Written by Mr Hackett.

On Thursday 25th June 2026 fourteen MHS Automotive Academy students went to MAST Academy at Northwest. Here we were guided through the courses that other recent school leavers had completed in the pre trades boat building composites and marine systems course that MAST Marine run at Northwest in Topere Way. 

Our students saw what the current Pre trade trainees had achieved in their recent six-month course. This included building a plywood paddle board with its complex structure within the board, toolboxes made with top quality dovetailed joints, a can crusher which involves some precise engineering, and a wooden running machine. The current personnel were working in small groups refurbishing 30-year-old seized up marine motors which are now nearly ready to install into boats, and second hand are worth about $10,000. 

All these existing MAST Academy students having completed their pre trade course now have interviews lined up with the marine industry in Auckland. The interviews are at some of the following, Rayglass Boats, America’s Cup Syndicate, and OVLOV, plus others. 

MAST Academy students build their practical skills connected with the marine industry and this course would be the first step towards an apprenticeship. The course is completed in the workshop at Topere Way Northwest Westgate. There are only 12 places in the course, and the next course starts in February 2027. Any student who is interested in the course should start applying now as places are very limited and there is an interview process to go through. 

Our thanks to MAST Academy for hosting us and being so informative.