Each year UCOL’s carpentry and joinery students in Palmerston North, Whanganui, Masterton and Levin have the opportunity to build a house as part of their studies. The houses are fully insulated and are built to good standard.

Joy Tufuga began her studies in early 2018 at the UCOL’s campus in Horowhenua, completing her New Zealand Certificate in Construction Trade Skills studies and has thrived.

“We started building a community house in April and have just about finished now. Weatherboard and making frames are my favourite parts of the course.” Joy says.

When asked what her goals for the future are, Joy says “To help my family would be the ultimate goal. I’ll be the first one in my family to work in construction. One day I might go on to train someone else someday and help lead the way.”

Joy likes having an impact on the community and has shown this through her contribution to the house build at UCOL.

With only five days left to go on her course, Joy has already been offered an apprenticeship with a local Horowhenua company, TSP Construction and she is very excited for this opportunity to work in the industry.