ISS is proud to offer a Cadetship Programme, in partnership with MSD and Vertical Horizonz. This is a great opportunity for those interested in pursuing a career in the heavy construction industry to gain hands-on, real-world experience, as well as having the potential to gain permanent employment at the end of the Cadetship. ISS offers a great team environment, with lots of opportunities to grow and develop. The Cadetship is open to NZ Citizens and permanent residents aged 18-24, and no prior experience or qualifications are necessary. If this sounds up your alley, register your interest in the form below!
"It’s a real thrill to be making your own way in life. It was hard work to start with – it’s still hard work – but one of the greatest things about working hard and overcoming challenges is it makes you feel really good about yourself. It gives you a strong mindset and discipline and that’s what it’s given me."
- Siope
Former ISS Cadet, current Apprentice Scaffolder
After school I didn’t really have a job lined up, so I did a carpentry apprenticeship at Wintec for a year. Then I connected with Kaute Pasifika, who help students look for jobs and get their driver’s license, that sort of thing. At that point, I didn’t have my own bank account or anything so they helped me get all set up.
They also helped find me the job at ISS, where I started out on a three-month Cadetship. Throughout those three months you learn all the basics of scaffolding, which I hadn’t really heard about before. I’d seen it around but I didn’t know much about it until I got this job.
After I got my license I’d saved enough money to buy my first car. I paid cash and that was such a great feeling. One of the greatest things about working hard and overcoming challenges is it makes you feel really good about yourself. It gives you a strong mindset and discipline.
There were 25 people on the cadetship and three of us made it all the way through and were offered an apprenticeship. It’s great, because we’ve ended up being good friends.
Depending on the job, everyone arrives at the yard at about 7am and gets their stuff prepared to go out to a job. If it’s a bigger job we might have been preparing in the days before, and we might start earlier if we need to travel.
Then we get into the work trucks and travel to the job.
Our Leading Hand will assign us different jobs to do for the day. We could be on an industrial site or a residential site, but I’ve mostly worked on factories.
The job is pretty physical so you can be tired at the end of the day. It’s made me a lot fitter for my sport. I play rugby league for the Hornets. So it helps keep me fit! I also still go to the gym after work.
I’m actually terrified of heights, but overcoming that is a good experience. The more you do it the more comfortable you get. The feeling of the thrill makes it fun.
I wish my mindset had been a bit better then. Back then I would say something but not complete it, but now I’ve learned it’s better to show it than to speak it. I’d say actually listen to advice when you’re young. If you don’t know what you want to do it’s important to just give something a try and see if you like it. If you don’t like something, don’t give up straight away either because it might start to grow on you. I wasn’t that keen here to start with because it was hard, but now I’ve seen the rewards of my hard work it’s much better. I feel a lot fitter and I am paid well. I love coming to work and seeing if I can do better than the day before.
I’m really enjoying the big jobs because it keeps us busy and is more fun. We also get to travel around a bit, which is good because I’m normally the sort of person who stays at home. We also get paid well, and that increases quite quickly. Most of all, I like it that I have friends here and we all support each other.
I’m really looking forward to welcoming the new cadets so I can encourage them. I know what it’s like when you’re first starting out so I will be able to share with them and help them.
Another thing I really like is the company’s Kaupapa. Living out the Kaupapa has really helped me at work and in my every day life.🛠️
