Business Central December 2021

76 | Making their name in the Bay The East Coast Plumbing & Gas team has grown over the years. NZ Plumbers Awards: East Coast Plumbing & Gas CONTRACTING H ailing from England Sean Patrick wast- ed no time gaining his New Zealand gas fitting and plumbing qualifications so he could establish his own company. Initially, working in Taranaki, with his wife’s family based on the other coast in Hawkes Bay, the decision was made to move to Hastings. “At the start it was quite hard to get estab- lished. Hawke’s Bay is quite a tough market if you are not known, so we joined Master Plumbers and started trading with some of their suppliers and that helped get us growing,” Sean explains. Today, Sean is part of a team of nine work- ing in the business, including another certified plumber and drainlayer, two trades- man, two apprentices and a team of three in the office. His apprentices are becoming qualified in all three disciplines; gasfitting, plumbing and drainage. Sean’s intentions are to expand the business by employing one or two more tradesmen, and possibly a manager. “Finding a manager would give me a bit more time to build the business further.” From their base in Hastings, the team go an- ywhere in the region, covering all of Hawke’s Bay up to Mahia and down to Dannevirke. Sean’s passion for engaging and training-up new people into the industry was recognised at this year’s Master Plumbers conference when he won the Master Plumbers Trainer of the Year award. This award recognises an individual Master Plumbers member, who has gone beyond the call of duty to help educate and support people entering the industry. The winner will have demonstrated true commitment to strengthening the industry through apprentice training and will show an understanding of the efforts required to build knowledge and standards within the sector. T Sue Russell “To this day I still don’t know who nominat- ed me for this award, so it was a total surprise when my name was called out. It’s an honour to be recognised by your peers in this way.” The Master Plumbers Assn says that the winner must have demonstrated true commit- ment to strengthening the industry through apprentice training and will also show an understanding of the efforts required to build knowledge and standards within the sector. “I do like to bring apprentices through the business. Even those of us who are certified we all do ongoing training, usually half a day a month. The industry is constantly evolves so we have to constantly train.” Sean says the annual conference is very worthwhile bringing to a collective forum new technologies and procedures. It’s a great op- portunity to network and engage with fellow professionals. “Actually one of the best parts of belonging is that if I haven’t had experience with some- thing new, there will be someone local who also belongs who has.” Asked whether legislation and standards governing the sector are sufficiently robust Sean says he feels they are. “When we go out on our jobs we take photographs of our work. I read the job notes and follow up. Master Plumbers that I know all follow this procedure.” Sean uses a job management and pricing quotation system but depending on the job it is not always possible to give a firm quote, so the most accurate estimate is given. Work in the Bay is generally very busy, but Sean says when things are quieter it gives him and the team time to enjoy their region. “This is a great place to live and work in and its important for us all, given the nature and importance of our work, that we retain a good work/life balance.” Talk to us today, the feature profile experts Phone: 03 983 5500 waterfordpress.co.nz PROFILE YOUR PROJECT... Abasin canmake or break abathroom – start by considering who will use the space, and how? Call into your local branch for more tips on creating the perfect bathroom. PlumbingWorldHome – lifehappens here. PlumbingWorldHastings Cnr Warren & Albert Streets Ph 06 872 6930 plumbingworld.co.nz PROUD TO SUPPORT EASTCOASTPLUMBING&GAS