Jones & Sandford apprentice shines a light on female talent in the trades

At just 23 years old, Olivia Grogan is proving that with the right mindset and the right training, anything is possible – and she’s encouraging more women to follow in her footsteps.

Olivia is in the early stages of her New Zealand Certificate in Furniture and Cabinetmaking (Level 4) at Jones & Sandford Joinery in New Plymouth – but you’d never guess it. Already turning out professional-grade joinery, she’s impressing her peers and inspiring others with her skill, focus and fearless approach to learning.

“I just love it,” says Olivia. “It felt natural from the start. I’m a hands-on person and I like seeing something evolve from a sketch to a finished piece. It’s such a good feeling to say, ‘I made that.’”

Raised in Taranaki, Olivia’s path into the trades wasn’t linear. A creative student who favoured woodwork and metalwork at school, she had a lightbulb moment in her early twenties while travelling around the country.

“I realised I didn’t want a desk job – I wanted to make things,” she says. “I did a pre-trade building course and loved it, but when the building company I worked for closed and I struggled to find another local job in building, that’s when I saw Jones & Sandford was hiring and I considered changing-up industries.”

Far from seeing the change as a setback, Olivia says the move into furniture and cabinetmaking was a turning point. “It’s still tool-based and creative, and I had all my building tools, so I jumped in. I’ve been here two years now and I couldn’t be happier.”

Thanks to the earn-and-learn model of apprenticeships, Olivia and her partner recently bought their first home in Stratford — something she says wouldn’t have been possible without the steady income and career direction her apprenticeship provides.

“I feel really lucky. Being able to earn while you learn takes a lot of pressure off and means you can start building your life while you’re still getting qualified.”

A family-owned business with a 106-year history, Jones & Sandford is known in Taranaki and nationally for its bespoke craftsmanship and culture of innovation – but also its strong investment in people. The business has trained more than 150 apprentices.

Director Roger Jones is part of the family legacy, but he brought a fresh lens to the business when he joined the business after a career in commercial construction.

“I’ve sat on the client side of the table,” says Roger. “That means I understand what architects, contractors and our end-users need. When I came back into the family business, I wanted to build a team and an environment that exceeded those expectations – technically, creatively and culturally.”

Roger says training has always been fundamental to the business.

“The success of a business isn’t just about machines or materials – it’s about people,” he says. “We train for two reasons: personal development and business success. That investment in people has to be constant – whether times are tough or not.”

He believes apprenticeships bring fresh energy into the business and help develop well-rounded individuals who understand more than just their tools.

“We want all our people to have a broader understanding of the business as it helps us deliver better results for clients and gives our team real long-term career potential.

“Olivia stood out straight away. She’s hungry for knowledge and learning, and she gets on with things. That mindset is exactly what you want in an apprentice.”

Jones & Sandford currently has five apprentices in training, including two women. While they don’t have a formal diversity policy, Roger says they simply hire the best person for the job – and women like Olivia are proving their place in the industry.

“She’s a go-getter,” adds team leader Dan Fraser, who mentors apprentices on the workshop floor. “She pushes through her jobs faster than most and wants to take everything in. That kind of drive sets her apart.”

That drive hasn’t gone unnoticed by Olivia’s Training Advisor, Todd Billing, from industry training organisation, Competenz.

“Olivia gives the proverbial 110%,” says Todd. “Her dedication to not only her work, but also her training, is second to none. She consistently completes tasks to a high standard and sets the bar well above what most people would aim for. She’s driven, passionate and dedicated to always doing her best – nobody could ask for more.”

Todd says Jones & Sandford is training with confidence and their world-class apprentice programme is a model for what industry-led training can achieve.

“The team here works alongside learners to help them succeed. You can see it in the way Dan supports apprentices on the floor, and how management is always asking how their team is doing and what they can improve. It’s an open, friendly and encouraging environment where people are not only supported, but actively pushed to grow and expand their skills.”

Olivia is also part of the team building joinery for the new Taranaki hospital – a large-scale, multi-year contract that includes everything from bedheads to reception counters.

“We’re making hundreds of units for the hospital,” she says. “It’s great knowing my work is going to help shape such an important facility for our community.”

With a steady pipeline of work ahead and a modern facility equipped with CNC machinery and lean manufacturing systems, Jones & Sandford is well-positioned for growth. But Roger says their real point of difference isn’t technology – it’s culture.

“We’ve invested heavily in the environment our team works in – from world-class equipment to five-star bathrooms. Why? Because people spend a third of their lives at work. We want it to be a place they’re proud of.”

For Olivia, that philosophy is paying off.

“I told Roger in my interview I might be his competition one day,” she laughs. “My dream is to open my own joinery factory. But for now, I’m learning as much as I can – and loving every minute of it.”

This ambition is well received by her employer.

“Many of our people who start up their own businesses have become a key part of the supply chain for Jones and Sandford. It's a win- win situation,” says Roger.

Olivia is also determined to encourage more young women to give trades a go.

“There’s still a perception that trades are just for men – but that’s changing. Yes, it’s physical, but women are capable. You’ve just got to show up, ask questions, get involved. If you work hard and back yourself, you can do it.”

With an unwavering commitment to quality and an environment that champions growth, Jones & Sandford is giving Olivia the tools — and the trust — to carve out a future as a leader in her craft.

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