Islam Khaled-Abbas is carpentry apprentice through BCITO, based in Tāmaki | Auckland.
Islam was one of the winners in our 2024 Next Gen Awards. To enter the Next Gen Awards nominees had to submit their 'big idea' to shake up the industry.
Islam’s idea addressed the issue of mental health in the construction industry with a simple and effective solution. He suggested that a fundamental counselling course be integrated into the Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) programme to equip site leaders with effective communication tools and strategies to address mental health issues on site.
Islam remarked that mental health of workers is not just a personal problem – but one of productivity, quality of work, relationships and safety.
We asked Islam a few questions to get to know him better.
What does a typical day look like for you?
A typical day for me consists of a 7.5 hour work day on a residential build. Depending on the stage of the build, I am usually assigned a section of the house to work on with deadlines that coincide with inspections and other booked in trades.
What would you like to do in the coming years?
My immediate goal is to complete my apprenticeship. Following that I would like to get my LBP and eventually build a business of my own. I would also love to build my own home one day.
What did your Next Gen Award win mean to you?
It was a great opportunity to reach out and meet likeminded people in the industry. It was also exciting to have a platform to voice my ideas and learn from others’ ideas.
What made you choose to train in the construction industry?
I was working in the industry while doing a degree in a completely different field. When I graduated my former boss convinced me that a career in construction would be a fulfilling pathway with lots of opportunities. I haven’t looked back.
One change you would like to see in the building industry in NZ?
I would like to see more education around leadership and mediation for those in leadership/management roles withing the industry, with a focus on problem solving and mental health in the workplace.
Who inspires you in the industry?
My current boss inspires me. He’s someone who started out on his own and he pays careful attention to the details of his craft.
What construction project in NZ do you wish you could have worked on?
There was a project that caught my eye on ‘The Local Project” – Scrubby Bay by Paterson Associates. I love the use of timber and the way it fits in the environment.
What’s something you like to do in your spare time?
I like to sketch and pain when I get the opportunity – it helps me relax and clear my mind.
What are you reading/watching/listening to at the moment?
I’ve been watching clips from the better builder podcast to help get a broader perspective of the industry. I also like seeing the unique buildings featured on ‘The Local Project.’
