Wendy’s path to qualification & business growth

Wendy Ramsay recently proudly qualified as a BCITO Floor and Wall Tiler. Not only is Wendy a woman thriving in the trade, she also proves that age is no barrier, earning her qualification in her  50s.

From farming to tiling – a diverse journey

Wendy’s career journey has been anything but ordinary. “I grew up on a beef and sheep farm, mustering sheep on horseback and spending time at  my uncle’s dairy farm—I loved being around animals. My career path has been diverse, from share milking to hairdressing to rental management.

After taking time off for health reasons, I became more involved in my partner’s tiling business. As I regained strength, I started taking on small tasks, gradually working my way up to a full-time  apprentice tiler. Once I started, there was no stopping me—I was determined to complete my qualification.”

Building a business & securing the future

Wendy and her partner have built a highly regarded tiling business in Nelson, specialising in full bathroom renovations from design to completion. “My partner is a qualified carpenter, saw doctor,  and floor and wall tiler, known for delivering high-quality finishes. Our business handles everything except plumbing and electrical work, making us a one-stop shop. I’ve been tiling for eight years,  constantly learning and improving my skills. I love the transformation—turning an old, outdated bathroom into a modern, high-quality space.

Beyond tiling, I manage the office, and we’re always thinking about the future of our business. What happens if one of us can’t work? Would I still be employable without a qualification? Would an  employee respect instructions from someone unqualified? That’s when we decided it was essential for both of us to be qualified.”

Standing out in the industry

“Qualification brings security, credibility, and business growth. Clients trust us more, and I feel confident instructing others. If something were to happen to my partner, I could continue running the  business because I understand the trade. It also reassures our clients that we meet industry standards.

“I love every part of my job—except maybe epoxy grouting! There’s something incredibly satisfying about completing a project and seeing the transformation. Tiling is an indoor, dry, and warm  trade where you can express creativity while delivering high-quality, detailed work. I’d encourage anyone considering a career in the trades to give tiling a go—as long as they take pride in their  work and have an eye for detail.”

“Getting my qualification has been a game-changer for our business. I don’t go around shouting about it but adding that’s to “Qualified Tilers” on our business cards felt great. There aren’t many trade-qualified tilers in Nelson, and since tiling is an expensive, high-stakes process, clients appreciate knowing they’re in expert hands. As a finishing trade, we only get one chance to get it right.  Understanding our clients’ needs is crucial—not just for functionality but also for the aesthetic they envision.”

BCITO Training Advisor Stuart Caulfield praised Wendy’s dedication: “Wendy has been an absolute pleasure to work with. Her determination to complete her qualification has been inspiring. As  part of a family business, she has developed an impressive skill set, making her a standout apprentice. Congratulations on achieving this milestone!” Wendy’s story is a testament to passion,  perseverance, and lifelong learning. She proves that age and gender are no barriers in the trades. BCITO has the resources and support to ensure anyone can have a successful career in the  trades. To learn more, head to bcito.org.nz.

BUILDING BACK BETTER: Why Trades training is vital for economic growth

After a downturn in new building activity in 2023 and 2024, the amount of construction work is showing initial signs of recovery, which is great news for the industry and the economy. This year will  likely continue to be steady with moderate improvement. Looking ahead, Westpac is now forecasting growth at 3% by 2026 and lower interest rates are spurring home building.

A recent study, New Zealand’s Building Construction Sector, revealed the sector is worth $99 billion to New Zealand’s economy. With the Government’s growth agenda, which is largely driven by  construction and infrastructure, we have the potential to increase this even more. Yet achieving this requires a strong pipeline of talent. Having seen a large number of skilled workers cross the  ditch in the past two years, the challenge we’re facing now isn’t one of demand, but of skilled labour supply. High-skilled workforce shortages mean the industry may not be unable to meet  returning demand, let alone cater to future growth. This could not only stifle our immediate economic recovery, but could also hamper growth for years to come.

We’ve been in this situation before. The construction rollercoaster, where building decreases sharply only to quickly ramp up again, is all too familiar. The net result leaves the country short of the  skilled workers we need. Following the Global Financial Crisis, it took seven years for employee numbers in the sector to return to pre-GFC levels. We need to act now to ensure this cycle doesn’t  repeat itself. The solution requires us to look past what’s happening today, and focus on what New Zealand’s needs will be in the future.

That takes a concerted effort by the industry, government and training organisations like BCITO to attract as many people into the trades as possible. Investing in training your staff when you have  the time pays dividends in the long-run. Coming out of the GFC, in many cases it was the firms who had maintained their training regime that sprang into action quickly and benefitted  financially.

As a sector we want to train our people, as well as bringing talent in from overseas. Our construction employers have a long history of formal training. New research from Scarlatti shows 52% of  firms with staff engage in training across BCITO’s 16 industries. That’s a huge commitment by employers to increase capability across the board. Every day, across the country, BCITO staff are  talking to employers and apprentices about their needs, to ensure we’re delivering exactly what they and the industry require – and will require, in future. We are also focusing on the other third of  firms to take up training.

We recognise that employers are keen to pass on their skills, but don’t always feel confident as trainers, especially when learners come from many diverse backgrounds with differing needs. Just  like our learners, we support employers to ensure they’re capable of doing the job well. We have comprehensive resources for employers to support apprentices of all walks of life, including  simple interactive modules, videos and podcasts for time-poor tradies, to create the right space for learning and good communication, and help them understand the challenges new workers have.  We’ve also put together toolkits to support hiring apprentices from diverse backgrounds, including those with disabilities, recognising that the more people we can attract to building and construction, the stronger our industries will be. It takes considerable support from industry and the Government for  employers to take on new apprentices at a time of economic hardship.

The Government’s Apprenticeship Boost scheme is a great example of how this can work, providing employers with monthly payments for their first-year apprentices to recognise the costs  involved in training someone new. This also recognises that having people in work while they learn makes great sense for the economy, supporting our infrastructure while reducing the need for  student loans.

Meanwhile, many have welcomed the Government’s new infrastructure funding and financing tools and land rules to fuel more housing  development, but the risk is not having enough hands to  deliver it. Even more support for trades employers to ramp up training could ensure we have the people we need to build that vision, with apprentices able to learn skills on the job alongside their  bosses.

Finally, it takes more families, educators and friends to encourage people into the trades, letting them know it’s potentially just as rewarding (if not more so) than going into full-time study. Having  the ability to earn while you learn can put apprentices in a strong financial position sooner, and set them up for the rest of their life.

As the industry comes out of the recent recession, we need to deliver growth through improving the skills base of the industry. The most  effective way to do that is focusing on what the industry  needs and delivering that in a timely manner. BCITO is proud of its longstanding record of success through partnering with industry to deliver more skilled staff through apprentice training. At  BCITO, we are building people who are building people.