Hands-On Learning: How a Building Programme is Transforming Lives in Opotiki

For many students in Opotiki, traditional schooling has not been the best fit. The Eastern Bay Trades Academy, a unique building programme, is offering a new path for those who struggle in conventional classrooms. This initiative, which combines practical construction work with academic learning, is not only helping students gain vital skills but also dramatically improving their school attendance and future prospects.

Founded by John Gilmour and Steve Mahy, the academy operates with the support of the Bay of Plenty Futures Academy. Each year, around 15 students are selected to participate in this hands-on learning experience, where they build relocatable homes on the grounds of Opotiki College. The programme gives these students the opportunity to earn their NCEA level 3 qualification while gaining real-world construction experience.

Students like Te Raiwa Maki have found a renewed sense of purpose through the programme. “School was boring,” she said. “Building was something I had no idea about, and I wanted to learn how to use the tools. I’ve learned so much, and I didn’t think I could learn this much in a year.”

Another student, Oaariki Waititi, who recently moved back to the area, shared how the programme has opened up new opportunities. “It’s good here, better than sitting in the classroom. Next year I’ll be going for an apprenticeship,” he said.

The programme has faced challenges, particularly in the current building industry, where demand from Kāinga Ora has decreased. To adapt, the academy has shifted to selling some of the homes privately, allowing the programme to continue and ensuring students remain engaged in meaningful work.

Gilmour, who has a background in both construction and education, emphasized the transformative effect the programme has on students. “A lot of them are disengaged in school, attending only 30 to 40 percent of classes. After a year with us, their attendance jumps to 80 to 90 percent. It speaks a thousand words in just giving kids something they are engaged in and want to come to school for,” he said.

The academy is also unique in its approach. Unlike other school-based building programmes, the Eastern Bay Trades Academy operates as a private company, giving it greater flexibility in managing payroll and employment. This model has allowed the programme to be more responsive to the needs of the students and the local building industry.

Steve Mahy, who has a teaching background, noted the maturity students gain through the programme. “They might be rat bags in the classroom, but because they are out here doing something they like a bit more, you can see changes and their actions prove it. They just grow up and are ready to go into the world,” he said.

The success of the programme has not gone unnoticed. Gilmour and Mahy hope to expand the model to other parts of the country, providing more students with the opportunity to learn a trade while completing their academic requirements.

For now, the academy continues to make a significant impact in Opotiki, proving that hands-on, practical learning can be a powerful tool in transforming the lives of students who have struggled in traditional school environments.