Business Rural North Autumn 2021

| 49 RURAL SERVICES » CPC Fencing Certification way forward for fencing Kelly Deeks F CNZ president Phil Cornelius’ contracting busi- ness, CPC Fencing, is doing its part to increase the profile of the industry, even bringing in a staff member’s partner for a day on the line to experience what a fencer does on a daily basis. Like every New Zealand fencing contractor, CPC Fencing faces a constant struggle to find and retain staff. Phil thinks raising the profile of the industry is one way to turn this around. “Collectively, across the industry, everyone has to promote fencing as a viable employment opportu- nity,” he says. “To let people know there is the training and the qualifications to go with it, and they can make a good career out of it. We’ve got to look after our own industry.” Phil says until now, a fencer has always been just a fencer, and never really seen as a tradesperson because they’re not certified in their craft. But he believes that can be turned around, just like it has in other industries. “Before Certified Builders became Certified Builders, they were just builders. Any Joe Bloggs could pick up a hammer and build a house, but now no one is going to compromise when it comes to having a foundation poured. “Like the forestry industry, and as fencers, we’re involved in that industry quite a lot. The forestry industry has moved on from where it was 20 years ago. They’re not just loggers now, they’re loggers FCNZ President and CPC Fencing director Phil Corneilius, enjoys some family time with boys Beau and Cobey running the dogs (top) and with wife Donna, and sons Cuatro (13), Cobey (4) and Beau (6) at Cape Reinga. NORTHLAND WIDE - With Tractors and Forestry rigged diggers available, all with rammers Cell: 027 274 4188 A/H: 09 433 2644 E: cpc.fencing@yahoo.co.nz CONTACT PHIL  Lifestyle Blocks  Farm/Forestry roading and track maintenace  Forestry Fencing  All Farm Fencing  Subdivisional Fencing  Hill Country Fencing  Stock Yard Design & Build  Post Harvest clean up/fencing  Waterway Fencing  Riparian with a purpose and a meaning because they’ve got lots of training and lots of certifications, and young people want to get into that industry now because it’s recognised as a relatively good industry to be in. They can make a good living and they can use modern machinery, and it’s the same with the fenc- ing industry. “Our new FCNZ board members Debbie, Donna, Mike, Shane, Shaun, and Stephen all think the same thing. They are passionate about the whole industry, they’re getting our trade days going and getting out there and promoting the industry.” Phil says everyone involved in the fencing industry needs to get behind the drive and promote certification. “To get young people seeing fencing as a viable industry, you’ve got to be able to offer them something. They want the letters behind their names.” And now is a prime time to do it. With the Gov- ernment funding tertiary training and the New Zealand Certificate in Fencing levels three, four, and five now available at NorthTec, the qualifica- tions are there for the taking for anyone with a bit of motivation and enthusiasm for the outdoors. “The more people who get on board with the train- ing and certification process, the more encouraging it is for the Government and ITOs to fund this type of training, to keep it rolling along,” Phil says. Enrolment numbers are looking good for this year, with seven courses already filled. “That is really encouraging. With 10 to 12 people on each course, by the end of the year another 70 or 80 people will have their level three.”