Nelsons' Peter Crimp is happily promoting the merits of Tai Poutini Polytechnic’s latest programme. In mid January Peter shifted to Greymouth and began a 20 week Non Hydrocarbon Drilling pre-employment programme at Tai Poutini Polytechnic’s Greymouth Campus. After 15 years in the logging industry Peter was ready for a career change, he was looking to learn a new set of skills, training and qualifications which could eventually take him overseas.
When Peter started the programme he found at first that the classroom work was ‘a daunting challenge’. “I thought that coming from a practical industry, and not being at all academic, it was going to be hard. But in reality, it wasn't. Looking back over the past 12 weeks I’m pretty proud of what we’ve all done. My family and friends are all rapt with how far I have come. I’m feeling lucky and privileged, and my future is looking really bright, as it will be for others who do this course”
When asked to name the highlights of the twelve week training at Tai Poutini Polytechnic, Peter replied, “ Learning the fundamentals of welding was awesome, and gaining my Class 2 truck license, and other licenses, such as wheels, tracks and rollers and forklift. Now that I have begun my eight weeks work based training I can see how rewarding this is going to be”.
Tai Poutini Polytechnic established, with the support of the New Zealand Drilling Federation (NZDF) and Extractive Industries Industry Training Organisation (EXITO), the pre employment programme which offers hands on practical training to prepare people for the demands of the drilling industry. The 20 week programme begins with tutor focused learning, covering health and safety, first aid and emergency care, working at heights, drilling rig and small plant maintenance, welding and gas cutting, and gaining various licenses, followed by an eight week placement on drilling rigs somewhere in New Zealand to gain further practical skills and on site experience. This programme is offered three times a year, with the next course beginning the 2nd of August.
At the conclusion of the 20 week programme students will have gained a National Certificate in Drilling – Non-Hydrocarbon (Driller’s Assistant). The career paths open to graduates of this programme include training to become rig operators, drillers, and supervisors of drilling programmes. Many drillers take opportunities to spend time overseas earning huge money, as New Zealand trained drillers are internationally sought after.
For Peter, who has completed his initial training in Greymouth, and beginning his work based training on the largest truck mounted rig in the country, the opportunities seem limitless.
For more information see the details below or visit Tai Poutini's website at www.tppweb.ac.nz
