical apprenticeship before becoming a police officer for 20 years, both in the UK and New Zealand, and later working in the insurance industry.
Bob is passionate about his role at Masterlink and believes that being open, honest and doing what you say you’re going to do within the agreed timeframes is key to growing strong and sustainable relationships with hosts and apprentices.
“When a business uses Masterlink as their apprentice employer provider of choice, I strive to understand their business needs to help them select apprentices most suited to our company values,” he says.
Presenting Masterlink apprentices with their qualification certificates as they complete their apprenticeships is always a highlight for Bob McCoy.
Masterlink milestones
WELCOME
A warm welcome to new Masterlink apprentices: ■ Henry Cooper – Titirangi Plumbing & Drainlaying, Auckland ■ Mohammed Saheb – Progress Plumbing, Auckland ■ Dylan Ford – Illingworth Plumbing, Auckland ■ Keegan Eldrett – Born 2 Plumb, Auckland ■ Eddie Magennis – Liquid Lines Plumbing, Auckland ■ Liam Butler Quinn – Morrinsville Plumbing & Gas, Waikato ■ Raiden Keeble-Gardiner – Morrinsville Plumbing & Gas, Waikato ■ Nathan Smith – Laser Hamilton West, Hamilton ■ Reid Morgan – C F Reese Ltd, Hamilton ■ Devante Cassin – Tech Mechanical, Napier ■ Cooper Russell-Hall – E G Glennie & Co, Wellington ■ Jack O’Neill – Williamson Drainage Contractors, Christchurch ■ Nick Cartwright – Advantage Plumbing Queenstown ■ Matt Dale – Advantage Plumbing Queenstown ■ Daniel Muir – HiFlo Plumbing & Gas, Oamaru ■ Matt Leishman – University of Otago, Dunedin
QUALIFIED!
Congratulations to all newly qualified Masterlink apprentices and a big thanks to their host businesses!
PLUMBING & GASFITTING
■ James Ball ■ Joshua Coleman ■ Cameron Isaacs ■ George Morgan ■ Tyler Richardson ■ Thomas Scurr ■ Alan Wharton ■ Cameron Wilson
PLUMBING
■ Harrison Clark ■ Ezra Edwards ■ Darren Mills ■ Tahir Nin ■ Matthew Neale ■ Aaron Parry ■ Ben Ryan ■ Patrick Sweeney
Aaron Parry of Illingworth Plumbing receiving his Plumbing National Certificate from Masterlink RM Colin Kilpatrick. Not one but three Masterlink apprentices at host company Heron Plumbing have recently completed National Certificates! Director Dale Lovell is shown here with, from left, Ben Ryan, Patrick Sweeney and Tahir Nin.
James Ball at Brierly Plumbing & Gas Services with his Plumbing and Gasfitting National Certificates.
GET IN TOUCH
Need an apprentice in your business? Masterlink Regional Managers are here to help.
Tania Forsyth Auckland & Northland 027 558 5441
Russell Walsh Central North Island 027 600 9929
Sam Timlin Upper South Island 021 433 615 Colin Kilpatrick Auckland 021 773 296
Bob McCoy Lower North Island 027 479 0075
Brendan Parker Lower South Island 021 644 560
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