An electrical pre-trade course at Etco has been a springboard into avionics for Christchurch 21-year-old Gary Mendoza.
After studying at Etco last year, Gary was snapped up for Air New Zealand’s highly selective Aeronautical Engineering Level 3, a prerequisite for an apprenticeship in aircraft maintenance engineering. Gary says, competition is stiff, with around 150 applicants for just 32 spots in Christchurch, but he believes the skills he gained at Etco were pivotal to his selection success.
“Pre-trades gave me a solid stepping stone to make the jump into aviation engineering,” he says. “Not only did it give me the confidence to apply for the Air New Zealand programme, but it equipped me with the right skills and knowledge for them to say ‘yes’!”
Etco lays strong foundations for those setting their sights on apprenticeships
and electrical careers, with hands-on training, highly experienced tutors, and strong industry ties. For Gary, it was a winning combination.
“When I left school, I knew I wanted to do some kind of engineering, but I wasn’t sure what. I’d heard Etco was a good place to start, and I liked the concept of working with technology and electricity, so I gave it a try. I loved it!
“My tutor was so knowledgeable and he made going to school really fun. Etco’s way of teaching made everything click for me – they don’t just explain the technical stuff, but they also show you how it’s applied in the real world. That’s when my love of engineering really started to grow.”
Etco tutor William Dyman was impressed with Gary from the get-go.
“His willingness to learn and commitment to the course really stood out. He had 100 percent attendance, always got his assessments done on time, and I was able to provide him with additional tasks in and around wiring diagrams, which he made full use of,” says William.
Now Gary is on the fast-track to an avionics career, and he couldn’t be happier.
“I am so excited about the future now,” adds Gary. “My dream is to work on the big planes or maybe somewhere like Rocket Lab. It’s pretty cool – and it all started at Etco. My journey proves that the right training and mindset can open doors you never expected.”
But Gary is not the only pre-trades graduate that has stepped outside the box. Etco Campus Delivery Manager – Christchurch, Nick Burrow, says the programme is a launchpad to a multitude of electrical opportunities.
“We’ve had pre-traders enter commercial and industrial roles in large companies like Fonterra, a large number specialise in residential housing, and others move into renewable energy areas such as solar, wind and hydro. Etco learners have also gone into data centres, to accommodate the world’s growing appetite for A.I. and data storage,” says Nick.
Whichever pathway they choose, the future is bright.
“New Zealand electricians are in hot demand anywhere in the world, so once they finish an apprenticeship the world is their oyster.”
