Gateway is a really cool programme, it has helped me decide my career direction, the credits I have gained through BCITO count towards NCEA Level 2; I have gained an apprenticeship and I am really looking forward to getting started.

Before starting Gateway I had heard that it was a really cool programme, I had some ideas but wasn’t really sure which career direction I would take. After investigating careers in baking, plastering and painting it wasn’t hard to confirm that I wanted to experience more in the painting and decorating industry. I saw an article in the news about women in the industry and was really keen to have my placement with Ranger Specialist Coatings. I registered with BCITO just before Covid 19 lockdown and was able to start the theory part of the Gateway Programme by distance which gave me a head start. I started my 1 day per week work experience with Ranger’s in Term 2 to do the practical on the job learning which I really enjoyed. Some of the tasks I have done at work include painting the exterior of a new bakery, prepping and finishing up touches, sanding, scraping, concrete priming, covering over plastering chips to make sure the surface is smooth, roof painting and much more.

I chose to continue my work experience throughout the school holidays and have now been offered an apprenticeship; I finished school early in Term 3 to start full time work. The BCITO Training Adviser assessed my unit standards at school and the credits count towards NCEA which has helped me gain Level 2. The programme has given me a really good idea of what it will be like to do an apprenticeship. The apprenticeship qualification will take 3 years and includes block courses, on the job learning and reading to learn; I have already been booked in for a wallpapering course and can’t wait to get started.