Mahi Ora Work Experience Student - Caleb

“I’m attracted to engineering because it makes the world go round.” says 17-year-old student, Caleb Phillips, and he wants to be at the centre of it.

For that reason, he has his future vocation clearly planned out as a civil engineer.

Caleb Phillips, 17 years, Lynfield College

Caleb participated in Kāinga Ora’s Construction Plus Mahi Ora Work Experience programme with Piritahi Ōwairaka during the April school holidays. His objective in participating in the programme was to get a good view of life as an engineer on a construction site. Caleb embraced the experience with the enthusiasm of an eager trainee.  

Caleb says the subjects he’s studying at school - physics, geography and calculus - will help him become a successful engineer. His experience at the Ōwairaka site has also exposed him to new aspects of construction:  

“I’ve learnt heaps of processes around the work site, especially health and safety measures we put in place, a lot I didn’t know before and unnoticed by the public. There are processes that go on and all the small things that work together towards the big goal. There’s a lot.” - Caleb

Caleb now has a better understanding of the Piritahi development project at Ōwairaka.

“I’ve come to understand what we’re doing, why we’re doing it, and what it will lead to.” - Caleb

He knows the big picture is a neighbourhood of new, modern houses and green open spaces for a healthy community. Caleb said that the two-week experience is a major plus for his future career.  

“This work experience opportunity has given me a bigger picture toward my career, 100%.” - Caleb

During the last two days of his work experience, Caleb was given the opportunity to work side-by-side with a new graduate engineer on-site which was a big highlight:

“I got to shadow him (a new graduate engineer) for two days, learning and watching what he does. We worked with plans and designs, checking the work that was being done. I enjoyed that immensely.” - Caleb

After finishing his high school career at the end of this year, Caleb plans to study at the University of Auckland in their Engineering School. As well as preparing for a future in engineering, Caleb leads a busy life. He works part-time at Rebel Sport, competes regularly in karate where he’s earned a black belt, and he leads his school’s Squash team in the inter-school competition. Caleb is hoping to take up any work experience on offer in the remaining school holidays of his final year at school.  

Piritahi Talent Lead, Mitesh Dhanji, presented the students with their graduation certificates on the final day of the programme:

“It’s been great to have all the students as part of the programme. We want to see the industry grow and offer young people the opportunity to choose a career in construction with Piritahi.” shares Mitesh.  

The Construction Plus Mahi Ora Work Experience programme is a Kāinga Ora initiative run with the Piritahi Alliance. It involves secondary school students in Gateway or Trade academies working over the school holidays on large-scale projects around Auckland to gain valuable experience in the civil infrastructure industry.  

Mahi Ora Work Experience Student - Caleb

“I’m attracted to engineering because it makes the world go round.” says 17-year-old student, Caleb Phillips, and he wants to be at the centre of it.

For that reason, he has his future vocation clearly planned out as a civil engineer.

Caleb Phillips, 17 years, Lynfield College

Caleb participated in Kāinga Ora’s Construction Plus Mahi Ora Work Experience programme with Piritahi Ōwairaka during the April school holidays. His objective in participating in the programme was to get a good view of life as an engineer on a construction site. Caleb embraced the experience with the enthusiasm of an eager trainee.  

Caleb says the subjects he’s studying at school - physics, geography and calculus - will help him become a successful engineer. His experience at the Ōwairaka site has also exposed him to new aspects of construction:  

“I’ve learnt heaps of processes around the work site, especially health and safety measures we put in place, a lot I didn’t know before and unnoticed by the public. There are processes that go on and all the small things that work together towards the big goal. There’s a lot.” - Caleb

Caleb now has a better understanding of the Piritahi development project at Ōwairaka.

“I’ve come to understand what we’re doing, why we’re doing it, and what it will lead to.” - Caleb

He knows the big picture is a neighbourhood of new, modern houses and green open spaces for a healthy community. Caleb said that the two-week experience is a major plus for his future career.  

“This work experience opportunity has given me a bigger picture toward my career, 100%.” - Caleb

During the last two days of his work experience, Caleb was given the opportunity to work side-by-side with a new graduate engineer on-site which was a big highlight:

“I got to shadow him (a new graduate engineer) for two days, learning and watching what he does. We worked with plans and designs, checking the work that was being done. I enjoyed that immensely.” - Caleb

After finishing his high school career at the end of this year, Caleb plans to study at the University of Auckland in their Engineering School. As well as preparing for a future in engineering, Caleb leads a busy life. He works part-time at Rebel Sport, competes regularly in karate where he’s earned a black belt, and he leads his school’s Squash team in the inter-school competition. Caleb is hoping to take up any work experience on offer in the remaining school holidays of his final year at school.  

Piritahi Talent Lead, Mitesh Dhanji, presented the students with their graduation certificates on the final day of the programme:

“It’s been great to have all the students as part of the programme. We want to see the industry grow and offer young people the opportunity to choose a career in construction with Piritahi.” shares Mitesh.  

The Construction Plus Mahi Ora Work Experience programme is a Kāinga Ora initiative run with the Piritahi Alliance. It involves secondary school students in Gateway or Trade academies working over the school holidays on large-scale projects around Auckland to gain valuable experience in the civil infrastructure industry.  

Mahi Ora Work Experience Student - Caleb

“I’m attracted to engineering because it makes the world go round.” says 17-year-old student, Caleb Phillips, and he wants to be at the centre of it.

For that reason, he has his future vocation clearly planned out as a civil engineer.

Caleb Phillips, 17 years, Lynfield College

Caleb participated in Kāinga Ora’s Construction Plus Mahi Ora Work Experience programme with Piritahi Ōwairaka during the April school holidays. His objective in participating in the programme was to get a good view of life as an engineer on a construction site. Caleb embraced the experience with the enthusiasm of an eager trainee.  

Caleb says the subjects he’s studying at school - physics, geography and calculus - will help him become a successful engineer. His experience at the Ōwairaka site has also exposed him to new aspects of construction:  

“I’ve learnt heaps of processes around the work site, especially health and safety measures we put in place, a lot I didn’t know before and unnoticed by the public. There are processes that go on and all the small things that work together towards the big goal. There’s a lot.” - Caleb

Caleb now has a better understanding of the Piritahi development project at Ōwairaka.

“I’ve come to understand what we’re doing, why we’re doing it, and what it will lead to.” - Caleb

He knows the big picture is a neighbourhood of new, modern houses and green open spaces for a healthy community. Caleb said that the two-week experience is a major plus for his future career.  

“This work experience opportunity has given me a bigger picture toward my career, 100%.” - Caleb

During the last two days of his work experience, Caleb was given the opportunity to work side-by-side with a new graduate engineer on-site which was a big highlight:

“I got to shadow him (a new graduate engineer) for two days, learning and watching what he does. We worked with plans and designs, checking the work that was being done. I enjoyed that immensely.” - Caleb

After finishing his high school career at the end of this year, Caleb plans to study at the University of Auckland in their Engineering School. As well as preparing for a future in engineering, Caleb leads a busy life. He works part-time at Rebel Sport, competes regularly in karate where he’s earned a black belt, and he leads his school’s Squash team in the inter-school competition. Caleb is hoping to take up any work experience on offer in the remaining school holidays of his final year at school.  

Piritahi Talent Lead, Mitesh Dhanji, presented the students with their graduation certificates on the final day of the programme:

“It’s been great to have all the students as part of the programme. We want to see the industry grow and offer young people the opportunity to choose a career in construction with Piritahi.” shares Mitesh.  

The Construction Plus Mahi Ora Work Experience programme is a Kāinga Ora initiative run with the Piritahi Alliance. It involves secondary school students in Gateway or Trade academies working over the school holidays on large-scale projects around Auckland to gain valuable experience in the civil infrastructure industry.