Steven Blair has moved from fashion to fabrication, locks to blocks and styling to welding. The 31-year-old is now an apprentice heavy fabricator with Fitzroy Engineering in New Plymouth, but he started his working life as a hairdresser at age 15. He did his hairdressing training at WITT and on the job.
In July last year, he swapped blow dryer for blow torch and did the Level 3 Certificate in Welding at WITT.
Steven has high hopes in his new career, which began with a great start at WITT. “My tutor, Ian McLachlan, was fantastic down in the welding course and he helped me get my job.”
During the course, Steven did his work placement at Fitzroy Engineering. “I really wanted to get in with them because they are the top in the industry. If you go for the best, you get the best training and the best discipline.”
In February, he started his apprenticeship with the New Plymouth company, which has built an international reputation for heavy fabrication primarily in the oil & gas and energy industries.That suits Steven, who has always liked “making big stuff”. “I always pulled things to pieces and then tried to put them back together. I’ve always liked big toys.”
Now his aim is to be the best he can be in heavy fabrication. “It’s hard slog to get to that point, but it’s worth it in the end.”