Stabicraft Offers Apprenticeships to Two SIT Engineering Students

Two Southern Institute of Technology students have landed apprenticeships with Stabicraft after impressing during a pilot work experience programme launched last year.

Matthew Brown and Lily Crowley spent eight weeks at the iconic Southland boat-building company, working one day a week across different divisions including cutting and pressing, welding, finishing, design, and warehousing.

"We decided to offer both of them apprenticeships," said Victoria Collie, GM People and Culture at Stabicraft. "[SIT] sent us two really amazing students. It's terrific to have them sending young people through to introduce them to the workplace."

The partnership began when SIT reached out to local engineering businesses, offering students for work experience placements. Stabicraft signed up for the trial programme, rotating the students through different areas to give them exposure to the complete boat-building process.

"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," Mrs Collie said.

For Lily Crowley, 2025 was a breakthrough year. She retrained at SIT for a new career, completed the successful work experience, received the apprenticeship offer, and 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," Miss Crowley said. "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. 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."

Rochelle Megee from Stabicraft's People and Culture team praised both students: "They've both been amazing, and just really keen to learn."

The programme addresses a skills shortage in the industry. "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."

Luke Mason, SIT Head of School – Engineering, said the pilot scheme launched in May 2025 following guidance from the Mechanical Engineering Industry advisory committee. Fifteen local businesses registered interest, with 16 students from a class of 19 placed in work experience roles.

"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 said.

ENGAGE Southland helped with initial communication, while SIT's Employment Liaison Cathy Jenner coordinated placements between businesses, tutors and students.

Stabicraft plans to participate 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," Mrs Collie said.

The scheme continues in 2026, with students to be placed with local businesses from April through November.