UCOL BLOG

Employment opportunities in the Manawatu are already opening up for graduates of UCOL’s new Diploma in Construction.

UCOL’s Executive Dean of Trades and Technology Kelly Gay says UCOL consulted with the construction industry before deciding to introduce the programme, from February next year. “Without exception, employers were enthusiastic, saying they need these graduates.”

The one year programme includes training in Quantity Surveying, Management and Architectural Technician skills. Graduates can expect employment as building merchants and suppliers, building subcontractors, construction managers for residential and commercial properties, building inspectors, and in property management, insurance, and interior design or drafting.

Architect Brian Elliott, from design group Stapleton Elliott, says the new qualification will provide graduates who are greatly needed in the construction industry. “Until now industry technicians have been few and far between in the Manawatu. That includes management, quantity surveying and architectural technicians. There are vacancies waiting to be filled by these graduates.” Read More: “Jobs waiting for UCOL Construction graduates”…

Manawatu’s new $10m state-of-the-art trades building will be open as planned on 12 March for UCOL trades students.

Local building company McMillan and Lockwood have pulled out all the stops to make sure students enrolled in UCOL’s Trades programmes this year start their studies in their new facilities in Princess Street.  The Trades building will be open for business on 12 March, with students spending their first day learning about and exploring their new environment.

Members of the public and regional industry representatives will also be invited to view the new facilities – the region’s largest trades training centre – later in March.

The new building covers 5,315 square metres, with shared space and enough room for students to build several houses. It contains the very latest industry-fit equipment and allows UCOL teaching staff to combine traditional skills, hands-on project-based learning with new teaching technology, including phones, I-Pads, YouTube and video. Read More: “Trades Building Open for Business”…