From sky to sea, Blenheim has it all

Blake Carr always had a massive interest in aviation and was lucky enough to have a good friend whose father worked with helicopters. He showed Blake around his workplace and that set him on a path to the NMIT Woodbourne Campus to study aeronautical engineering.

Originally from Taranaki, Blake moved straight from school to Marlborough after being accepted into the programme. Although moving out of his hometown was confronting, a homestay with family friends made the transition easier and he has since moved into a flat.

“I've been really loving it here; we've got a wealth of experience with all the tutors... and there’s just such a massive variety of things to learn,” he says.

Blake recognises that the Safety Management Systems (SMS) are a real focus of his training and hugely important for many operators around the country. By harnessing the skills he has learned, as well as becoming fully licensed through the NMIT certificate, he believes he has become that much more employable.

“If you can transfer the correct procedures to the guys in the industry, I think they will massively appreciate it because they don’t have to try and introduce this whole new culture.”

Blake was able to secure some work experience over the summer at Beck Helicopters in Taranaki. He’s says they have welcomed him to go back, which is a great sign his training and enthusiasm are leading him to where he wants to go.

Although it seems Blenheim may be winning him over.

“It’s just been really cool. I love the location here in Blenheim. I’ve got into diving with my friends and there are heaps of locations and opportunities to go out in the Marlborough Sounds right down to Kaikoura and the West Coast,” he says.

Not to mention the climate and environment.

For now, Blake would like to extend his sincere thanks to Airbus and all the people who have awarded him the Miles Hunter Scholarship.

He believes it is great to come out of the course with a base knowledge of the industry, knowing how to behave both around the aircraft and with the people who “are all a real aviation breed.”

“I think that is one of the biggest benefits – you can go into something and you’re not completely in the dark.”