| 9 T T Kim Newth Seasoned apprentice takes top spot Pacific Steel’s Michael Vitale taking out the Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year title at New Zealand’s inaugural Minister for Manufacturing Awards. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT NZ & Pacific Steel Steel manufacturing’s role in driving prosperity and success in Aotearoa was highlighted at New Zealand’s inaugural Minister for Manufacturing Awards in May, with Pacific Steel’s Michael Vitale taking out the Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year title, and New Zealand Steel being an award finalist for Excellence in Process Innovation. New Zealand Steel, and Pacific Steel, both part of the international BlueScope stable, have long played a significant part in shaping New Zealand’s economy. New Zealand Steel – the country’s sole producer of flat rolled steel products – operates the Glenbrook steel mill and pioneered the use of locally sourced ironsand. Pacific Steel has been serving local market needs for more than 60 years as the country’s only local manufacturer of wire rod, reinforcing bar and coil products. Mike’s success at the Minister for Manufacturing Awards follows his double victory at New Zealand Steel’s 2024 New Zealand and Pacific Island awards, at which he was named Mechanical Apprentice of the Year and overall Apprentice of the Year. “We’re very proud of Mike,” says Oliver Pullein, operations manager for Pacific Steel. “What makes it all the more special is that Mike has worked for our business now for 15 years, all across the mill. He’s driven fork hoists at the front end of the process, he’s worked in the main control pulpit and on the floor of our manufacturing plant, and he’s run the back end of the mill in the finished good processing area as a production team leader.” Mike came from a mechanical background when he started at Pacific Steel in 2009. Having moved through various operational, team leader and workshop roles through the years, he says he was ready to step back into the mechanical side when he approached Oliver in 2022 seeking permission to start a mechanical engineering apprenticeship through Competenz at Pacific Steel. Going back to the classroom in his 40s must have been daunting, but Mike says his beautiful wife and three teenage girls were a big motivator for him to show them the benefits of study and hard work. At the awards, Mike was praised for remarkable dedication in completing theory components early, and for his impressive focus on health and safety. Training involved a mix of block courses and online learning. “Being a South Aucklander, from Otara, I thought it was a good idea to speak to the kids, as many are from that area as well – it was an awesome experience,” “Luckily, there’s no shortage of practical work here, and that made it much easier to complete unit requirements,” he says. Mike’s success has encouraged Pacific Steel to support further in-house apprenticeships. Another employee has since started an inhouse mechanical apprenticeship, too, and is doing very well. “For us, it’s about getting the right person, rather than simply filling a position because we have it,” says Oliver. William Malloy at Competenz, and Eddie Green at Pacific Steel – who has been with the company for over 46 years – have both been very helpful to Mike. He and Eddie recently spoke to senior students at Tangaroa College about Mike’s apprenticeship journey and career pathways. “Being a South Aucklander, from Otara, I thought it was a good idea to speak to the kids, as many are from that area as well – it was an awesome experience,” says Mike. After he completes his apprenticeship later this year, Mike plans to do further advanced trade training in management and leadership with Pacific Steel. Fabrication. Construction. Maintenance. One partner. Every solution delivered with precision, safety, and pride. P: 09 438 7145 E: sales@culham.co.nz www.culham.co.nz Proud to be shaping the future with New Zealand Steel, delivering the new electric arc furnace as part of Project Electron, building a cleaner, stronger tomorrow.
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