Apprentices learning on the job

Citycare Property has always had a strong commitment to supporting on-the-job learning through apprenticeship pathways.  

Jacob Thompson-Looij and Hayden Thompson are Landscape Apprentices within the team in Christchurch. 

They are both about to commence their Level 4 New Zealand Certificate in Landscape Construction through the Primary ITO.

Recently they have been working on the Heathcote River dredging and bank stabilisation project.

The best thing about the apprenticeship for Jacob is “learning new skills and being able to put them into practice.” 

Hayden says, “I enjoy more hands-on skills and learning about water enhancement projects, bank stability, data entry and working with hydro barriers.”

The apprentices have also worked on the Marshlands Road timber drain re-alignment project.

“It’s great to support keen and talented young people and observe as they develop and become excellent future Citycare Property employees, growing in understanding of our work in connecting communities through the infrastructure we build and maintain,” says Executive General Manager Mike Killick.

“To provide the best services for the communities where we operate, the Citycare Property approach is to employ local people to look after local assets,” Executive General Manager People, Safety and Sustainability Leeanne Carson-Hughes says.

“Also, encouraging young people to learn about careers in construction and infrastructure is a key part of our role as an industry professional,” Leeanne says.

“We support a range of initiatives and partnerships designed to attract young people to the range of training and workplace opportunities we offer.

“We love the idea of our workforce reflecting the communities where we work. When people work locally, they’re more engaged and committed,” Leeanne says.

Around the country, Citycare Property offers graduate and field leadership programmes, traineeships and apprenticeships from painting trainees to graduate civil and environmental engineers.

The appeal of an apprenticeship is to earn money while getting skills and qualifications and there’s lots of pre-trade training around New Zealand to give prospective apprentices a taste of working in a particular industry.

Apprentice Jacob Thompson Looij

Apprentice Hayden Thompson