Mia MacMillan is now an apprentice plumber working in the family business after graduation last year and says she’s ‘loving it so much’.
Mia at the MacMillan Plumbing and Gas Ltd’s Penrose headquarters.
“I am new to the job so like everyone, I have to earn the respect by doing a good job. All my supervisors and co-workers are so lovely. They’re always giving me tips and tricks,” she says.
“Nothing really phases me. When I first walked into that room (at MIT’s trades and engineering campus, TechPark), I didn’t know anyone. I walked in and I said ‘hey, get used to me, I’m here now.’ They got used to it pretty fast. Everybody treated me like an equal. Everyone treated me lovely.”
“I was glad to finish the course but also really sad. It was my little team. I loved it.”
Mia started her learning at MIT in 2025 with the 19-week NZ Certificate in Plumbing, Gasfitting and Drainlaying (Level 3).
She graduated in October 2025 and now has an apprenticeship at her father’s company, MacMillan Plumbing and Gas Ltd.
After starting each working day at the Penrose office, Ms MacMillan then goes out on-site all over Auckland on various jobs.
“For the last few weeks, I’ve been working in apartments in the city, other weeks I’ve been doing drainlaying, working with the maintenance team and doing commercial stuff here and there. It’s always different and I love that.”
“Now I’m on the tools for real, I’m making use of everything I learned at TechPark. The facility at TechPark was incredible.”
“For any girl at school thinking of doing a trade I would say, even if you haven’t thought about it, give it a go. If you give it a go, at least you’ll know.”
“It’s so much fun. It’s awesome. Getting your hands dirty, there’s a lot to learn. You get your mind engaged as well.”
From left Aisa Ibrahim, Mia MacMillan and Tristan Scott all graduated last year with the pre-trade certificate in plumbing.
Mike Frankle, Plumbing Head of School, says the plumbing pre-trade certificate is a great qualification for anyone thinking of doing a trade.
“It offers a comprehensive introduction to the fundamentals required for a plumbing apprenticeship and at TechPark, they will be training on current industry tools and technology,” he says.
“It gives learners real-world experience, and reduces apprenticeship time. We also have valuable industry connections to support employment opportunities.”
As part of her apprenticeship, Mia will complete some short courses at TechPark to learn certain skills. A typical plumbing apprenticeship in New Zealand takes 3-4 years to complete.
