Over 290 students from 13 secondary schools and other education providers in the Western Bay of Plenty had the chance to visit the Takitimu North Link project in July.

The visit set out to inspire rangatahi into jobs and careers in construction and infrastructure – getting a close up look at a major construction site in action.

The event was held in conjunction with Fulton Hogan, HEB Construction, Beca, Stevenson, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA), BBO, Connexis, Toi-ohomai, MITO, BCITO, and EarnLearn.

It included job opportunities for school leavers, information about on the job training and tertiary options.

“I learnt a lot of new things and had a fun day. I’ve got an idea of the tradie life and future opportunities,” said Hohepa a student from Tauranga Boys’ College.

“I’d be keen to do something hands on – it’s good to stay active for your physical and mental wellbeing.”

Students had the opportunity to speak to many teams working on the Road of National Significance project, who shared their experiences working in the industry, including their own career pathways.

Areas included operating trucks and other heavy machinery, traffic management, kaitiaki and Māori partnerships, construction, engineering, ecology, law, accounting and finance and project management.

Students saw one of the most impressive areas of site at Minden Gully, and had a chance to view the working lab, climb into a 30-tonne moxy truck and other big machinery, as well as learn about the huge variety of roles involved in a project of this scale.

“We enjoyed all the hands-on stuff like the digger, the walkie talkie game, and the traffic management team,” said Paige, a student from Te Puke High School.

“I’d like to be a civil engineer, but it’s been interesting to see how many people are needed to build a road and the different behind the scenes jobs needed like office admin.”

Fun was had on the day, with a communication game with blindfolds and radios, some fierce competition to set up a mock traffic management site in the shortest possible time, the opportunity to dig in some dirt with the archaeology team and a bridge building competition using ice block sticks.

NZTA staff were able to share their Emerging Professionals programme with students, while also providing some information about how to get their driving licence and heavy vehicle licence, this being an important aspect to working in the infrastructure sector.