This
trust was set up in 2005 by Certified Builders due to a need to ensure
our apprentices are getting the necessary support to complete their
training and get trade qualified. Which benefits themselves, their
family, the building industry and the NZ community.
It is our aim to walk with them during their journey and put a hand out to them if needed. We
offer hardship grants which are available for apprentices who may be
going through a difficult period, and struggling to make ends meet. The
grants vary between petrol vouchers for travel and accommodation grants
and meal assistance during their block course duration. We do assist
with fees that are overdue to ensure their training continues while in
their hardship situation. We
do suggest that apprentices can pay it back by donating money to the
AST when they are in a better position in the future, so other
apprentices can continue to have access to these funds and benefit. AST is also a charitable trust, so you can make donations to the AST anytime. We
have great support from the Certified Builders Regional Committees with
many events pledging donations for the AST. The AST has a board of
trustees and an Executive Director.
AST Mission Statement – “To
promote and assist the training, skills, experience and general
advancement of and education of apprentices, trainees, students and
other persons in all aspects of carpentry and trades within the
building industry;
To
promote activities intended to raise funds for the training, skills,
experience and general advancement of and education of apprentices,
trainees, students and other persons in all aspects of carpentry and
trades within the building industry;
To
finance in whole or partially and on terms and conditions as it sees
fit the undertaking of training by apprentices in furtherance of the
objectives of the trust.
To
establish and provide scholarship funds and grants for apprentices
achieving to a high level and/or demonstrating leadership within the
carpentry and trades and building industry.”
For more information on the
AST please contact Sally Blackler on sally@certified.co.nz
