The successful partnership was initiated last year when SIT reached out to local engineering businesses, offering to partner with them by providing SIT students for work experience in their business.
“Stabicraft signed up to the programme,” says Victoria Collie, GM People and Culture at Stabicraft, outlining they took on two students for the trial. “We had Matthew Brown and Lily Crowley towards the end of their studies, for one day a week over eight weeks.”
The students were rotated around the different divisions within Stabicraft, experiencing cutting and pressing, welding, and finishing the boats, as well as time with the design team and the warehousing and logistics team.
Mrs Collie acknowledges it was a big plus giving the students some familiarity with the whole plant. “They got to see the whole boat-building process to help them work out what they were most interested in… They know coming in what we do.”
The outcomes from taking on the two students couldn’t have been better. “We decided to offer both of them apprenticeships,” said Mrs Collie. “[SIT] sent us two really amazing students. It’s terrific to have them sending young people through to introduce them to the workplace.”
Stabicraft People and Culture team member, Rochelle Megee, agreed, “They’ve both been amazing, and just really keen to learn,” she says.
2025 was a big year for Lily Crowley; she retrained at SIT for a new career; completed successful work experience which resulted in the Stabicraft apprenticeship offer, and to top it off, she was awarded top student for her programme.
“SIT helped me set up my resume and sent it into Stabicraft so I could get my foot in the door with work experience.” Once in the door, Miss Crowley impressed with her work ethic. “…everybody only seemed to have good things to say about me at Stabicraft and I was offered the apprenticeship as my study at SIT was ending.” She admits, “I was very stoic at work when I was offered it, and as soon as I got home I called just about everyone to brag about it.”
SIT’s proactive approach to industry has been a winner for Stabicraft. “Skilled alloy welders are hard to come by,” Mrs Collie explained. “With Lily and Matthew, we are able to grow our future talent, knowing they have a base level of skills, they’re keen to learn and have great attitudes.” She added it was good to see more female students coming through the trades.
With the 100% success of the collaboration, Mrs Collie says Stabicraft will be signing up again this year. “We’ve found SIT great to deal with. They’re very responsive. We’re more than happy to partner with SIT again.”
Luke Mason, SIT Head of School – Engineering, says the collaboration has worked well
because of Stabicraft’s 100% commitment to the trial. The pilot scheme, which was launched in May 2025, came about through guidance from the Mechanical Engineering Industry advisory committee, suggesting SIT could bridge a disconnect between industry and students by directly connecting them with each other, Mr Mason explained.
“After internal and external consultation, the pilot scheme began; 15 local businesses registered their interest to host a student for work experience throughout their study in 2025.” 16 students from a class of 19 were placed.
Mr Mason acknowledged ENGAGE Southland, who handled initial communication “as they had the network of local engineering businesses”, then SIT’s Employment Liaison, Cathy Jenner, was the key point of contact for the businesses, working with them, engineering department tutors and the students, to help place them.
“The outcomes of the trial have achieved their aims with stronger ties between SIT and the mechanical engineering industry, with students being offered the opportunity to undertake real-world work experience while they study fulltime,” Mr Mason stated.
Importantly, the trial was a key factor in multiple students being offered an apprenticeship on completion of their study.
“It points to the high value of the work experience and connecting students directly with potential employers. The success of Lily and Matthew is due to the level of support they have had, and the level of engagement and support from SIT and Stabicraft.”
“SIT is continuing with this scheme in 2026; students will be placed with local businesses from April through until the end of their study in November.”
Mr Mason offered his thanks to the Stabicraft team and other local engineering businesses for jumping onboard and fully backing SIT’s initiative. “We are very proud to hear that our students have added value to Stabicraft and that moving forward, they will become valuable members of the Stabicraft team.”
Find Stabicraft on LinkedIn.