The BCITO unit standards I do in Gateway count towards an apprenticeship qualification.

At the end of last year I met with Mrs Mehrtens and my mum to talk about becoming a part of the gateway programme. I was very interested in looking at building as my gateway placement.

The careers I researched were building , plumbing and bricklaying. I went out for taster days at Breen Plumbing, Todd Mudie brick and block team and Dimension Building. The one I enjoyed the most was building because it was a lot more hands on and heaps of things to be done.

I met with Mrs Mehrtens and was signed up to a building placement. Every Wednesday I go to Dimension Building. The tasks I do throughout the day include getting the tools ready for everyone to use. Recently I helped with prepping the sides of a driveway for concrete by putting rebar (reinforcing bar) and plywood strips in to strengthen the concrete so that it doesn't crack. I do a variety of different jobs each time I go to my work placement like putting gib up and putting up pink bats all around the house. I am registered with BCITO who oversee gateway students and apprentices in the building industry. The practical unit standards I do get signed off in the workplace and the theory work gets done in the classroom. Richard the BCITO assessor comes into school and visits me in the workplace to check and sign off my work. My plan for when I leave school is to obtain a building apprenticeship. If the opportunity became available to get an apprenticeship this year I would be very keen to enter the workforce.