Page 18 - Build 151

Shorts
Pro le
An eye to the future
BCITO carpentry apprentice Cody Webby has his future mapped out. Becoming an apprentice is part of a grand plan to learn an in-demand trade, develop a portable skill and one day run his own business.
Q. Where did you grow up and go to school?
I grew up in Pakuranga and went to Elm Park and Wakaaranga primary schools, then Farm Cove Intermediate followed by Pakuranga College. I nished with a try in the corner through BCITO.
Q. What made you interested in taking on a carpentry apprenticeship?
I was a hands-on kind of kid, enjoying the outdoors, making little huts and helping Dad and Pop do some building work. I always chose hard materials throughout school as one of my subjects.
I didn’t like the idea of further study by sitting in classrooms day after day while slowly creeping into debt.
Getting a trade – earning while learning –
was the path for me. I was encouraged and
supported by my family to set me on the right path in life. This has been instrumental in getting me to where I am today.
Q. Where do you work, and what’s good about getting training?
I am employed by Licensed Renovations, my rst and only employer. One of the things that encourages me is knowing that I am going to have skills that will be in demand forever. It’s a skill set that can come with me. I can carry out building in any country in the world.
An apprenticeship is an opportunity for people straight out of school to make something of themselves, to come out of it debt free and make a decent income. It’s also a huge opportunity to have a skill set that is in demand.
Q. Do you want to have your own business one day?
The end goal is to retire with the boat, the bach, car and house with a big family. I see myself getting there through doing good- quality work and being a reliable tradie with my own company. I want to be the ‘big boss man’ one day, calling the shots and giving others the opportunities my boss, Russell, has given me.
I think builders should carry on their studies after they’ve quali ed in their apprenticeship and take their time in the trade to get to the highest level possible. Q. What are the main challenges facing the building industry?
Building is becoming more of a science with all the plans, Building Code, regulations and product speci cations
being so intense. I think there is going to be a shortage of quality tradespeople. People who can carry out work to the high-quality level that’s becoming a requirement, meet the stringent New Zealand Building Code and work to a budget. It’s important for builders to attend events to stay up to date with the Building Code, standards, regulations and latest trends.
Q. What are your thoughts on new technology in the industry?
Anything that is going to make building easier, safer, faster and more cost-e ective is a good thing. Licensed Renovations specialises in renovations and generally works on older homes that need some TLC. I encourage any new technology that can make existing homes more e cient, particularly if it makes them less expensive to live in and maintain.
16 — December 2015/January 2016 — Build 151