Building the future
Dunedin builder Hayden Davies has his sights set firmly on the future as Jennian’s newest franchisee.
He’s not new to the company though – Hayden’s history with Jennian Homes Otago goes back to 2003, when he fell into the building industry and discovered his vocation.
“It was a happy accident. My brother-in-law needed a labourer on site and I needed a change of career. I was lucky enough to find not just a job, but what I wanted to do with my life.”
Jennian saw the young builder through his apprenticeship and mentored and supported his career ambitions. “I was given a lot more responsibility over the years and enjoyed it, going from learning my trade to looking after a site, then two sites… it took off from there.
“I hope that I can still have a presence on site because it’s what I really enjoy,” Hayden says. “I’ll always enjoy throwing a hammer around – I was on a roof just the other day putting trusses up – but I want to take a step up. Jennian is giving me the tools I need to do that.”
And this former apprentice is determined to ‘pay it back’. Hayden has signed two apprentices up to the business to help the next generation of builders find their feet in the industry, too.
“We have a responsibility to foster career opportunities in the building and construction sector,” he says. “It’s vital to invest in the workforce today, so tomorrow we have skilled tradespeople with the knowledge and expertise to build the high quality homes New Zealanders want to live in.”
