Graduates find jobs in diverse drilling industry   19 Jan 2015

Tai Poutini Polytechnic’s drilling training programme is celebrating another successful year, with 100% of 2014 graduates snapped up by employers across the lucrative New Zealand industry.

TPP Programme Leader Michele Cox says it’s not too late for job-seekers to enrol in the next
three-and-a-half-month, West Coast-based training programme starting on 9 February.

“No one else offers drilling training in New Zealand and we have a close relationship with industry. Drilling companies are lining up to take on TPP graduates at the end of each intake.

“Our graduates are walking off the programme and straight into good jobs,” she says.

The President of the New Zealand Drillers’ Federation, McMillan Drilling Group General Manager North Steve Faulkner, agrees that anyone interested in a career in drilling should head for Tai Poutini Polytechnic.

“The industry offers great financial and lifestyle opportunities and there are jobs out there. If someone comes to me looking to start out in drilling I send them to TPP. Basically, if they’ve passed the TPP course I don’t need to ask many more questions.

“The training that TPP offers saves us a lot of time and effort which means we can get them on the ground and working almost immediately.”

McMillan Drilling Group’s three divisions make up New Zealand’s largest drilling operation. Steve says: “It’s a fantastic industry to work in – you could be up in a helicopter for one job, then working underground the next. You can earn a lot of money and stay way ahead of your peers.”

Graduate Andrew Nukanuka says life has changed since deciding to enrol last year. He spent the last three months working with a crew of drillers and scientists drilling the Alpine Fault and has a bright future ahead.

“I was working as a hospital orderly in Palmerston North and would probably still be doing the same thing if it wasn’t for TPP. Now I’m following up a couple of job opportunities here in New Zealand and looking at heading overseas with the work experience I have under my belt.

“I’d recommend the programme to anyone that thinks the drilling industry looks like a good career choice. They jam a lot of learning into the course and I’m still learning today. It’s only just about drilling either: you earn your forklilft, wheels, tracks and rollers licence too so it opens doors into all kinds of work

The TPP Certificate in Drilling - Non-Hydrocarbon (Driller’s Assistant) is based on the South Island’s West Coast but attracts students from around the country. It involves 14 weeks of practical study and a 10-week work placement. Since 2011, every graduate of the programme has secured full-time work.

ENDS

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