Ngarama Fletcher - Beauty

NorthTec Ākonga

“It was such a surprise to be accepted into this course and now it has opened doors to a world I didn’t even know existed. When I finished school in Kaitaia I didn’t know what I wanted to do but I’ve always been keen on things to do with beauty and it was time to expand my life outside of Kaitaia. So I applied for this course, got accepted, and I now love everything about it.”

“I knew no-one when I moved here which was hard at first but the support of the students and the tutor got me through. Another surprise was the range of what we learn. I was expecting the focus to be on make-up but we also learn anatomy, physiology, waxing and massaging, which is a challenge for me but in a good way.”

“Doing this course has put me on a career path around the world that I could never have imagined. I want to work on a cruise ship, and through the tutor’s connections here I have an interview coming up that hopefully will lead to six weeks training in the UK before signing up for a nine month contract on a cruise ship. It’s so exciting and something I would never have expected or even dreamed about - I can be working doing something I love while travelling the world!”

“My next step is to succeed at the interview and get the contract, then return home and get a job for even more experience. Later I’d love to have my own business offering a wide range of beauty therapy.”

Joseph Lister - Automotive

NorthTec Ākonga

“When I was growing up I wanted to be an auto mechanic in a car workshop and someone recommended NorthTec to me and I thought I would follow it up.

“I really like the course itself. I think it’s really well planned, we go through certain tasks and we complete it term by term and it flies by to be honest.

“My favourite part about the course is the tools! There is not a lack of tools around the workshop. And the tutors - they’re always friendly and here to help. I’m in a small group of people in my class so I get a lot of one-on-one time with the tutors.

“What motivates me now is the opportunity of an apprenticeship at the end of the course and a career path.

“The tutors teach us a full run down of the car engine - we disassemble it, reassemble it, and see all of the components multiple times. You learn the right practices too, you’re not just following what your old man does. We learn the skills needed for when you start working.

“Working on the rally cars for the International Rally that comes to Whangarei is just awesome. It’s a really rare opportunity and gives us the experience and skills we wouldn’t usually get. It’s also really cool to network and meet the big names in the industry!

“Being in the automotive industry is great because it’s hands-on and practical work.

“If anyone is thinking about coming on this course, I would say just do it! It’s fees-free! You have nothing to lose!”

Chris Boys - Digital Arts

NorthTec Ākonga

Chris’ ultimate goal is to work for WETA Workshops. He researched the best programme to study to help him achieve his goals and found his answer close to home.

“I looked into different arts programmes around the country and found that NorthTec’s Applied Arts degree was able to provide me the skills I needed to achieve my goals in the digital world.

“What I like most about this programme is the flexibility that I have as a student. We have the space and materials to use to create whatever we want – the possibilities are endless and there is potential for anything. The tutors here will go to extreme lengths to provide the resources we require.

“The tutors on the programme are another thing I love – they guide you to do the best you can and they are there for you in any way they can be. They will put you on the path that is going to help you get to where you want to go, and they will help you every step of the way. They see your strengths and if they will advise you and talk through your different options. They really are the biggest help.

“My passion is gaming – NorthTec has helped me to create 3D animation and game design, they provide me with the resources and support to be able to create my dream.

“I believe this programme is teaching me things that are beneficial to my future career. This is getting me ready for what the industry will throw at me and what it expects of me. We have the opportunity to work alongside industry throughout the degree and it helps me to connect with the art industry in Whangarei. Networking is so important in the art industry. NorthTec provides me with the connections that I can go to with queries or collaborations, and who knows when I will use them when I finish my studies!”
 

Owen Harrison - Architecture

NorthTec Ākonga

Owen is making a career shift from radiology to architecture, as well as a recent regional shift from Taranaki to Northland.

“After having our first baby it was time to move closer to family up here and I was ready to rethink my career options. I was looking at nursing but realised it’s not quite me, and I’ve had an interest in drawing houses and house plans since I was young. A friend had also done this programme and recommended it.”

“There is such a range of options in where this course can lead - from design, to project managing, to council building inspection or to working in geo-tech. My main interest is in design so I’m loving using the CAD technology, but I’m also enjoying learning about materials and construction, plus how the environment affects a building and vice-versa.”

Owen is still working part-time in radiology so balancing study with both work and family is challenging.

“It’s years since I’ve studied and I didn’t do that well at school, but because I’m interested in architecture my marks and motivation are good and I’m keeping up with the deadlines. It was challenging at first but there are other mature students in the class so we support each other and the smaller class means we get more time with the tutors.”

“There are lots of advantages in making this career shift. I’ll be working in a field I enjoy, I can earn a better income, we can do quite a bit of work away from an office so the hours are more flexible, and I could end up with my own business. I’d like to work with an architect or designer for a couple of years to get some experience, and then later maybe have my own design business. I like that the design world is always developing.”

Tui Riesterer - Nursing

NorthTec Ākonga

“Making the decision to study Nursing as a mature student is a hard call that can have serious ramifications – and very satisfying rewards. It requires preparedness. Prepare to be challenged in your workload, your relationships and your life. Prepare to be inspired - by the tutors, the students and the patients. And, prepare to be successful and rise to the responsibilities that come with that.”

“I had worked in the public service for 10 years before deciding I was ready for a career rather than a job, and to get myself up to speed for studying I began with the Foundation course. Now that I’ve nearly completed my nursing degree, I realise how special the journey has been.”

“One of the stand-outs is the way the course is structured. Each bracket has an over-arching theme so the papers come together really well. Within that structure, the tutors hold us close at the beginning while we find our feet, then they gradually loosen their grip and walk beside us until we’re ready to walk on ahead without them. It’s quite beautiful.”

“The workload is quite intense at times so balancing life and study can be a challenge, and another challenge for me has been myself. I’ve often been in my own way by either over-thinking or under-thinking things but the tutors and the work itself helped me get things back into perspective.”

“The holistic nature of nursing is embedded in the curriculum and it was a surprise to learn social work and personal skills to put in our kete of taonga. We now get to bring - and be - those things in both our work and our families. I loved too that our course includes students from different cultures and we all bring different dishes to feast from at the same table. We lean on each other and to push each other. Sometimes we were in step and sometimes we were off beat, but somehow we all managed to come together in the end.”

“When I graduate, I’m interested in doing further training so I can work in oncology, but in the meantime I’ll continue with my local community work. This gives me creative ideas about how I can best help and maybe I’ll blaze a new trail with these nursing skills. I’m learning that life is about being the best version of you.”

Richard Baldwin - Te Reo

NorthTec Ākonga

“We are the in-between generation. Our parents spoke te reo and our kids speak te reo but not us. We’re at an age now when the kaumatua are dying and at hui there are a lot of vacancies at the marae. Our generation needs to fill these vacancies and we need to start while there is still enough knowledge around to learn from.”

“This situation coupled with a life-changing experience a couple of years ago, has given me the motivation to learn te reo. I became clear on what matters and who matters. I came in here without having learnt any te reo before but I soon realised I can understand more than I thought because our aunties and uncles were fluent so we heard it around us even though they didn’t teach us.”

“I’m loving my class here and all the people involved. He Tangata. He Tangata. He Tangata. But it’s hard and we have to put a lot of work in to succeed. My younger brother is actually fluent, but as the eldest I’m meant to be the one who speaks and he’s always pushed me to take my place, but I haven’t been interested before. Now I’m ready. I’m going to be in a position to take my role and I want to do a good job – with mana.”

“I’m an introvert but at a pakeha funeral recently I was tasked by the neighbourhood to speak for our community – in English – and when I stepped up and did it, I realised I was capable of standing in this role. It’s far more daunting at a marae, but I’ve begun.”

“I’m really surprised how doing this course is bringing out my Māori side. I grew up Welsh but looked Māori. Being Maori wasn’t my thing before, but it’s time now. I’m wanting to be Māori and I’m gaining confidence.”

“The ultimate for me is be fully fluent, to be an orator, and to do it well. This means also learning the tikanga to weave through it, so it’s a long road but now’s the time. My timing coincides with a huge revival in tikanga Māori and a lot of resources becoming available.”

“My life changing experience taught me a lot. If you want to do something, go and do it. Don’t procrastinate any longer. Share it with your core group of people who matter to you.”