What started out as an outside internship has blossomed into a new sponsorship arrangement for the Keystone Trust.
2026 engineering, construction and surveying students take part in workshop hosted by Jordan Walker, Geotechnical Manager, Kirk Roberts, Christchurch
Kirk Roberts Consulting has partnered with the trust after Harjot Gill – a Keystone 2024 scholar – interned with the national multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy. Interestingly, Harjot’s appointment did not come through any Keystone connections, but his efforts clearly impressed the company and they decided to take a closer look at what the trust was all about.
Kirk Roberts National Recruitment Manager Amber Taylor explains: “Harjot was a second-year intern and, because we were only taking on a small number that year, our priority was fourth-year students. But after speaking with him, it was obvious he had something special. He came across as genuine, driven and highly capable, so I knew we needed to bring him in for an interview.
During that process, Amber spoke with Keystone General Manager Amanda Stanes and learnt more about Keystone and the opportunities it provides to support people entering the industry. It was an initiative that strongly aligned with Kirk Roberts’ commitment to investing in the next generation of engineers and giving back to the profession.
“When Amanda talked me through what Keystone was doing, I thought, ‘Wow, this really aligns with what we’re passionate about.’ Supporting people on their engineering journey and investing in the future of our industry is something we genuinely value. My next question was, ‘How can we be part of it? What does that look like?'”
Announcing its partnership, Kirk Roberts said it reflects its commitment to investing in the future of the industry and supporting the next generation of engineering and construction talent.
Jo Lynch, National Marketing and Communications Manager, says the company, now in its 19th year with offices in Christchurch, Queenstown, Tauranga, Hamilton and Auckland – and a recently appointed employee in Wellington – saw Keystone Trust as a natural fit.
“We’re passionate about supporting the future of our industry, and Keystone Trust is making a genuine difference by helping talented students build careers in engineering, architecture and construction. The partnership aligns closely with our values and gives us the opportunity to contribute through mentoring, industry connections and real-world experience. Investing in the next generation is good for our profession, our communities and the industry as a whole.”
When Kirk Roberts came across the Keystone Trust: “it was a no-brainer because it absolutely fits where we are as a company: it’s nationwide, it’s supporting those students in our industry that are going to be up-and-comers, and we’re also able to help guide and give back to those students who could potentially end up working with us at some stage.”
Explains Amber: “Our people have come through different pathways, but a common theme I hear from many of our senior engineers is that someone took the time to support them early in their careers, whether that was through a conversation, coaching, guidance or mentorship. They remember the impact that had on them, and they want to do the same for the next generation. For us, it reflects who we are as a business and our commitment to coaching and mentoring future engineers.”
Harjot, who is now in his third year of a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) degree at the University, is an amazing advocate for the trust, as well as being a pretty awesome individual himself, Amber adds.
And it looks like he’s laid the foundation for new Keystone students to follow in his footprints. Kirk Roberts has summer internships every year across their offices and are considering Keystone interns for the future.
Amanda Stanes has welcomed the sponsorship. “By providing mentorship, industry exposure and real-world opportunities, organisations like Kirk Roberts help our students build confidence, connections and long-term career pathways,” she says.
As the student responsible for the introduction in the first place, Harjot heaps great praise on the new relationship. “My internship with Kirk Roberts was an incredibly valuable experience, giving me practical exposure across several engineering disciplines while working alongside an extremely welcoming and supportive team,” he says. “As Keystone has played such an important role in my own journey, it is particularly meaningful to see Kirk Roberts now partnering with the Trust. Knowing that this connection may help create similar opportunities for future students is incredibly rewarding, especially as more students like me may now benefit from the same kind of experience.”
Harjot Gill with Marcus Read, Director, RCP
