Who said an electrotechnology apprenticeship was all about cables and wires?

September 2009

ETITO recently sponsored five apprentices to attend an intensive 21-day Outward Bound course in the Marlborough Sounds.  The apprentices were chosen by their industry associations who believed them to be future industry leaders, and included the winners from this year's ECANZ Challenge.

Designed to develop leadership skills and build the confidence of these already impressive apprentices, the course centred on effective goal-setting and was no walk in the park.  Sleeping in the wild, early morning swims and every day beginning with a timed three kilometre run meant that the apprentices were pushed to their limits!  

The decision to support the initiative is a clear-cut one, according to Paul Hollings, ETITO Industry Training Manager.  "ETITO's role is to build the capabilities of the industry.  These apprentices have been identified as some of the best the industry has and we're confident that the investment we've made in their leadership capabilities will pay-off in future."

Jermaine Underwood has recently returned and was grateful for the opportunity.  "I learned a lot about myself.  I've developed new skills and strengthened the ones I already have.  Now I'm going to try my best to apply these to my life, and to my work." 

According to Darryl Ferencz the course changed his whole outlook.  "I learnt about my core values, leadership skills, how to work with a group and a lot of valuable life skills.  When we ran the half-marathon at the end, I was absolutely exhausted, and I had to push myself mentally.  It's difficult to explain the Outward Bound experience to people since I've been back - the course is much more than just the physical element, it goes a lot deeper."