17 Feb Nurturing talent: A look inside our fit-out apprenticeship programme
We’ve always believed that apprenticeships are about more than just gaining a qualification – they’re the start of a long career in the fit-out industry. That’s why our apprenticeships are designed to give aspiring cabinet makers and fit-out professionals with all the tools, experience and encouragement they need to kick off their careers right.
Meet a couple of our Datum fit-out apprentices
Take Charlie, a 2024 graduate of our apprenticeship programme who is now fully qualified and working independently in our factory. Straight out of high school in 2021, Charlie didn’t know exactly where he saw his career going but he was drawn to the trades. A family connection introduced him to one of Datum’s supervisors, and after a bit of work experience in our workshop, we offered him a starting position in cabinetry and joinery.
“I thought it would be a lot more intimidating than it was,” Charlie shares. “Instead, everyone was really nice. The environment was great right from the start.” That warm welcome set the tone for an experience that gave him a wide range of skills, confidence in his approach as a trades specialist, and a true sense of camaraderie on the team.
Josh, one of our talented current apprentices, had a different journey that brought him to cabinet making. After starting a building career, Josh realised that being outside in the baking sun all day wasn’t going to work for him long-term. He jumped into a new challenge by joining Datum in May 2022. “I just dove in,” he says. “One of the nice things is doing lots of different projects. Every day is always different, so there’s plenty of diversity.” A quick learner with a drive to explore new skills, Josh is quickly working his way through his apprenticeship and feeling great about his transition into the cabinetry world.
Hands-on experience from day one
Like most trades apprenticeships, the only way to really learn and get better is by getting your hands a little dirty. Right from the start, our apprentices add value to the team by picking up some of the more menial tasks like sanding, sweeping, and even loading the dishwasher. We find that this sets them up as core members of the team and makes them useful from the moment they get there as opposed to standing around doing nothing.
However, they also get to work directly alongside experienced cabinetmakers, learning everything from how our technology and machines work to advanced crafting techniques. “You shadow a qualified tradesman helping out with whatever they need,” Charlie explains. “Over time, you start taking on more responsibilities and really seeing all the different parts of the process.”
Around the 18 month point, we usually try to bring another apprentice in to take over the more menial tasks – a beautiful milestone where our more experienced apprentice can feel good about seeing how their skills have grown.
Unlike some programmes that specialise in just one area, Datum’s apprentices take on projects that span the shopfitting industry – kitchens, retail stores, community buildings, and more. “At Datum, we really do everything. That range of experience is really valuable, and it definitely keeps it interesting,” says Josh.
What really sets Datum apart though is the team. “The community is awesome,” says Charlie. “Everyone is here to support each other.” Icing on the cake has been the epic team bonding outings. Charlie recalls one in particular – where the whole factory went over to Waiheke Island and broke into teams for an ‘Amazing Race’ style challenge across the island. Having these fun days helps balance the high demands of a busy workshop and contributes to a strong sense of collaboration across the team.
The future of the fit-out industry
As Charlie explains, finishing an apprenticeship doesn’t mean you stop learning. “Once you begin working as a fully qualified tradesman, you actually learn even more. There’s no more hand-holding – you’re thrown into projects and tasks and expected to work independently.” Charlie sees this challenge as a great way to improve even further and grow towards more and more complex projects.
Having now trained up many apprentices, we are so proud of the energy and dedication that they bring to the team. We know that by investing in their growth and learning, we’re not just ensuring a skilled workforce for the future – but also fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and teamwork. Apprentices like Charlie and Josh remind us why we do what we do: to fit-out quality interiors and create an awesome team.