The Apprentice Maker: Peter Couchman on building the next generation of electricians

Peter Couchman leads Seven Electrical, one of Wellington's largest employers of electrical apprentices, and one of ETCO and Skills Trades Training's key industry partners. 

He grew up around the trade through his father's electrical business, before taking a longer route himself through Polytechnic, university and a stint in corporate life. Today, he's focused on removing fear from the workplace and retiring the old line that trades are what you settle for if you're "too dumb" for university. 

Every apprentice at Seven Electrical starts with a pre-trade qualification, no exceptions. That's where STT's Electrical Pre-Trade programme comes in. It's the qualification that gets someone in the room. 

Peter doesn't use a psychometric test to pick his apprentices either. He's watching effort, attitude, and whether someone's actually done their homework before the interview even starts. 

"We talk about craftsmanship." 

With Electrical Level 4 apprentice enrolments down nationally, Couchman sees the pre-trade pipeline as one of the industry's strongest assets, and one worth backing through the current downturn. 

It's a good reminder of the impact our graduates go on to have, and the employers who back them every step of the way. 

 Read the full story here: The Apprentice Maker - M2 Magazine