BeSafe Training: Building safer futures through practical education
BeSafe Training is a NZQA accredited health and safety provider with a mission that goes beyond ticking boxes; it’s about ensuring workers not only enter the workforce but return home safely every day. Recently, WiriLink spoke with Matt Aiofaiva, Contracts Manager, and Jason Braithwaite, General Manager, about their courses, large training space facility and why they are doing their bit to get people into employment.
The company’s story began in 1999 as a private training establishment. In 2012, Peter and Jason Braithwaite took over and revived the organisation, drawing on prior experience from health and safety consultancy and PPE supply across New Zealand and Australia. From 2014, BeSafe Training began expanding with a renewed focus on practical, accessible vocational education.
“Peter initially started the business to support the community, to keep young men and women engaged in work and ensure they not only entered the workforce but also made it home safely each day. As time went on, he recognised a significant gap in the industry – the urgent need for proper health and safety practices” explains Matt.
BeSafe Training, who originally started in Albany, launched their Wiri training site in 2024 to make a difference in the community.
“We provide practical, high-impact training that’s directly linked to the demands of the workforce. Our courses are about making sure people are confident, competent, and ready for work” says Jason.
This learner-first approach defines BeSafe Training’s style. Their large training facility includes real-world tools, scaffolding, and machinery to ensure students gain hands-on experience with the gear they’ll use in the field.
“I’m a former teacher myself, and I believe that effective teaching isn’t just about delivering a subject, it’s about sharing a passion for it. Most of our team comes directly from the industries they teach in, and because they genuinely love what they do, that passion comes through in their delivery. It’s something our learners can feel and connect with” says Jason.
Courses at BeSafe Training include Asbestos Awareness & Removal, Civil Sector Safety, Crane & Rigging Operation, Confined Space Entry, Drug & Alcohol Testing, First Aid, Working at Heights, Fire Safety & Evacuation and more. They offer training at Wiri and Albany, and trainers can deliver courses onsite for businesses across the country.
One of their flagship initiatives is a two-week programme run in partnership with Work and Income, funded by the Ministry of Social Development. It helps unemployed individuals gain key skills and transition into full-time work. Their Introduction to Trades course was created in response to the post-COVID wave of people reassessing their careers and seeking a fresh start.
The organisation focuses on groups often underserved by traditional training pathways: ex-offenders, single parents, long-term beneficiaries, and individuals overcoming addiction. Many of these people have cycled through various services without finding lasting employment.
“We tell them we’re their last stop. You’ve been through the system, we’re here to give you a real shot,” says Matt.
“We connect with learners who don’t fit the traditional mould, especially boys who’ve struggled in a system designed for a narrow definition of success” adds Jason.
And it’s working. In the last year, BeSafe Training has helped nearly 1,000 people through its programmes and boasts an impressive employment outcome rate of around 80%.
Unlike some providers, BeSafe Training doesn’t stop at job placement. Their focus is on long-term success. If workers can’t stay employed, companies lose faith in local hires and look offshore, closing doors for South Aucklanders.
“We’ve made a meaningful impact within the community, and now we’re gradually establishing strong connections with local stakeholders and companies. These partnerships have allowed us to get participants into actual jobs, not just hand them certificates” says Matt.
Courses are voluntary, and many participants come from recommendations, an endorsement of both the programme’s quality and its life-changing outcomes. Although the formal contract with the Ministry only covers a three-month period, the two-week course itself often serves as a turning point for participants.
“We rely on word of mouth as our programmes work. People see the positive outcomes that they that they’ve achieved, and they go out and tell their communities, people, family and friends.”
Despite economic challenges, BeSafe Training remains committed to sustainable growth. Their goal to create safer workers and stronger communities drives every step forward.
“We don’t want to grow too fast. Our focus is quality and making sure what we do really works.
Our success comes from a team that genuinely cares, not about ticking boxes, but about outcomes. It’s not just about getting someone to complete a unit standard and sending them on their way. It’s about having trainers who are invested in making a real difference, in helping learners grow, and in creating meaningful pathways for their future” concludes Jason.
If you want to know more about BeSafe Training and their courses on offer visit their website: https://besafetraining.co.nz/, email in**@***************co.nz or phone 0800 333 899.
Click link to learn more about Besafe Training Building and Construction Employment Pathways
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