Building a pathway to construction

• Published date: 25 January 2023
• Publication title: Stratford Press

Coby Blair and Chance Johnston of Inglewood High School and Itibwebwe ‘Izy’ Nganga of Francis Douglas Memorial College took park in the Build a Bridge programme last year, and thanks to their experience from the programme and the industry connections of tutors, they have gained full-time employment with Shed Boss Taranaki

In its second year, the Build a Bridge programme sees secondary students work with industry to build footbridges for the community. This year, 22 students built three bridges — two at the Mangati Walkway in Bell Block and one at the Waimea Stream Reserve.

WITT Te Pūkenga lead of infrastructure for senior projects, Dave Hudson, says over the course of the programme he got to know the boys and their ambitions.

“These three young men are top-tier. I was happy to put them forward.”

With the current labour shortage, Dave’s industry connections saved Shed Boss, commercial developers and makers of custom steel buildings, time and hassle.

Shed Boss project manager Steve Norman says there’s not enough labourers, and the boys...