HBHS
TECHNOLOGY
INITIATIVE
APPRENTICESHIPS
2019
The cherry on the cake is when students get recognised by being offered apprenticeships.
Students at school strive to secure positions in industry as they know that once they start on this journey, they have a great future ahead of them.
Here are the apprenticeships awarded for 2019 thus far...
TAMA DUNN
Year 12
Age 17
Parents: Ricky Dunn & Rosie Robb
Siblings: Younger brothers, Zavier & Kylo
Tama started welding at HBHS just this year, and has proved he’s a real natural when it comes to craftsmanship. A very keen and talented rugby player (playing second five-eighths for the school and the Hurricanes Under 17s and first five for Hawke’s Bay), he has shown he’s quick and skilful with his hands off the field too.
Tama’s interest in welding started when he was working for his Uncle’sconstruction business in Wellington over the Christmas holidays. He was working on an 18 story high building hanging from a harness when he spotted some welders and had no qualms about striking up a conversation about what
they were up to.
When he went down to Queenstown to visit family he came up with the idea of a sun lounger for his main project for Year 12. He saw your standard fabric-based sun lounger and thought he could make a longer-lasting, more durable version
with a steel framework and wooden slats. It looks a lot nicer too!
Tama’s dream is to be an All Black, and he’s not going to give up on this as he’s determined to go far in his rugby career. Tama’s other goal is to complete his apprenticeship then move on to the Navy to become an Underwater Welding Diver – something he saw his Uncle do growing up.
When asked what he is most looking forward to about his 2019 Apprenticeship at Patton Engineering, he replied “Finally becoming a man, and looking after myself, especially so I don’t’ have to ask Dad for gas money.”
CALEB IRELAND
Year 12
Age 16
Parents: Andrew & Sandra Ireland
Siblings: Brother, Seth
Caleb is a hard working Year 12 student with a three years experience in the HBHS Engineering department. Having skills in grinding, welding and all areas of general engineering has really helped with his passion in Speedway which he’s been doing since he was ten years old. In fact, his main project for the year was a fully functioning steel cart,
ready to race. This project was based off a stock car design that he and his dad researched and watched videos on to get the basic designs and functionality right.
Caleb is not afraid of hard work and has been working part-time at Stephenson Transport in Waipawa every Friday since Year 9 extending his skills in engineering. This work experience set him up strongly for his time this year on the floor at Patton Engineering.
Welding is his favourite part of engineering and that showed when he took part in building a handrail for a Wellington-based project.
Caleb’s dream is to have his own business, preferably in the truck driving industry, but to be his own boss is the goal.
When asked what he is most looking forward to about his 2019 Apprenticeship at Patton Engineering, he replied “Making more money so I can put more into my Speedway cars”.
EKTAJ SINGH
Year 13
18 years old
Parents: Jaspreet & Tarnjit Singh
Siblings: younger brother, Kaval
Ektaj is highly motivated and ready to get started in his welding career. He is a forward-thinker and is very focused on developing his welding technique and being the absolute best he can be.
Being practical, Ektaj wants to use his hands in his career, to create and be a master of his skills. As soon as he saw the opportunity to work in welding and engineering, he grabbed it knowing it was for him.
His main project this year was his very own grinder, powered by a drill – innovation at its best!
Ektaj has a strong family bond with his parents which has led to a highly admirable work ethic and respect for hard work. He has worked all year round since a young lad on the orchards that his Father manages – picking, thinning, you name it he did it.
During his time this year at Patton’s, he worked on a beam on the workshop floor and loved being part of the work environment.
His dream job is to follow in his dad’s footsteps and be an orchard owner. If not an orchard, it would be a small company, as long as he can be his own boss.
When asked what he is most looking forward to about his 2019 Apprenticeship at Patton Engineering, he replied “I’m looking forward to learning new skills and improving myself. My Dad always told me: it’s not about the money, it’s all about
the skill.”
MATTHEW WILSON
Year 13
Age 18
Parents: Greg and Sue-Anne Wilson
Siblings: Older sisters Kylie and Caitlin, older brother Jamie
Matthew is a hardworking and disciplined student that knows how to manage himself andmake use of his resources. He has been in the Technology workshops at Hastings Boys HighSchool since Year 9 and has learned many skills and techniques over the years.
His final project in Design Technology for Year 13 was a subwoofer speaker box for his car containing sound activated multi-coloured LEDs as well as a purposely designed bass reflex system for maximum sound levels!
He is also a specialist prop and played the 2018 season for the schools 1stXV rugby team. Matthew also played for the Hawkes Bay under 13s, 14s, 16s and 18s representative rugby teams.
He believes that to achieve in life, you have to be disciplined, work hard and keep working at it while believing in yourself.
Matthew enjoys hunting, team activities, family timeand playing sports. During holiday times he has worked for Tumu ITM as a general yard labourer, built picket fences and more recently worked at Kmart as a stockroom organiser and stock floor maintainer.
His long term goals are to qualify as a builder and use his trade to travel the world and visit foreign countries.
MAX MALPAS
17 years old
Max lives with his mum and her partner and his older brother Oscar in Otane.
He enjoys the rural lifestyle and makes use of his free time by riding his off-road motorcycle, enjoying the outdoors and chilling with family.
Max has been at Hastings Boys’ High School since Year 9 and he is an old hand in the workshops at school. While in Year 12 he was introduced to the art of BBQ’ing over coals and cooking meat “low and slow” in a covered BBQ. Max’s project for Year 12 was a 3mm steel plate BBQ that he rolled and built all by himself. The BBQ has been welded together to a very good standard and has already cooked plenty of dinners.
Max is looking forward to learning many new skills at Patton Engineering and becoming well proficient in a variety of Fabrication techniques.
After completing his apprenticeship he wishes to stay at Patton Engineering for a few more years to refine his skills and gain more experience before venturing overseas for a possible OE.
