At 48, Wellington-based Sam isn’t your typical apprentice. A keen sportsman who studied a Bachelor of Leisure Studies at Waikato University, Sam spent years working as a personal trainer and managing gyms. But alongside that career, he often lent a hand to his friend Dion Bennett on building and landscaping jobs. What started as a favour to a friend, eventually became the spark that set him on a new path.

“I’ve always been interested in the practical side of things,” Sam explains. “From the first time I did some labouring, I thought it was something for me. I loved being able to see what I had achieved at the end of the day. After years of talking about it, I finally committed to working with Dion in 2019, and not long after, we agreed I should take on an apprenticeship.”

Little did he know that enthusiasm would also rub off on son Jackson. “One day I asked my son what he wanted to do for work, and he said either personal training or building. I strongly suggested building,” Sam laughs.

That’s exactly what Jackson did, starting his own apprenticeship at a different company soon after. Before long the two were in a friendly competition.

“At first, we joked about who would be done first – but when I realised he was catching up to me, it inspired me to work harder. We even worked through some topics together, helping each other out along the way,” says Sam.

For Jackson, the experience was just as valuable. “Doing my apprenticeship alongside my dad was fun as it definitely added some competition between the two of us and was a large factor that drove me to work harder,” he says. “At first, Dad knew a lot more about the practical side of things and was able to help me understand the basics and give me a head-start at work. As I progressed in my apprenticeship, I was able to assist him in navigating and defining what his submissions should look like.”

Jackson also credits employer Mike Lee and BCITO Training Advisor Julian Zawada for encouraging him to keep on top of submissions and giving him a large scope of work to grow his skills.

For Sam, an apprenticeship that let him work at his own pace suited his style of learning perfectly.

“I preferred to physically complete every task and properly understand it before submitting my work. That hands-on approach gave me confidence and a sense of achievement,” he says.

Julian Zawada says: “Sam is an asset to the industry, and it has been a pleasure to join him on his apprenticeship journey. It is exciting to see Sam complete his journey with his son too.”

In the end, it was a close finish. “Although we graduated on the same night, I got qualified a few months before Dad. I’m proud of both of us but it will be forever something we laugh about,” says Jackson.

Now fully qualified, Sam loves that no two days are the same, working with Dion on small to medium renovations. He is quick to recommend the trades to others, whether they’re young people considering their options or adults thinking about a career change like he did.

“For parents, I’d emphasise that an apprenticeship is a tertiary qualification and you get paid to complete it. As for older adults, I’d say having a good boss is key, and you need to keep moving because the work can be tough on the body. Practical skills help a lot too.”

Looking ahead, Sam would love to use his new skills to buy and do up a house. “I want to keep learning because you can never know it all.” For more information on how to become an apprentice, visit the BCITO website.