There’s certainly something magic in the mix that makes up Miles Construction staff and Keystone Trust’s alumni.
Of the students who started as interns with the Key Scholarship partner, 90 per cent have gone on to become fulltime staffers at the company.
Alumni and current student, Miles Construction
Back row: From right; Jason Barker (2022), Johan Solanga Arachchige (2026)
Front row: From right – Patrick Watta (2019), Michael Money, Auckland Manager, Eddie Tongalahi (2020)
.Who better to illustrate the winning formula than some of those current employees? We asked three of them from the Auckland office (Miles also has offices in Wellington and Christchurch) to share their insights.
Jason Barker
2022 Miles Construction Scholar
Bachelor of Construction, Massey University
1. Can you describe your full career trajectory at Miles?
“I first started with Miles at the start of 2022 as a cadet site manager. I remained a cadet while I was in my second and third year studying. After graduating, I went into a full time role as a junior site manager, and have now become a site manager.”
2. What is the magic ingredient at Miles that keeps Keystoners on staff?
“At Miles you aren’t just a number. We have a great team where you get to work with people you enjoy being around. It is a great company for career development. You get so much exposure within your role, with great opportunities for personal and professional growth.”
3. What is your greatest achievement since starting out at Miles?
“My greatest achievement would be completing and handing over my first project. It is something you work towards when you’re at the start of your career. Now you get the bug to take on more – striving for those bigger and better projects.”
Patrick Watta
2019 Miles Construction Scholar
Bachelor of Construction, Unitec
1. Can you describe your full career trajectory at Miles?
“I always tell people I lead a pretty good life. I started at Miles as a senior quantity surveyor, and am now lead quantity surveyor for the Auckland branch. I’ve been at Miles for two-and-a-half years.”
2. What is the magic ingredient at Miles that keeps Keystoners on staff?
“The company creates a really supportive environment for junior staff and its Keystone students. Miles does not tend to hold them back. If you’re passionate about the construction industry, they really push you and give you as much as you want in terms of furthering your career. That worked for me: I wanted to learn as much as I could as fast as I could.”
3. What is your greatest achievement since starting out at Miles?
“My greatest achievement would be passing on to a junior quantity surveyor working under me what I’ve learnt – and seeing her do well. She was wanting to know more, and willing to learn. What I’m doing for her now is what my mentor did for me.”
Eddie Tongalahi
2020 Miles Construction Scholar
Bachelor of Construction, majoring in construction management, Massey University
1. Can you describe your full career trajectory at Miles?
“I started when I was 20 as a cadet site manager, shadowing a site and project manager. I then became a junior site manager, and am now a site manager. I’ve been with the company for six years.”
2. What is the magic ingredient at Miles that keeps Keystoners on staff?
“It’s the people and the culture. I met [Miles founder] Alastair Miles when I did my Keystone interview, and I got the feeling straight away that I would work for someone like him. The values Miles demonstrate are what I value in my personal life. There’s also the opportunity to be exposed to projects and having the backing of your manager to run it – from start to finish.”
3. What is your greatest achievement since starting out at Miles?
“My greatest achievement is becoming the person I wanted to become. Miles has helped me work out my goals and it’s helped me grow my experience.”
