Scholarships and training opportunities a continued focus for Eastern Bay Energy Trust

Former Whakatane High School student and scholarship recipient Isaac Abbot-Martin. Photo by James Stanbridge.

Former Whakatane High School student Isaac Abbot-Martin says returning to the University of Canterbury, with a large portion of his course fees covered, feels like a weight lifted off his shoulders.

Abbot-Martin, who is in his third year of a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) degree is one of seven Eastern Bay students who have gained scholarships from the Eastern Bay Energy Trust to pursue tertiary education leading to careers in the energy industry in 2018.

Together with David Klein Ovink, Abbot-Martin secured holiday work with the Horizon Group, and spent recent weeks at the company’s Whakatane headquarters, clocking up valuable placement hours – a requirement of their degree studies.

Klein Ovink says he thoroughly enjoyed his time with Horizon, during which he was working with a team helping to implement a new asset management system.  He also got out and about to undertake some field work. “I gained a great insight into the way the network is managed.  It opened my eyes to the range of jobs available and I’d be interested to work locally when I complete my studies.”

He says the three-years of support he has received toward his University of Canterbury course fees has allowed a ‘full focus’ on study.

Amongst the other students to receive scholarships in 2018, four are attending courses at Waikato Institute of Technology and Toi Ohomai in Rotorua.

Eastern Bay Energy Trust Chairman, Don Lewell says the Trust is committed to ensuring a sustained flow of suitably skilled people who are excited about a career in the energy industry.

“We’ve budgeted over $100,000 in the last two financial years to cover the scholarship and apprenticeship avenues, as well as our very popular Taster Course,” Mr Lewell adds.

Last year’s Taster Course proved a fast-track into the workforce for another former Whakatane High School student, Ben Wensor, who is ‘loving every minute’ as a Trainee Line Mechanic with Horizon Networks.

“I love that the job is really hands-on and we can be in a different part of the Eastern Bay every day working on planned maintenance or responding to faults.  I wouldn’t be here without the Taster Course – that was massive.”

Horizon Training Manager Frank Skinner says Wensor joined four other trainee line mechanics who secured positions after participating in previous Taster Courses.  He says the trainees can complete their qualifications in two to two-and-a-half years, combining the practical on-the-job training with five block courses with an Auckland-based electrical industry training provider.

Information about opportunities in industry education and training can be found at www.ebet.org.nz