At 17, I was at university diving into sport and leisure studies, mixing in business and psych papers, thinking I had it all mapped out. But life’s never a straight line. By 21, I was dairy farming. Three years later, I was managing apple orchards. I even completed an apprenticeship in horticulture through Primary ITO. Still, something was missing. 

At just 28 years old, Cameron Wright has already carved out a path that many apprentices will find both relatable and inspiring. Hailing from Metroglass Christchurch, Cameron’s story is one of persistence, people, and personal growth—proof that you don’t need to follow a perfect plan to build a successful life and career. You just need to keep showing up, stay hungry, and back yourself.

In 2019, a young apprentice faced health risks due to lead exposure while working on retrofit double glazing and rot repair. Despite wearing goggles and a respirator, their standard work attire left skin exposed while sanding timber window sashes that had old, lead-based paint…

For Leesh, securing a job in glazing was straightforward - she saw an opportunity and took it. Originally seeking a building role, she called Craig Maisey Builders and Glass Ltd in Kaitaia, where owner Craig Maisey offered her a glazing position instead. Always eager to learn, she embraced the challenge.