A trade training initiative in the Far North / Te Hiku o te Ika is giving job opportunities to local youth while supporting communities by installing brand new water  tanks.

Tupu Plumbing is a Kaitaia-based training and employment programme set up by Te Aupōuri Iwi Development Trust, Te Hiku Iwi Development Trust (THIDT),  and Crown partners, to improve water supply for Far North residents by installing new water tanks, in line with the Puna Wai Ora – Te Hiku Drought Relief  programme.

Industry training providers EarnLearn – Specialist Trades, and BCITO have supported the initiative with a Limited Credit Programme of unit standards in  plumbing, drainage and construction so those working on the tank installations are trained in the necessary skills, and have those skills officially recognised.

Tauira or trainees on the tank installation team can transfer their unit standards to a plumbing or construction apprenticeship. Tupu Plumbing site supervisor Rob  Purchase, himself an experienced tradie of more than 40 years, says the programme is changing the lives of both the homeowners receiving the water tanks,  and the young trainees.

“Tupu Plumbing was set up as a programme to take six young guys off the benefit, into employment and towards an apprenticeship in the trades,” Rob says. “It’s about building their work ethic and getting them out to do the job, while also providing water to whanau that don’t have water supply at home or that have a bad  water supply.”

One recipient of a new 30,000 litre water tank, installed by Tupu Plumbing, is Carol Brott. Carol, who lives with three generations of her family in a home at  Awanui near Kaitaia, says her family’s life has been transformed.

“We’ve had tank problems since 2016. It’s that old, it’s got cracks in it. We restrict our water to try and stretch it.” Prior to the new tank being installed the family  often had to buy bottled water for drinking and had to make regular trips to the local laundromat to wash clothes.

“There’s 12 of us living here. The biggest problem has been the clothes washing. We spend a lot at the wash house. Not having to do that will save us a lot of  money, and make sure the kids have clean clothes to wear.” With a larger, more reliable source of fresh water, Carol says the other upside will be uninterrupted  showers. “There’s no more ‘can we have a shower mum?’ And no more me going ‘hurry up!’.”

EarnLearn Executive Director Kaarin Gaukrodger says the Northland training and tank installation is a clear example of the benefits of including industry training  opportunities for local young people in community projects.

“The foresight of the partnership to develop an opportunity to train locals toward a trades career as part of this initiative significantly increases the overall  community outcomes. As well as delivering a much-needed stable water supply to locals, this programme gives the trainees practical skills and experience, and  is a step toward a skilled trade, so it benefits each individual as well as their whānau and community.

“Seeing the impact their training and skills can have on people is a powerful way to for learners to stay motivated in training and connect them to their whānau  and hapū.”