Architectural Technology students on the cusp of graduating from Southern Institute of Technology (SIT), put on an exhibition of their work last week to potential employers from their sector
Thirteen Year 2 students from the New Zealand Diploma in Architectural Technology (Level 6) programme displayed their design work from the past two years at the exhibition, held at the SIT H Block Café on Thursday 20th November.
Students were on hand to discuss their work, which had already been submitted and graded, included drawings, sketches, physical models, and presentation work, as well as recently completed commercial building designs that were the central focus of the exhibition.
Representatives from the local construction and architectural industries were invited, and attended the event, including members of ADNZ (Architectural Designers New Zealand).
SIT Architectural Technology Tutor, Kasey Ward, explained the students presented the staged work for their group project concept - designs for a commercial building at 66 Dee Street - which they’d worked on throughout the year with some industry input.
“The exhibition provided an opportunity to display their final proposals for this project to the wider industry as well as other work they have developed over the last two years.” The response from industry was very positive about the quality of the work, she added.
“Some industry representatives are looking for employees so this provided a networking chance for the students where they could show off their work and discuss the finer details with potential employers.”
Mrs Ward said in her conversations with those industry representatives who attended and were actively looking for an employee, they highlighted that the quality of the work on display was fantastic. “They were pleased that the technical ability of graduates was very clear and were looking forward to engaging further with a number of students they had networked with at the exhibition to fill the role in their office.”
SIT graduand, Retha Jonker was one of the students who took up the offer to meet directly with potential employers. “It was very positive for me to have them there; to see our work and see our group project… there was good quality conversation… it was a great idea for Kasey to connect them to us.”
Mrs Jonker, who moved here from Namibia in August 2023, said she had always held an interest in Architectural Technology, but it had been just a dream to study it. It wasn’t until she settled in Invercargill with her husband that the dream became a reality through SIT. “I absolutely love it here,” she said, “the icing on the cake has been being able to study and get a qualification.”
“It was a steep learning curve for me; I was new to the construction industry here,” she admits, however, the support she received from the SIT tutors “has been just amazing”.
“I can now enter into the professional sector, it’s all possible through the opportunity I had through SIT, and the Zero Fees Scheme contributed to that,” by giving her the financial freedom to commit to full-time study, she explained. “In the beginning it was very hard, the language, the systems, everything. I was so scared I would fail, but the Zero Fees Scheme allowed me to focus all my energy on my studies.”
Now that the two years of diploma studies are behind her, Mrs Jonker said she’s so happy to have accomplished it. “Everything has just worked so well.” The final piece of the puzzle will be gaining a job in her new profession.
As well as SIT staff and students from other programmes having the opportunity to view the exhibition, the Arch Tech students invited their friends and whanau to a late afternoon session to celebrate with them and show off their work in the lead-up to graduation in December. Mrs Ward noted “The family and friends’ event was relaxed and informal and gave students a chance to show their loved ones what they had been working on…”
Mrs Ward also acknowledged the small group of students who had set up the exhibition space themselves. “They decided what work they wanted to display, which was amazing... and another one of the students – Jessie Luke – designed the exhibition invite for us.”