The Christchurch Interschool Electrical Competition was the last of six events delivered nationally by WorldSkills New Zealand, best known for its regional and national WorldSkills competitions promoting vocational skills.
This year the organisation extended its reach into secondary schools, with the support of Ministry of Education funding to better connect industry with school students.
Five Christchurch schools, Shirley Boys’ High School, Middleton Grange School, Riccarton High School, Rolleston College, and Christchurch Boys’ High School entered teams from Year 11-13 to take part in dynamic and fun and inventive modules based on simulations from the electrical sector.
Students were tasked to complete a variety of “real world” tasks including wiring up a miniature house, quickly but safely driving a “work van” (trolley cart) to collect gear from the depot, crawling across a mock ceiling cavity and working under floor spaces, complete with spiders and cobwebs. The competitors also got to learn from St John Community Education Staff and to show off their First Aid skills during the first aid module. Alongside the competition was guidance from volunteers with many years of industry experience. Some also brought the additional atmosphere and friendly banter as mock site foremen.
Laura McLeod, Gateway Coordinator Shirley Boys’ High School says the event was “incredibly well run and well organised”. “It is exactly what schools have been hoping for, and an overwhelmingly positive experience.”
For Laura, a large part of the success was down to the industry presence and having the event run alongside the Master Electricians Apprentice Challenge which gave school students a view of
apprentices at work and a chance to speak with employers.
Carl Rankin, WorldSkills New Zealand GM, is really pleased with the results.
“This our first year running skill competitions with secondary schools and we are thrilled and encouraged by the take-up by the schools.”
“It has been a fun and successful way for students to get a taste of vocational careers in the electrical industry. These students have gained a greater understanding of the industry. Some will choose to pursue careers and others may decide not to. Either way, they are more informed and aware of employment opportunities. We would love to see the Electrical Interschool Competition firmly on the agenda for next year and years to come.”
A total of 17 schools and 23 teams took part in the day-long competitions which ran in Hamilton, Napier, Timaru, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Invercargill.
“We couldn’t have run these events without the amazing support of the Ministry of Education, St John Community Education Staff, Mechanical Support Solutions, First Flex, ATT and ETCO and many local employers. Our special thanks goes to Matt Southorn and the team at Independent Line Services for their tremendous support, generosity and hospitality as hosts of the Christchurch Interschool Electrical Competition.”
“Thanks also to all the students and congratulations to our winners.”
Master Electricians’ Apprentice Challenge
The Master Electricians’ Apprentice of the Year competition also ran at 14 regional locations throughout New Zealand. 180 apprentices competed in two divisions, vying for the titles of Top Individual Electrical Apprentice and Top Commercial and Domestic Electrical Apprentices. The winners of this competition will be announced at the Master Electricians Excellence Awards
on 14 October 2022.
