Lee Park is a leading figure in the South Island’s Joinery sector. He’s practical, approachable and widely respected for the way he supports apprentices into the trades.

As a tutor at the Southern Institute of Technology, he delivers the BCITO Joinery apprenticeship block course which is a two-week programme that complements the knowledge apprentices gain on-site throughout the year. Apprentices spend half of their time in a real job, and the other half in the classroom broadening their skills, building confidence, and learning about new technology and machinery.

Access to certain machinery in a commercial workshop is often limited but in this environment, apprentices are encouraged to learn, experiment and develop a deeper understanding of the craft. Lee speaks positively about how this approach builds more competent and adaptable tradespeople. It gives apprentices the chance to see beyond the specific tasks they’re assigned at work and develop a more complete picture of how joinery comes together.

He’s equally optimistic about the direction of the industry. While he acknowledges that more joinery work is moving into office-based roles, he sees this as an opportunity rather than a challenge. “With the right training and encouragement, apprentices can still build those broader skills and step confidently into more advanced roles over time.”

Technology is also something Lee embraces. He sees modern machinery and automation as powerful tools that can lift productivity and quality. For him, the key is ensuring apprentices understand the “why” so they can make the most of the technology and grow with it as the industry evolves.

Lee believes apprentices who are curious tend to get more out of their training. “Those who ask questions and want to understand the reasoning behind each step, that engagement is what keeps people motivated and helps them build long, successful careers in the trade.”

Lee has also seen how recognition can make a real difference to an apprentice. Opportunities like competitions and awards give apprentices something to aim for and a chance to think creatively, often sparking a level of pride and ambition that carries through into their working lives. Many who embrace those opportunities early go on to achieve great things in the industry.

Lee’s approach is about creating skilled tradespeople who are ready for the future. By combining practical experience, strong fundamentals, and an openness to new ideas and technology, he sees a positive path forward, not just for apprentices, but for the joinery sector as a whole.