Trading Bricks For Boards A Leap Worth Making

Brenton began his career at the age of 16, taking on an apprenticeship at Karton Brick and Block, a company whose strong team culture kept him there for 17 years.

“My time as a bricklayer was great, the guys were amazing, and I had an excellent boss. I enjoyed delivering the best results for our clients,” he says.

When his boss, Bruce Karton, decided to retire, Brenton found himself at a crossroads. Offered the chance to take over the bricklaying side of the business, he realised it wasn’t the path he truly wanted.

“I felt drawn to building and had always wondered whether that was the path I should have gone down. I also wanted to keep learning and evolving my skills. It felt like the right time to take the leap,” he says.

Brenton decided to step outside his comfort zone and joined Shore Construction, a company he had subcontracted for in the past.

“The transition had its challenges. Shore Construction is a great company and I already had good relationships there, but it was bittersweet to see Karton close after such a long and successful run,” he admits.

Starting his apprenticeship with Shore Construction, the first year was about 50/50 building and masonry. Each year, the masonry work gradually decreased as he focused more on building, and Brenton became a fully qualified carpenter in July 2023.

Just over a year later, Brenton has risen rapidly to become a foreman, recognising his existing leadership skills and thirst to keep learning. Not content to stop at one new qualification, he’s now doing his Level 5 Supervisor course with BCITO as well.

"The course has been great so far, with a lot of helpful content around mental wellbeing and conflict management—things that weren’t around earlier in my trade career. It’s been an excellent opportunity to learn more and grow with the industry," he says.

Brenton believes there’s been a huge positive shift in the culture of the construction sector since he started out.

“When I started, the work environment was quite different, with less emphasis on health and wellbeing. Today, there’s a much better balance, and it’s great to see these things being prioritised, alongside hard work and shared responsibility.”

He has no regrets about his career move. “As a builder, I get to see projects through from start to finish. It’s incredibly rewarding to help clients with evolving ideas and problem-solving throughout the build,” He says.

His favourite project to date? Brenton has used the skills learned across his career in bricklaying and carpentry to build his family home, a lasting legacy of just how far he’s come.

Brenton’s story highlights the opportunities within New Zealand’s construction industry. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to retrain, BCITO offers the support and resources to help take your career to new heights. Learn more about our apprenticeships and courses at BCITO.