Source: Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology
Lily Florence knew she wanted to work with her hands and wanted to learn skills to help her renovate old houses.
The skills she’s learning as part of her building apprenticeship are setting her on a path to success and her employer says she’s shaping up to be one of the best.
She knew a classroom environment wasn’t for her, so Lily chose to study a building apprenticeship through Toi Ohomai Te Pūkenga, while working at Wren Building Limited.
“I was working over in Australia building ropes courses and flying foxes and really enjoyed doing hands-on work, so when I moved home I knew I still wanted to be building things.”
Lily’s loving learning while she earns.
“Up until now I haven’t done any tertiary education, and I do think it’s important to learn new things and get a qualification, both for personal development and to be able to show employers that you are competent. Having found something that I really enjoy doing, it’s even better to be able to learn and work at the same time through an apprenticeship.”
Lily started her apprenticeship in August and aims to be finished by the end of 2025.
“The support so far has been amazing. Toi Ohomai has great facilities and tutors who really want you to do well. And the Wrens are awesome, you honestly couldn’t ask for better employers.
“As well, all the people I work on-site with are super helpful, being new to the trade I ask a lot of questions and they’re always willing to answer them or help me if I don’t understand.”
Being a woman in a male-dominated industry Lily says she feels like it is more normal for women tradies to be on building sites.
“I don’t feel like I get treated any different on building sites than any of the boys.”
Wren Building Limited owner Simon Wren has trained more than 40 apprentices over the years and says Lily is a stand-out.
“Her commitment, work ethic and all-round attitude are second to none. She is a very good listener and always asks pertinent questions without asking questions that she can answer herself.
“I have seen a huge improvement in her knowledge and her confidence seems to be growing each week. I cannot emphasise enough how impressed I am with her approach to her apprenticeship and what a valued member of our team she is.”
Simon says the apprenticeship programme is a great way to get started in a trades career and the support from Toi Ohomai is great.
“Our tutor Malcolm Rea is fantastic. I look forward to our catch-ups and our team is very lucky to have his support and advice.”
Simon says those wanting a career in the trades need to have a keen attitude, a willingness to learn and a “good, clean set of ears”.
“A life in the trades can take you anywhere you want but you will only get out of it what you put into it. It is a long day on the tools but you need to prioritise being at work on time and giving 100 per cent for the whole time you are at work.
“I am a huge advocate of the carpentry apprenticeship and the building industry in general, as I have worked all over the world using my trade and learnt multiple different building techniques whilst doing so. I cannot imagine a time or place where you won’t be able to find work once you have your trade qualification behind you.
“My main piece of advice is that if you are fortunate enough to be offered an apprenticeship, grab it with both hands and put all of your effort into learning as much as you can from your employer and other tradespeople around you. You will get out of it whatever you put into it.”
As for Lily, she loves her job and hopes to remain working there for several years.
“I really enjoy my job and love living in the eastern bay. It’s also my dream to buy an older house and do it up myself with the skills I learn through my apprenticeship.”
She agrees with Simon’s advice.
“Take every opportunity you can to try things, you don’t really know if you’ll love it until you try it. And if you find something you enjoy then work hard and absolutely do an apprenticeship.”
