TRAVEL WITH YOUR TRADE

writer PETER WHITE // photographer DEAN NORRIE

JORDAN SPAIN spent many years chasing his dream of becoming an international footballer with the All Whites.

But after playing for New Zealand from under-17 to under-23 level, and just missing out on a place in the Olympic Games squad, he decided it was time to find a long-term career.

“I decided I wanted more than just a job. I wanted a career where you can progress up to being more than just a worker,” says Jordan.

Now the 23-year-old is in his first year of a four-year apprenticeship with Christchurch-based multinational company Komatsu. He will qualify with a New Zealand Certificate in Heavy Automotive Engineering (Level 4).

Jordan is loving the variety of the work, including fixing some of the biggest machinery – like diggers, dump trucks, graders and bulldozers.

“I couldn’t be happier. It is a lot more technical than what you might think on the outside. We have massive 30-tonne machines that are now running on hybrid engines, which is pretty cool – that technical side is what I probably enjoy the most.

“There is a great bunch of people here at Komatsu. From day one, it was pretty easy to just step in and get into work as everyone is quite nurturing. You are never afraid to ask questions. I just like the environment that we have here.

“It is always constant learning, which is good, and you don’t get bored.”

Being organised is the biggest asset to have as an apprentice. Jordan says you have to balance your work during the day with the after-hours work.

“That is an extra few hours a week. MITO is where we get our credits from for the work we do here, like you would with NCEA. We also have theory assessments to complete with them. MITO are good to work with and check in with you quite regularly.

“On top of that, there is the company standard, online work we have to do as well, which is quite helpful. It goes into more depth about our machinery specifically, learning about things like our hydraulic systems.

“So keeping on top of everything has been the biggest challenge.”

Jordan says Komatsu offers so much to help you become a qualified tradesperson.

“We have already been to Australia this year for training and they will send us off again. They just put so much time and effort into us. When you are qualified, there are more opportunities within the company to explore.”

Jordan grew up in Christchurch and attended Cashmere High School until Year 12. In Year 13, he got a football scholarship to St Kentigern College in

Auckland. There he studied English, Physics, Statistics, Media Design and Architectural Design, before chasing his football dream.

He thinks it is a good time for school leavers to consider getting an apprenticeship.

“I look back and think, ‘Why didn’t I do this straight out of high school?’ If you get qualified with a big company like Komatsu, you can travel anywhere around the world.

“The younger you get into it the better.”

■ JORDAN SPAIN IS COMPLETING A FOUR-YEAR APPRENTICESHIP WITH KOMATSU HE WILL QUALIFY WITH A NEW ZEALAND CERTIFICATE IN HEAVY AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING (LEVEL 4)

■ HE STUDIED ENGLISH, PHYSICS, CALCULUS, STATISTICS, MEDIA DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN IN YEAR 13

■ JORDAN RECOMMENDS GETTING QUALIFIED WITH A BIG COMPANY LIKE KOMATSU AND SAYS THERE ARE WORK OPPORTUNITIES OVERSEAS

For more information on the Komatsu apprenticeship programme, visit https://www.komatsu.co.nz/careers/ apprentice-program

For more information on starting an apprenticeship with MITO | Te Pūkenga, visit www.mito.org.nz