Tag: Success stories

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Hospo skills honed on the marae

After catering for large groups at the marae with her family, Bridgit-Lee Morgan found her hospitality skills were already well honed. By getting qualified, the 23-year-old is turning her natural talent into an exciting career.

Growing up in a big Māori family meant Bridgit-Lee Morgan developed her hospitality skills well before she even set foot on a tertiary campus.

Catering for large groups at the marae was just part of everyday life, so it came as a surprise to learn she could make a career from it.

“When I first started studying hospitality, the tutors were telling us stuff like how to set up a restaurant in 30 minutes, and I realised I already knew it,” she says.

“Because of my experience on the marae, that sort of thing was common sense to me. I didn’t realise how much I already knew. It was cool to realise I could make good money out of it, rather than just being told what to do by my family!”

Finding her path

Bridgit, aged 23, is doing a L4 Certificate in Food and Beverage at Manukau Institute of Technology and will qualify early next year.

Despite her natural talent in hospitality, Bridgit didn’t see it as a viable career path when she was leaving school.

Instead, she went straight into a warehouse job, then studied tourism and travel, before becoming a deckhand on Te Aurere Waka, a traditional voyaging ship based out of Auckland.

“We did tours out of Auckland and I really enjoyed it. That was one of the main things I wanted to do in tourism – work outdoors.”

Bridgit’s move into formal hospitality training came by chance.

“I was supposed to go into a Diploma in Pacific Rim Tourism but they got my details mixed up and I ended up doing hospo. I was planning to do that later anyway, so I just went with it and I’ve really enjoyed it.”

She says the most attractive things about working in hospitality are the opportunities to travel and earn a decent wage.

“I’m thinking about training as a chef too because that’s related to hospitality.”

Taking opportunities

Bridgit says it was a big help having her course fees covered by a scholarship from MPTT Auckland.

“It made it much easier financially. There’s been no pressure, no worries about the money.”

As an MPTT Auckland scholar, Bridgit was invited to join a team of trades trainees who travelled to Fiji in September to build cyclone-resistant homes for low-income families.  

Helping build the two homes from scratch, in a small settlement near Nadi, gave Bridgit a massive confidence boost in terms of her DIY skills.

“That trip really opened my mind up about different options. The way you can build a house, door handles and windows, is just amazing.

“I usually just ask dad to do that kind of thing for me at home but I feel way more confident now about doing it myself.”

Bridgit’s trip to Fiji was made possible thanks to the generosity of sponsors like Bev McConnell, Dr William and Loreen Brehaut, Argus Fire Protection and Allendale Electrical.

“Thank you for the opportunity to go to Fiji and do some good work. It’s been a really good experience,” Bridgit says.

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Trainee building a future for his family

Growing up in a small Pacific Island nation, Ineleo fell in love with carpentry while helping to build a new school. Now he’s building a future for his family as he earns his qualification in New Zealand.

Leaving the tiny island nation of Tokelau to train as a builder in New Zealand has come with major sacrifices for Ineleo Tefono.

The 25-year-old has not seen his wife and two young sons – nor has he tasted freshly-caught yellowfin tuna – for nearly 10 months.

But Ineleo knows he’s working towards a qualification that will set his family up for life.

“My plan is to train and then get a job as a builder and save enough money to bring my family over. Then, maybe after six years, I will have enough to go home and build my own house in Tokelau,” he says.

“By then my kids will have learned English too.”

Getting schooled

Growing up in Tokelau Fakaofo, one of the country’s three atolls, Ineleo fell in love with carpentry while helping to build a new school.

In fact, he enjoyed that job so much he named his first son after the school.

“Our baby was born on the same day we opened the school so we named him Tialeniu (which means ‘baby coconut’), the same name as the school,” he says.

“After we opened the school I realised it was a good time for me to go and do a course.”

Ineleo is now doing his Level 4 Certificate in Carpentry at Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT). His course is funded by a scholarship from Māori and Pasfika Trades Training: Auckland.

Island hopping

Coming to New Zealand in February 2016 was a big eye-opener for Ineleo, whose home island is only about 3km2 and inhabited by around 300 people.

He now lives in MIT’s bustling student village and does most of his shopping at the Otara flea market on Saturdays.

Despite the change in lifestyle, he’s enjoying the chance to gain new building skills.

“Putting the trusses up is my favourite because that’s when you get to see if you’ve done everything right. If the trusses fit, you know you’ve done a good job.”

Once he’s finished Level 4 in November, Ineleo will head home for a few months, before returning to begin an apprenticeship.

Applying his skills

A highlight of his year has been visiting Fiji for two weeks in September/October as part of an MPTT: Auckland team that’s partnered with Habitat for Humanity.

The team is aiming to build two new homes for families made homeless by Cyclone Winston earlier this year.

Ineleo’s trip has been generously sponsored by heating and air-conditioning company Numecon Contracting Ltd.

“I’m so thankful to Numecon for sponsoring me and I’m happy to be part of this team – it’s like we came as a family.

“I want to help the people in Fiji and it’s good for me to share my talents and knowledge as a builder. I feel like I’m representing Tokelau Fakaofo.”

Ineleo came to New Zealand under a scholarship from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT). He receives valuable mentoring and pastoral support from The Skills Organisation.

Issac Liava’a, National Manager Pasifika for The Skills Organisation, says it’s a thrill to see Ineleo using his skills to help others.

“We’re really happy that one of our MFAT scholarship awardees is part of the MPTT programme and that he has this opportunity to provide assistance in Fiji.”

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Desk job to dream job

After years of working at a desk, Fou Fale left his office job to follow his passion and become a chef.

Three years ago, Fou Fale was stuck behind a desk shuffling paperwork at an inner-city telecommunications company.

He’d been in and out of jobs for years, often struggling to pay bills and provide for his wife and three young children.

“I was trying to find that sense of thriving in my life – but I lacked it,” says the 29-year-old Samoan.

His true passion, cooking, had been simmering under the surface for years.

“I’m one of seven siblings and I was always the family cook. Every time we had get-togethers I’d try to make fancy dinners out of corned beef, chicken backs, chop suey and taro!”

Growing confidence

When someone told him about Māori and Pasifika Trades Training (MPTT), the possibility of training as a chef for free seemed too good to be true.

“I thought it would be awesome because it would take the financial pressure off, not having to pay back a massive student loan. But I didn’t think I was entitled.”

Fou’s wife, Katerina, says her husband faced a major confidence hurdle applying for the course.

“He thought he really was not good enough for it. Like, ‘I’m just a Samoan boy, they’re not going to give me that’.”

Encouraged by his family and pastor, Fou stepped out and applied.

“When I got in I was like ‘Wow, my first scholarship ever!’ It made me feel kind of special,” he recalls.

“I saw it as a sign and thought ‘I’m not going to go half-hearted; I’m going to give it my all’.”

Stepping up

Fou has excelled during his Certificate in Cookery (Level 3 and 4), shining as an inspiring and talented young leader at Manukau Institute of Technology.

In fact, his 30 classmates picked Fou to be their Head Chef for the final semester.

“It’s pretty full-on juggling my training, kids and this new responsibility as Head Chef, but it’s been awesome and I’m looking forward to growing my cooking and leadership skills.”

Living the dream

Fou says MPTT gave him an opportunity to chase something he’s dreamt about for a long time.

Now, as he nears graduation, Fou says his dream is to run his own catering business.

“That’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time but I needed to get the qualification first.”

He still loves cooking traditional Pacific Island food, but has given his old childhood favourites a new twist.

“I still cook those same things but I’ve modernised them, making the dishes as presentable and healthy as possible. That’s where I’m heading now – making healthy recipes and meals for our people.”

Fou is also driven to help young people in his church.

“Some of those kids have no sense of direction and I tell them there’s help out there that’s free, and there are people who are willing to sacrifice their time to make your future better – not just for you but also for your kids.”

Armed with new skills and new hope for the future, Fou’s vision is to see other young Pasifika and Māori take hold of the opportunities presented by MPTT.

“If we can inspire as many of our Pacific Island and Māori people to take up this programme, that’s my goal. Everyone’s given the same opportunities but it’s up to them to make something out of it.”

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Think big and go for it

After 10 years as a labourer, Doug Graham decided to turn his practical experience into a qualification – and an exciting career.

Doug Graham always knew he wanted to run his own business and help young people coming out of school.

But despite having more than 10 years’ experience as a labourer, he had no qualifications and no way of getting ahead in the building industry.

Making it official

Doug decided to bite the bullet and enrolled at Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT) to study part-time for a National Certificate in Carpentry (Level 4) while working.

It took him three years, but he graduated with pride last year.

Having a qualification means he’s been able to take on greater responsibility in his work for his employer.

“I’m more confident now and within another year I’ll be able to build houses on my own. Before I got qualified, I was just doing general stuff – labouring and pretty much just being a hammer hand.”

To cover tuition fees for the final two years of his studies, Doug was given a scholarship from Māori and Pasifika Trades Training (MPTT).

“It really helped me on my journey. At the time I was struggling a bit with bills and stuff and when I got the help, it took a lot of weight off my shoulders. MPTT giving out scholarships to Māori and Pasifika is great because so many people like myself need it.”

A new direction

Doug’s only regret is waiting so long to pursue a building qualification. He wishes he’d applied straight after leaving school.

“I had no direction whatsoever. I pretty much just fell into a job. I should have got in there [to study with MIT] when I was younger,” he says.

“Don’t be a labourer your whole life; think big and go for it. My goal has always been to own my own business and train all these young people out of school. I think within another four to five years that will happen.”

His advice to others considering a career in the building industry?

“The more knowledge you get now, the more time you have ahead to gain skills as well. Anybody can do it. With building the sky is the limit.”

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Marine engineer charts a new course with refrigeration

While working as a marine engineer, Lucas realised the lifestyle of living on a ship wasn’t for him. Find out how he launched a new career in the refrigeration and air conditioning trade and found an apprenticeship.

Lucas Rankin always knew he didn’t want to be stuck in an office. But after taking up marine engineering, he soon found himself stuck on a boat.

“I thought I wanted to do marine engineering because it had a lot of variety. But the lifestyle wasn’t for me. You live and work on the ship, so the weekend’s not really a weekend – you’re basically working every day.”

Cool career change

As part of his training in marine engineering, Lucas learned about refrigeration and air conditioning, so he decided to pursue it as a career.

“We did a bit of it on the ship, and I enjoyed it. The gear they have is quite similar to the industrial gear they have on shore.”

After starting his pre-trade Refrigeration and Air Conditioning course at Manukau Institute of Technology, Lucas heard about Maori and Pasifika Trades Training and learned he could have his fees covered by a scholarship.

“That was awesome – I was stoked to find out!”

The 23-year-old, who grew up in Samoa and moved to New Zealand in 2011, now has an apprenticeship at Excel Refrigeration and Air Con Ltd. He works all over Auckland doing the practical work he loves, but with the balance of getting to go home at the end of the day.

“You get to do a lot in this trade. You’ll do welding one day, electrical another day, you even do a bit of plumbing. A lot is involved, which is quite cool.”

Showing initiative

Paddy Durham, a technician at Excel and Chair of the Ammonia Safety Association New Zealand, has been mentoring Lucas for around four months.

He says Lucas is a great worker who shows a lot of initiative.

“He’s a really good apprentice, one of the best I’ve come across. He has a really strong work ethic.

“He’s very intuitive with the whole process. I’ll be thinking about a task and I’ll turn around to find Lucas already handing me the right tool for the job without prompting.

“And if I have to take a phone call and I’m tied up, Lucas will just start cleaning up or keeping himself busy. He’s bloody amazing.”

‘Give it a go’

Lucas says his advice to others considering the trades is to give it a go as soon as possible.

“If you like hands-on work and don’t want to be stuck in an office, try a trade. I knew from a young age I wasn’t going to be in an office for the rest of my life.

“I feel like I should have started learning a trade earlier – like as soon as I got to New Zealand I should have just jumped into refrigeration. But in saying that, I feel like my experience in industrial shipping was really helpful.”

Lucas says he’s loving his apprenticeship and hopes to keep working for Excel after he’s qualified.

He also hopes to inspire other young Pacific Islanders to take up the trade.

“I want people to know that it’s an awesome industry to work in. If you have an interest in engineering, then definitely go for it.”

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From ‘bum’ to builder

When he moved from Gisborne to Auckland in 2015, Anton Lee-Kutia had no qualifications and not much confidence. But while helping his uncle with DIY jobs, Anton and his whanau discovered his talent for building.

When Anton Lee-Kutia moved from Gisborne to Auckland last year, his only clear goal in life was to be a good dad to his two young daughters.

But he had no qualifications, no money and not much confidence.

“I came up to Auckland ‘cos I had a bad break-up with my ex and needed space. I was being a bum really. For years I’d just been doing whatever there was for work or I was on the dole.”

Hidden talent

While staying with his relatives, Anton started doing small DIY projects around home.

“I was helping my uncle round the house, building fences and gates, and he said ‘You’ve got a bit of a knack for this’. I’d never done that kind of thing before; I was just trying to pull my weight.”

Before he knew it, Anton’s family had helped him successfully apply for a Level 4 Certificate in Carpentry at Unitec, and a full-fee scholarship from MPTT Auckland.

He started the certificate in February and is on track to hold his first formal qualification by Christmas this year.

“I’m enjoying it. I just really like building frames and using my hands. I don’t like the theory much though,” he says.  

“After I qualify, I’ll try to find a good company to work for and start my apprenticeship.”

A bright future

Anton reckons going from “bum” to trained builder within 12 months has been “a hard-out change”.

“At the end of the day I was nearly 30 with nothing under my belt. Compared to where I was last year, I’m doing heaps better.”

A highlight this year was travelling to Fiji in October as part of an MPTT: Auckland team that partnered with Habitat for Humanity in building two new homes for low-income families.

Anton’s two-week voluntary trip was generously sponsored by Hawkins Group.

“Thanks to Hawkins for making this trip happen. It gave me the opportunity to go and use the skills I’ve learned so far, doing some good in the world.”

Anton says working in the poor community of Loqi, near Nadi, was a real eye-opener.

“It made me see how easy we’ve got it. The timber they used was a basic debarked log and the builder’s mix was just rocks and stones from down at the creek. It was real old-school.”

Staying motivated

Despite having a great year, Anton knows how easily he could slip back into his old ways unless he stays focused.

“I guess I’ve learned that if you want to get there you’ve got to put in the work. Things won’t just fall in your lap.”

Driving him is a motivation to provide for his children.

“I want to be able to look after them, and I want them to see me not doing the old stuff I used to do,” he says.

“I’m nearly there. It’s just a matter of waiting and having the patience to let things tick over. At the moment I have to look for a job and keep doing the studies.”

Living with his relatives has also given Anton the chance to make a difference in his 16-year-old nephew’s life.

“I tell him not to worry about partying so much and I say, ‘Don’t end up like me, living with my aunty. Go get the qualifications now and the good things will come with it’.”

Anton may be living with his aunty and uncle but at least he’s finally found a dream – to have a great career and build his own home one day.