Young scaffolder reaches new heights

Kent Hamilton is NZ’s ‘Scaffolding Student of the Year’.
Hamilton, an apprentice with Opportunity The Training Organisation and working at NZ Steel in Auckland, received the award in Wellington recently, during the annual Scaffolding and Rigging NZ (SARNZ) conference dinner.
“Kent completed the Certificate in Scaffolding (Elementary) in 2009 and was one of the outstanding students involved in the new intermediate scaffolding qualification,” says Tai Poutini Polytechnic’s Head of Department – Scaffolding, Vadim Spice.
As well as the recognition an award like this brings, Hamilton receives a scholarship for Tai Poutini Polytechnic’s Diploma in Scaffolding Management; a gold-plated scaffolding spanner and a selection of top-of-the-line tools and safety gear donated by SARNZ members; a prize package of around $5,000.
Tai Poutini Polytechnic runs a National Certificate in Scaffolding and is recognised by the industry as the preferred national trainer. “Unlike most industries, where a formal qualification is an extra, a trade certificate is mandatory for those working in the scaffolding industry, under the Health & Safety Employment Act. It’s a small, highly-specialised industry which places great emphasis on safety and professionalism.”
The programme is run on a regular basis at five Tai Poutini Polytechnic campuses – Christchurch, Dunedin, Auckland, Wellington and Tauranga, but if demand and conditions are met, the polytechnic will send trainers to smaller centres such as Napier and New Plymouth. “We will go to them.”
Tai Poutini Polytechnic works closely with Scaffolding and Rigging NZ, an industry body concerned with development, training, representation and general professionalism within the industry. Its membership consists of major scaffolding and rigging contractors, as well as smaller companies and individuals.