Latest news with #apprentice
RNZ News
a day ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Building apprentices go head to head in Hamilton skills challenge
Jack Mathis has home advantage for the Hamilton event. Photo: Supplied Waikato's Jack Mathis was encouraged by his sister-in-law to enter the New Zealand Certified Builders Apprentice Challenge and, after winning the regional competition, he now has the home advantage at the national finals in Hamilton on Saturday. Nineteen apprentices from across the country are attending the event, after first winning their regional heats in April. The competition is New Zealand's biggest hands-on apprentice competition, but Mathis said he entered mostly for a bit of fun. "It's good to see how I compete, compared to other apprentices from across New Zealand, and see everyone's quality of work." During the regional competition, Mathis had to use detailed plans, given to him in advance, to build a planter box that was judged on workmanship, accuracy, assembly and time management. This weekend, the pressure goes up a notch, with a panel interview, a presentation and a practical skills test that will only be revealed on the day, but Mathis said the practical work didn't scare him. "Standing in front of people is going to be a hard thing, for the presentation, but I'm looking forward to meeting all the other apprentices from around New Zealand." Growing up, Mathis spent weekends and school holidays working as a labourer for his brother, who is a builder. "I always thought I'd be on a dairy farm, but it just became so easy to get a trade under my belt before doing anything," he said. "I'm quite enjoying the trade at the moment, so I don't think I'll be leaving anytime soon." Mathis still works for his brother, apprenticing at his South Waikato building company. The national champion will be announced on Saturday evening. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Malay Mail
21-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
High-voltage mission: Young recruits power UK's green energy shift as thousands needed for grid overhaul
EAKRING (UK), May 22 — Perched 45 metres high, young apprentice electricians replace a connection atop a pylon. In the UK, National Grid recruitment is at full power as its electricity network adapts for renewables. As new production sites multiply, particularly for wind and solar power, the privately-run company that owns the high-voltage pylons and cables in England and Wales said it is implementing 'the largest overhaul of the electricity grid in generations'. 'It's quite fun and exciting really,' Becky Hodgson, an overhead lines trainee, enthused at the prospect of 'connecting' the UK's future energy needs. At the National Grid training centre in Eakring, a village in central England, 25-year-old Hodgson unwinds rope from a winch at the foot of a large pylon. To the sound of an engine and pulleys, a suspended walkway rises towards her classmates. National Grid Overhead Line Apprentice Becky Hodgson speaks at the National Grid Training centre in Eakring, central England April 28. — AFP pic Hailing from near Newcastle in northeast England, a region famous for its coal mining heritage, Hodgson is delighted to be part of the nation's new energy chapter. 'It's ticking all the boxes for me,' said the apprentice whose grandfather mined coal, which up until recently was used to fire British power stations. 'From a young age I've always been really into climbing, and adventurous pursuits,' Hodgson, sporting a fluorescent orange vest and blue hard hat, told AFP. 'Massive challenge' With the UK one of the most advanced countries in Europe in terms of renewable energy, National Grid plans to invest £35 billion (US$47 billion) by 2031 to transform its electricity network. The installation of new pylons, often favoured over underground or submarine cables owing to their lower cost, is causing friction among local residents across the country. Faced with growing demand for electricity and the need to source energy where it is produced, 'we need more wires', insisted Zac Richardson, chief engineer at National Grid. National Grid Overhead Line Apprentices train on a electricity pylon at the National Grid training centre in Eakring, central England April 28. — AFP pic The company has seen the number of training days surge 75 per cent over three years, driven largely by growth in staff. 'Will we be able to train enough? It's a massive challenge,' said Richardson. 'There's advanced investment going in, not just here, but with our key contractors as well, to ensure that the workforce is ready.' National Grid estimates that 55,000 new hires will be needed in the coming years, across various trades, both within its own ranks and among its partners and subcontractors. Explosion A siren suddenly sounds in a substation, close to large machines bristling with lightning arresters. Then an explosion — signalling a test of a pyrotechnic circuit breaker, a device that can quickly cut a high-voltage circuit. 'You have to cover your ears automatically... when you work in a substation,' laughed Lara Eken, a graduate substation engineer. The 23-year-old said she has come to learn about the workings of 'a really in-depth technical system', whose number is multiplying with the expansion of the network. Cables extending from the large pylon are lost in the distance — but they lead nowhere. For safety reasons, the training facilities are disconnected from the network. A power line apprenticeship lasts three years. 'Everything crunches around the safety aspect first, so it's baby steps,' training instructor Tom Norris, easily identifiable by his red helmet, told AFP. 'You get them just climbing the tower first' before tackling more complicated tasks like hoisting equipment, he added. Norris said finding recruits is not a problem. 'We're taking on more apprentices than we ever have. We've always got lots of interest on the recruitment day so we're picking from lots and lots of good candidates.' — AFP
The Sun
19-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Legendary jockey Ryan Moore's son joins him in the riding ranks – after signing for his dad's biggest rival
LEGENDARY jockey Ryan Moore's son has joined him in the riding ranks - after signing for his dad's biggest rival. Dad-of-four Moore rode work alongside eldest son Toby on the famous Newmarket Rowley Mile last Friday, according to the Racing Post. 3 3 3 Toby, who is expected to take his first professional rides as an apprentice later this season, finished upsides his iconic dad on three-year-old gelding Olympus Point, a horse trained by Charlie Appleby. Southampton boy Appleby is No1 trainer for Godolphin, the racing empire controlled by Sheikh Mohammed, the billionaire ruler of Dubai. They are the biggest rival to Coolmore, the outfit who have all their horses with Aidan O'Brien, for whom Moore is No1 rider. Young Moore, 16, who posed alongside his dad after he won last year's Derby on City Of Troy, has risen through the ranks of the pony racing circuit. He has previously competed in the Shetland Pony Grand National and won showjumping titles. But it is on the back of a ferocious thoroughbred hurdling down the track at speeds of over 40mph that his future lies. And he could do a heck of a lot worse than learning from his old man. Moore is widely said to be the best jockey on the planet and just a fortnight ago had punters in awe with this incredible ride at Chester. A globe-trotting superstar who's won everything there is to win, Moore is the perfect role model, professional and person to ask for advice. Together, he and O'Brien have mopped up the Classic trials this season. But it's arch rival Appleby who's won the first two of the big five. He claimed the 2000 and 1000 Guineas at Newmarket with Ruling Court and Desert Flower respectively. The latter is strong 5-2 favourite for next month's Epsom Oaks, while Appleby confirmed Ruling Court will head for the Derby, where he is a general 7-2 chance. And, speaking of Toby's promise as a jockey and future plans, Appleby said: "Toby has joined us this season and he's just getting some more experience of riding thoroughbreds. "He's not ready for his first ride just yet, but riding work on the Rowley Mile will help him get a feel of what it's like and hopefully bring him on." Eager trainers could look to make use of young Moore's claim as an apprentice. And while it's unlikely he'd be taking his dad on any time soon, it's far from unusual from fathers and their boys to compete in the same races. Earlier this month at Chester, Warren Fentiman got the better of old man Duran in a 5f clash at their May Festival. Warren, a 5lb claimer, finished second on Rosenpur, scooping over £10,000 for connections. While veteran dad Duran finished just over a length behind in fourth, netting just shy of £3,000. David and John Egan have ridden against each other, while Saffie Osborne excels in the saddle for trainer dad Jamie. And it extends to the jumps too. A on 33-1 Nick Rockett last month was his best day ever on the racecourse. Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who:
News.com.au
14-05-2025
- Health
- News.com.au
NT construction worker cops angle grinder to face
A 71â€�yearâ€�old Darwin tradie has been left with a gnarly scar along his throat, face and chest after a 9â€�inch angle grinder kicked up and into his face during renovation works on an industrial shed. The incident occurred in early 2025 in the North Darwin suburb of Winnellie when the worker was standing on a step-ladder cutting steel wall frames above his head. He had previously been using a 5â€�inch angle grinder to make the initial cuts but switched to the larger grinder in order to finish the job quicker. Angle grinder incidents are no stranger to the Territory - in mid-2023 four separate angle grinder incidents injuring NT workers occurred within a five-week period. One such incident involved a young apprentice boilermaker using an angle grinder to cut plates off a bumper bar when the grinder kicked back into his hand. The apprentice required surgery for over five hours but fortunately was successful in saving his thumb. In a statement addressing the 71-year-old's incident, NTWorkSafe said one key risk factor was the decision to use a 9-inch (230 mm) angle grinder — a tool with significantly more power, torque and weight than its smaller counterparts. This decision, it claims, made it harder to control, especially in the unstable position the worker was in. NTWorkSafe also found standing on a ladder and working above shoulder height drastically reduced his ability to manage the grinder safely. Investigators further found that the metal wall frame may have sagged due to previous cuts, potentially pinching the cutting disc. Electrical hazards were also found to have potentially compounded the problem. The grinder had been plugged into a modified extension lead, which had a 15-amp socket connected to a 10-amp lead. This setup allowed the lead to become overloaded. Testing by NT WorkSafe suggested the faulty plug may have caused fluctuations in the electrical current, making the grinder unexpectedly stop and start during use. This inconsistency could have also played a role in the kick-back. In 2022-2023, 2337 construction injury claims were processed in NT making up 11 per cent of total claims in the Territory. That figure represents 372 weeks of total lost work time amounting to almost $5 million in claims costs. NTWorkSafe data also found being hit by moving objects accounted for 26.2 per cent of contruction injuries over the same time period, over half of which (54.4 per cent) were wounds, lacerations, amputations and internal organ damage. NT WorkSafe urged employers and workers to reassess the use of 9-inch grinders on worksites in light of the incident. Several companies across the Northern Territory and Australia have voluntarily banned the tool following a high number of serious injuries and deaths. 'Ensure you have proper footing and balance when using a grinder, and you do not overreach. If you are cutting something at height, use an appropriate work platform that allows you to maintain your footing and balance. 'If you are cutting items that are upright or hanging, use props or clamps to prevent the item from sagging and pinching the cutting blade. 'Do not modify the electrical components of power tools or associated leads unless you are qualified. Ensure that the ampere capacity of any electrical leads matches the power requirements of the power tool.'
News.com.au
13-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Apprentice jockey Dale Cole's inspiring return to the saddle
Trainer Danny Williams admits to shedding a tear or two after his apprentice jockey Dale Cole punched home a winning double at Goulburn last Thursday. And for a mighty good reason. While on this occasion there were tears of joy flowing it was a vastly different story at the same venue 20 months earlier, when Cole was involved in a trackwork mishap that left the then 23-year-old with horrific injuries. 'We had a couple of clients attend the stables that wanted to see their young horses work so Dale and I took two of them out for a trot and canter,' Williams reflected. 'Things were going well and the horse Dale was on was as quiet as a mouse but she resented having another horse beside her and bucked. 'The second time she bucked the saddle shifted and Dale came over the front and she dragged him at three-quarter pace for around 300m until his leg finally came out of the irons. 'With the way it happened she galloped on him a couple of times as well.' Such was the magnitude of Cole's injuries, which included five broken ribs, a punctured lung, snapped femur and broken pelvis, medical experts had to relieve the pressure from his lungs on site before he could be flown to hospital. 'His broken leg was pulled right out of the socket … it's still hard to talk about now,' Williams said. 'When we first called the ambulance they said it could be 60-90 minutes but thankfully a few things happened and they were there within about 20 minutes. 'The whole experience, just feeling so helpless and not being able to do more for him at the time was very traumatic, still is now. 'He's a great kid from a terrific family and very resilient. When he first came to me he hadn't been on the back of a horse. I sent him away to get some basic training and have helped him along from there. 'I'm extremely proud of what he's achieved in such a short amount of time. But he's not the finished product and he knows that.' After spending three weeks in hospital where he underwent a number of surgeries, Cole was sent home to continue his rehabilitation and put himself back together, both mentally and physically. For those around him a return to the saddle seemed forlorn but not for Cole who had a steely resolve from the outset. 'The plan was to always find my way back,' Cole said. 'I couldn't walk for the first four months and then had to get around with a walking stick for about another six months after that. 'With everything that happened I was pretty incapacitated for a while but I've really tried to put that behind me now and just focus on what's next, not what's been. 'I've had to tick a lot of boxes with the doctors along the way. It's been a long road and there were days where I got a bit down about it all but never really had the thought of giving up.' For Cole, that hard work and resilience paid off in the most memorable fashion last Thursday when in front of friends and family he steered home Let's Go Brandon for Goulburn trainer Wayne Hudd and Chemtrail to victory for his master, Danny Williams. 'It was a bit overwhelming to be honest – pretty emotional,' Cole said. 'Danny has been so good for me and to be able to win for him after everything, yeh it was pretty special. 'Before the accident I had a lot of goals but for now I'm just taking it all in my stride and worrying about working hard and the next ride.' For Cole, that's expected to be at Albury on Friday, where he'll be back in the saddle looking to make up for more lost time.
