KEY POINTS:
TRAINING PLACE
What: Level 4
ETITO (09) 525 2590, info@etito.co.nz, www.etito.co.nz.
Entry requirements: Open entry but ETITO recommend a minimum of 12 credits each in maths, science and English.
Training costs: Mainly subsidised by ETITO. Remaining costs are negotiated between employer and apprentice.
Hourly rates: First-year apprentice
$13, second year $15, third year $18. Newly qualified $25. With overtime, experienced rewinders can earn over $80,000 per year.
The repair of motors that run everything from super yacht winches to rural water pumps and ship generators requires an expertise that is in demand internationally.
Apprentices train in motor rewinding and repair through the ETITO apprenticeship in electrical engineering. Apprentices learn through working alongside experienced tradespeople. They are then assessed by a workplace assessor once they feel competent about specific tasks listed in their workplace logbook.
They also do off-job training through night school, correspondence, day release or block courses, depending on the apprentice's situation and available providers. Most do assignments and block courses.
In their first year apprentices complete the Level 2 National Certificate in Electrical Engineering which provides foundation skills and knowledge for several electrotechnology trades. They then move into the Level 4 National Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Electrician for Registration).
Training includes practical skills of rewinding and repairing rotating machinery and related apparatus, knowledge of theory, regulations and practical skills to prepare for registration as an electrical service technician, ability to write simple reports, and basic employment rights and responsibilities. There are only 19 motor rewinding apprentices across New Zealand.
THE APPRENTICE Chico Williams, 19
Electrical rewinding apprentice at City Rewinds
Just completed first year of four-year apprenticeship
People often don't understand what I do because when they think of motors, they think of car motors which run on petrol or diesel, but we work on broken electrical motors.
Rewinding is stripping out the old wire, fitting new coils (wires), varnishing and baking the coils, then whacking it back together, putting bearings and end shields on. We also might have to change the design to add more speed or torque (horse power).
I really like the job because it is different and has a mix of indoor and outdoor work. We do a lot of marine work and we're often in places like the Naval Base.
I go one day a fortnight to Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT) and also to night class on Mondays. There is a lot of maths and physics which I find hard, but I think I'm finding it harder this first year because the course is designed more for electrical apprenticeships than rewinding. It is like I'm learning two trades.
It is really good when I'm doing something in the workshop and realise I've figured out how to do it by myself and used the right tools. You do need to be patient, practical and have good hand-eye co-ordination.
Boats are interesting. They are built from the inside out so working on something like a big generator in the boat can be really tricky because we have to be so careful lifting it out. It takes heaps of thinking and problem solving. It is like doing a big puzzle.
I was doing plastering part-time with my brother when one of Gordon's (boss) mates told me Gordon was after an apprentice. I put it off to start with as I was hoping to become a panel beater, because I like cars.
But I really like this work. The guys are fun and the boss looks after us. He provides safety equipment, including overalls and boots, and has paid for my tools, which he doesn't have to do. There is always heaps of work so I'm never bored. The day goes really fast.
THE EMPLOYER
Gordon Jones
Boss of City Rewinds
We try and have an apprentice in training all the time. I wanted Chico because he had work experience, was practical, paid attention and was safety-conscious.
If an apprentice is any good, they more than pay their way after six months. Chico did from four months.
Apprentices need a sound knowledge of maths and physics. Attending school widens Chico's knowledge and gets him learning the calculations.
I like the amount of safety stuff MIT cover, including first aid.
In the early stages they also go over work rights and employment law, which is good.
We don't do some of the electrical stuff he needs, so at some point I'll do a swap with an electrical company so he can do trenching; things like that.
Once he is out of his time, Chico could work anywhere around the world as an electrical fitter.
He could make huge money in Australia in the mines and power stations.
Our trade is full of older people. Of my eight staff, there are four of us over 50; the others are in their 30s with the exception of Chico.
I believe he is currently the youngest rewinder apprentice in the industry.
* angelamc@powerlink.co.nz
