4 minute read
PLUMBER | BASIL CARPENTER
NO REGRETS WITH TRADE
BASIL CARPENTER had nearly completed a degree when he decided he wanted to get a trade instead. The decision to leave before he completed his Bachelor of Business majoring in accounting and project management was a big decision at the time. But as he nears the end of his five-year plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying apprenticeship, he has no regrets. “On one of my summer breaks at uni, I went and worked for one of my dad’s clients who has a farm out in Pukekohe. I realised that I was going to be much happier working with my hands and getting a job that has critical thinking in that field, rather than in an office,” says Basil. “I had worked in an office before and it was not that enjoyable for me. I’ve got dyslexia so sitting in an office is not so good for me compared to being outside.” Basil works for McDermond P&G Solutions in Auckland with his apprenticeship organised through Masterlink. “I am in maintenance and renovations work with plenty of critical thinking and no two jobs are the same. Each time you have to go about solving the problem a different way than you have in the past. “I find that quite enjoyable and there is good variation of work, so I am not doing the same thing over and over again. That’s what I love about plumbing.” In July, Basil was one of 10 Masterlink apprentices to win a fully funded 16-day Masterlink Outward Bound Leadership Course Scholarship. “Honestly that was amazing. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life and was also the best thing I have ever had to do in my life. The one thing I took the most from it was how it teaches you resilience. For me, it was quite nice to reinforce leadership stuff I have done in the past. “Masterlink have been very helpful from the start. They gave me some tools to begin with [that] I can use in the plumbing trade and helped me out with a host company.” Basil attended King’s College in Auckland. In Year 13, he took Technology, English, Economics and PE. “For any high school to be looked at as good, it is all about university entrance. At the time I decided to go to university to do my degree, I was not sure what I wanted to do. “If I can give a recommendation to anyone, it would be to take as many subjects as you can and then find out what you want to do. Take a break, get some work experience, just get out of your comfort zone.” The trades are booming at the moment with plenty of vacancies and endless opportunities in the future. Basil says school leavers should consider their options. “Do your research on what you want to do, find a good company that has good variety of work and don’t be afraid to ask for help.”
BASIL CARPENTER
KEY FACTS
■ BASIL CARPENTER IS COMPLETING AN APPRENTICESHIP IN PLUMBING, GASFITTING
AND DRAINLAYING WITH McDERMOND P&G SOLUTIONS IN AUCKLAND. ■ HE TOOK TECHNOLOGY, ENGLISH, ECONOMICS AND PE IN YEAR 13 AND STUDIED
TOWARD A BACHELOR OF BUSINESS MAJORING IN ACCOUNTING AND PROJECT
MANAGEMENT BEFORE SHIFTING TO DO HIS APPRENTICESHIP. ■ BASIL WAS RECENTLY AWARDED A MASTERLINK OUTWARD BOUND LEADERSHIP
COURSE SCHOLARSHIP, WHERE HE WAS FULLY FUNDED TO COMPLETE THE 16-DAY LEADERSHIP COURSE. For more information on apprenticeships in plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying through Masterlink, visit
www.masterlink.co.nz
Supporting future tradies now & into the future
There are plenty of reasons why Kiwi tradies trust Plumbing World to have their back. So here are a few of the things we’re doing behind the scenes to support our mates looking to join the trade.
Championing the next generation.
The plumbing trades are an attractive career option for all school leavers to consider, so we’re proud to continue to support the Masterlink and ATT apprenticeship schemes, especially in these uncertain times. We’re also very proud of our Young Plumbers and Young Plumber of the Year initiatives as they help future proof our Industry and support and celebrate excellence.
Keeping business moving.
We work alongside Master Plumbers and closely with our suppliers advocating to MBIE and the Government on behalf of the plumbing trades to ensure business keeps functioning while global supply is disrupted.
Supporting equality.
We’re focused on providing a supportive and inclusive culture for all our team members. Plumbing World is also a NAWIC supporter (National Association of Women in Construction) and is behind the Women in Trades Expo series.
Keeping the flame alive.
We’re dedicated to getting to a zero carbon future so are working to ensure our operations are efficient. We are also focused on instilling confidence in the future of NZ’s energy mix as we move away from fossil fuels to further cut our countries emissions.
We’re your Team in Black
At Plumbing World we’re committed to developing our people throughout their careers. To support this we have teamed up with all the best industry players to make our industry hum. We’re here to keep our industry safe, inclusive and open so everyone’s journey is rewarding. If the Plumbing trades sound good to you please drop us a line.
