Skills Trades Training celebrates Pre-Trades graduates

Skills Trades Training recently celebrated the graduation of 116 Pre-Trades Level 3 Electrical learners, recognising the commitment and capability required to progress into skilled trades careers.

Skills Group Head of Māori and Pasifika Engagement, Jarrad McKay, says graduates represented a broad cross-section of Aotearoa New Zealand, including strong achievement from Māori and Pasifika learners alongside peers from a wide range of backgrounds.

“Collectively, the cohort reflects the future of the electrical workforce - skilled, motivated, and industry-ready,” says McKay.

The graduation ceremony was held at the Holiday Inn, Māngere, and brought together more than 300 attendees, including graduates, whānau, tutors, and industry supporters.

Alongside the standard 12-month programme, the graduation also recognised learners from six-month intensive cohorts, designed to meet learner needs through a shorter but more concentrated training model.

“Completing a Pre-Trades qualification represents an important milestone, providing learners with practical skills, workplace readiness, and clear pathways into apprenticeships and further training across the trades sector.”

Among the graduating cohort, Paige Neil and Robert Beswick were recognised with Top Student awards, reflecting both academic excellence and commitment to learning.

Paige Neil, a recipient of The Southern Initiative (TSI) Māori and Pasifika Trades Training (MPTT) Scholarship, achieved Top Student for her cohort.

“Her success highlights the role of targeted support programmes in enabling learners to progress confidently into trades careers while maintaining high academic standards.”

Paige, who is of Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa, and Te Aupōuri descent, says she had been teaching since leaving school and was looking for a change in direction.

“I wanted to learn a trade, and electrical was the most interesting to me. The scholarship and associated benefits really helped while I was training. The Skills Trades Training team were also very supportive - regularly checking in to see how I was doing.”

As a woman, Paige says she was able to demonstrate she was every bit as capable in what has traditionally been considered a male-dominated role.

Robert Beswick, of Tongan descent, was also awarded Top Student within his cohort. He was attending the course on an Auckland Māori Pasifika Trades Training (MPTT) scholarship. His achievement reflects strong technical capability, consistency, and leadership throughout the programme.

“Their success sits alongside that of many other high-performing graduates and demonstrates how focused training, learner support, and individual effort combine to produce strong outcomes across the cohort.”

Award recipients

Cohort Top Students and Most Improved – Pre-Trades Level 3 Electrical

Top Students

• Vivahn Singh
• Paige Neil
• Brooklyn Prosser-Smith
• Mingzu Hu
• Robert Beswick

Most Improved

• Manav Sharma
• Tomas Somerville
• Manuel Tuaere
• Wesleigh Loeve
• Jessica Jones

“Skills Trades Training congratulates all graduates on reaching this important milestone and acknowledges the role of whānau, tutors, and industry partners in supporting their success.”

“Graduates now move forward equipped with the skills, confidence, and pathways needed to contribute to New Zealand’s future trades workforce.”