House projects, some minor delays have created a slowing of the  construction process, the worst of these has been the weather and the insistent rains, however CCS are managing to stay on top with both houses showing progress under the circumstances.
Now the scaffold is in position for both houses work can commence erecting the trusses and purlins for the roof structure. This process is critical to the weather proofing and stablising of the house. Additional bracing added in the roof system serves to strengthen the lower frame work, and finally once the roof cladding is fixed to the roof frame, temporary braces supporting the framed walls can be removed. 
The risk of injury is elevated during this process, awareness is essential when working on scaffolds and any roof structure.
The H&S routine through our 'Toolbox meetings' each day highlights the importance of 'Site Safety'.  To date CCS have contributed to the list of unplanned accidents on site with 2 recorded incidents. The scaffolding for our houses remain assembled until the exterior cladding is complete and painted, therefore we will continue to operate at height and risk for some time and 'Caution' is required.

Week 4

Yay we're all certified to administer 'First Aid', hopefully the lessons of this course will not be necessary, however in the building industry the possibilities of injury are very real. To date the CCS course over the past 5 years have not been subjected to any major accidents on our sites, that is not to say we can relax.
Next week we begin our house projects, Richie and I have some ideas we would like to trial this year. Experience has taught us groups work better as a unit, students learn from their peers, sharing ideas and encouraging other class members. We know you are all going to gain from the experience.

The Week!

Now that we have identified who we are, CCS 2011, and established our two practical groups the class continues to progress in the classroom and the workshop. On Monday we visited the "7 steps of construction" taking notes during this class will prove valuable as the year progresses.

Tuesday time was well spent sorting out Blogs for everyone, the key to this exercise will be the participation of the entire class, and finally Wednesday, a morning with Louise our international designer (recently returned from a successful position in England) her specialty at Unitec is Tec Drawing. The practical lessons proved to be challenging for the uninitiated, hammer, nails, chisels and planers a new experience for most.
The enclosed picture: we have been asked where our shirts came from (the blue Habitat shirts). This picture was taken in Samoa last January (2010) the workers were part of a team of 28 to assist with the rebuild of villages following the September 09 Tsunami that decimated the southern coastline of Upuloa. Unitec sponsored 13 staff and 2 students. Richie and I were stoked to be part of the team!

Woodwork

Before students can embark on any major projects such as housing, workshop activities designed to instill Health and Safety must be addressed from the outset.

Once students have been registered and signed off for various safety tasks and the correct methods of handling power, portable and hand tools they then commence in applying these new skills to small workshop projects.
How to interpret plans, plan a project and apply this knowledge to to a project or task also begins with these first projects. This period is also a time for new students to bond with class mates and team mates within their respective construction teams, lecturers use this workshop time to assess the students capabilities and to address any issues before work can commence on a house project.

New students from right to left, Mason, Siope, Fatu, Pereri and Maia enjoying class time in the Scholarship CAT carpentry course, students have been busy all week bonding with new class mates and learning course requirements to assist them through the 32 week course. Upon completion of the course, students can continue their studies at Unitec to complete a Diploma or Batchelors in construction. However, step one is to complete year one.

Carpentry 2011 promises to be a top year for students enrolled on Unitec's Maori and Pacific Island Carpentry Scholarship course. The 32 week course introduces students to the philosophy of 'Real World Learning', by participating in the construction of a Cedar Weather board dwelling, each stage of construction is analysed and assessed by

the students to gain the required pass grade.

The course objective is to introduce Maori and Pacific Island students into the building and construction industry. Upon completion of year 1 students will gain a Certificate in Applied Technology in Carpentry. Successful completion of further studies in years 2,3 and 4 students will be award with the National Certificate in building, an equivalent qualification to the now replaced Advanced Trade Certificate in Carpentry.