our PEOPLE

‘Three years ago, the labour market was incredibly tight and we had difficulty recruiting trade-certified staff,’ says Stevenson HR Manager Geoff White. ‘We decided to grow our own talent. We’re also taking a proactive stance in lifting the skill levels in the industries in which we operate.’The company adopts a range of approaches with the various trade training organisations such as MITO, EXITO, Competenz and Skills4works. These organisations provide young New Zealanders with access to a broad range of trade training and national qualifications, enabling them to learn a trade while being paid on the job.

Sammy Subritzky Apprentice, Stevenson Resources, Drury quarry (EXITO)

‘I’m studying for my quarry manager’s certificate. My goal is to run a quarry one day. When I arrived here fresh from school I’d never even seen a dump truck before and knew nothing about the quarry industry. Over the past three and a half years I’ve learned to drive dumpers, loaders, bulldozers and excavators and worked on a range of screens and crushers. For the past year I’ve been running a $12 million tertiary plant, so I have a lot of responsibilities.’ 

‘Sam knew nothing about mining or quarrying when he started. Over the past 12 months he’s stepped up to a different level,’ says Drury Quarry Manager Shane Toto. ‘Operating the tertiary plant requires a lot of technical ability, computer work, and expertise in blending rock using the latest technology. He has a very good attitude. He’s got a lot of responsibility operating the tertiary plant.’

Ben CarterWeld Shop apprentice, Stevenson Engineering (Skills4works)

‘I’ve been an apprentice here for three years, since I left high school. By the end of this year I’ll have my Diploma in Heavy Fabrication. Next year I’m off to university to study for a bachelor of engineering. I wanted to get practical hands-on experience first. I’ve enjoyed my apprenticeship here, the variety of work, the good people and the environment.’

‘Ben will go a long way,’ says Weld Shop Manager Bill Green. ‘I wish I could clone him. A really nice guy, he’s got a great attitude, is reliable, good to have around, very mature for his age and quick to grasp things. He’ll make an absolutely brilliant engineer.’ (For the third year in succession Ben Carter has been awarded the title of Apprentice of the Year by MIT.)

 Mark ScottDiesel Mechanic apprentice, NZ Trucks South Island (MITO)
Already a qualified car mechanic, Mark began a second apprenticeship at age 40. ‘I was sick of working on cars and wanted to transfer my skills to become a diesel mechanic. There’s more variety and mobility in my new work and I like working on bigger scale vehicles.’

‘Mark started his adult apprenticeship with us two years ago,’ says NZ Trucks South Island Training Officer Peter Small. ‘He’s been committed to working for a qualification in Automotive Heavy Engineering and his certificate in Automotive Engineering Plant and Equipment. His approachable, friendly and conscientious attitude will take him far.’