Starting small may lead students to bigger things

Learning how to build tiny houses could set up Dunedin trainee builders for bigger things.

The Dunedin Training Centre will offer a new Level 3 course from next month and the idea is that building tiny houses will give graduates a broad range of skills and they could then apply for apprenticeships, gain entry-level employment or go on to more study.

Training centre owner-operators Norm and Leisa Roos said the skills needed for building tiny houses should transfer well to employment in the building industry.

Mr Roos said he had been mulling the idea for a while.

"We looked at designing a panel home ... energy-efficient, low impact, low cost."

The idea developed into building tiny homes and Mr Roos had a friend who built them.

Their advantages included their portability and that they could be used in various ways, as well as for teaching.

The couple have a farm in Central Otago and they could see how the houses could be used as little baches.

Participants in the 14-week certificate in building, construction and allied trade skills would sketch designs, choose materials and complete the practical tasks together.

The course was initially scheduled to start this month but has been delayed until June 15 because of the coronavirus crisis.

"We’ve had quite a bit of interest," Mr Roos said.

The centre has a contract with the Ministry of Social Development and more students have been flowing into the trades nationally.

The sector had a further boost in this year’s Budget, which provided a $1.6billion package to boost apprenticeships and industry training.

That would help people retrain amid job losses resulting from fallout from the pandemic.

 - by Grant Miller