Riley Bryne - EarnLearn

A trade that
takes you places

Riley Byrne, EarnLearn PGD apprentice

Apprentice Story

Meet Riley Byrne

Riley Byrne has a pretty spectacular office. On any given day, he might be working on a farm near Te Anau, plumbing a new home, or being helicoptered into a remote corner of Fiordland.
Riley is in the third year of his Plumbing, Gasfitting and Drainlaying (PGD) apprentice through EarnLearn, while working for Te Anau Plumbing.
After several years working in concrete and building, he was drawn to plumbing by the variety of the work. When an injury prompted him to rethink his career, a PGD apprenticeship seemed like a natural next step.

“I had a bit of an idea of what plumbing would be like, having worked on building sites, and I knew it would work with my injury. I knew I’d be working with my hands as well as my brain which I liked,” Riley says.

What came as more of a surprise to him was just how varied the job could be.
“One day we’re working on a farm, and next day I’m doing a new house, and then we’re being flown into Martin’s Bay or somewhere like that. We get to see some amazing places that a lot of people don’t get to.
“One of my highlights of the job so far was a big septic system upgrade in Deep Cove,” Riley says.

Project like this bring a strong sense of achievement, particularly when the work makes a meaningful difference to the surrounding environment and local community.
As Riley progresses through his apprenticeship, one of his biggest challenges been balancing his coursework with full time work. He says the support he receives while training with EarnLearn and knowing there is always someone to call if he’s stuck on paperwork, has been important in keeping him on track.
His advice for anyone considering an apprenticeship is to give the trade a try before committing. EarnLearn’s Gateway programmes give secondary school students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the trades, earn NCEA credits and find out whether a trade apprenticeship could be right for them.

“The thing to know about a PGD apprenticeship is just how far it can take you – in life and in the world.  You’ll always be working outside, and you’ll always be busy.”

For now, Riley is happy working and training in his spectacular southern backyard as he completes the remaining years of his apprenticeship. With skilled plumbers needed across New Zealand, he is building a career that offers variety, practical challenges and opportunities to work in places few people ever get to see.
“Everyone needs a plumber.”
Click here to learn about our PGD apprenticeships →