When Jack Hart took part in BCITO’s Gateway programme in 2017, he was a secondary school student looking for a career that would keep him active, challenged and out from behind a desk. Now 23, he’s running his own building business, BlackRock Homes in Auckland and creating opportunities for the next generation by taking on apprentices of his own.

“I have a few family members who are builders, and I always looked up to them,” he says. “At school and on the weekends, I always enjoyed being outside and doing more physical activities, and I couldn’t see myself sitting in an office.”

Gateway provided him the opportunity to take the first practical step towards a career in the trades. The BCITO Gateway programme gives students the chance to try the trades while they are still at school, combining classroom learning with on-site work experience with local employers. BCITO also supports schools by providing learning and assessment resources, assessing unit standards, helping careers advisors connect with local industry employers, and introducing students to prospective employers when they leave school.

“It’s important to educate young people on how to budget, communicate with others verbally, and have goals that are realistic and achievable, otherwise we are setting them up to fail. Gateway allows them to experience employment, constructive criticism and gain advice outside the school gates, so leaving those gates is not overwhelming when the time comes,” explains BCITO schools liaison, Nikki Shand-Marcusson.

As his then-Gateway advisor at Botany Downs Secondary College, Nikki arranged Jack’s Gateway placement. Through the programme, he spent two weeks gaining work experience with his cousin’s building company during the school holidays. That was enough for him to realise it was something he wanted to do long term.

Seeing his enthusiasm, Nikki helped Jack get an interview with the builders who were doing renovations on her own home, Ashton Build. That turned into a full-time job. Jack completed his apprenticeship over four years before stepping into a foreman role. He later moved companies to gain experience on larger projects, spending three years building his skills, confidence and getting noticed before setting up on his own.

“I’m lucky to have made strong connections in the industry. I found myself getting more work opportunities while still employed, so that gave me the confidence to work for myself full time,” he says.

Now Jack’s journey has come full circle, seeing him give work experience to two students this year and take on an apprentice to pass on the skills he began to learn through Gateway. He’s a firm believer in supporting the next generation to get ahead, which is also helping him grow his own business and take on bigger projects.

For Jack, that’s one of the strengths of the trades. With the right attitude, support and willingness to learn, young people can build a career that offers progression, independence and real rewards.

“I think any trade is a great career as long as you’re willing to put in the hard work,” he says. “It’s definitely something you have to want as there are plenty of tough tasks and long days, but the reward of a completed project at the end makes it worth it.”

As for Nikki, she couldn’t be prouder.

“I first met Jack when he was a Year 11 student looking for practical learning and a way into the trades. Through Gateway and BCITO support, he was able to turn work experience into an apprenticeship. It’s been a real privilege to see that early experience grow into a career – it’s so rewarding to see young people not only grow in their trade but develop into capable, confident young adults,” she says.