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Aaron Hooper was surprised at how easy the tutors made it for him as a mature student to re-enter study. “The processes were so streamlined and the tutors are so accessible and passionate about their subject.”
“I learned a lot, not just knowledge, also life. There were many great teachers, and the students as well as the teachers were very friendly.”
The skills that I have learnt from the course has helped me to understand why certain people work the way they do.
I am so much more confident at giving instructions at work and at getting resolution in any conflicted situations. The course has really helped me come out of my shell and communicate at work in ways that are effective.
This meant I was customer ready and confident when I started work at the salon. I’m now doing my apprenticeship here and I’ve grown even more in confidence.
Another big advantage on my CV was that during our course we were out interacting with local businesses with our industry projects. Mine was with a start-up business and I loved that our study was in a social environment
A lot of the skills I’ve learnt through study and work are transferable to home and family. Things like time management, interpersonal communication, understanding people better and knowing how to adapt, all apply to our lives.
It has also given me the tools to think about how to use field data for useful applications. This is all directly relevant to the work I do now. Our course work placement requirements also set up networks for both work opportunities and peer contact.
Finding kiwi chicks, ferrying students to the island, building tracks, and measuring geckos are all part of a day’s work for Bernie Buhler. Bernie is the ranger on Limestone Island in Whangarei Harbour and the 93 acre island’s only resident. “This i…
The quality of the tutoring was priceless and so much more than I expected. It opened my mind and has changed my life and I did well in class. We got several tickets including forklift driving, tracks, rollers, dangerous goods, Class II licence and …
I love every part of working here and it’s been an easy transition from being a student to a working apprentice.
“I love the range of activity in this job and everything I did in my course is relevant.”
I’ve grown and learnt a lot with my training and ultimately would love to work in a bigger place with more chefs so I can continue to learn on the job and be exposed to food and experiences that are new to me.
I’m a first time weaver but I’ve always been drawn to the materials. Harvesting and working with the mix of materials helps with our inner and outer balance.
The biggest thing I’ve learnt in this journey is not to doubt your learning abilities. You can do anything you want to once you remove your own mind blocks.
As a deck-hand we look after all the lines and work on the deck. We also teach the youth trainees about the marine and coastal environment introducing them to things like fishing restrictions and Project Island Song, plus we do the cooking for the t…
I’m at the end of my second year as an apprentice with Ken Topp Builders, so I come to block courses at NorthTec for two weeks twice a year.
“I love what we learnt at NorthTec but also the way we learnt it. We did lots of role plays and demonstrations so we weren't just learning on paper."
Diane recently opened her own hairdressing salon in Whangarei after completing two certificates in hairdressing - equivalent to a two-year salon apprenticeship.
Dylan Merritt says his job satisfaction comes from seeing the smiles on people’s faces as they improve their personal fitness and their lifestyles. Dylan leads bootcamps and personal training sessions at Whangarei’s award winning fitness studio, Act…
About a month into the course the tutor said there was an apprenticeship coming up at what was then Brian Craig Engineering, which specialised in machining rather than fabrication, so I grabbed the opportunity
“I chose to study at NorthTec because I wanted to study locally, get the degree I had always wanted, meet Northland people and get back into my community. ”
Public speaking is one of the most relevant course skills that I apply here. For a major assessment presentation we had to put information across in an interesting and accurate way.
The aspects of the NorthTec course that provided huge value to my wedding business idea, were the marketing and research papers I had to complete.
I got in-salon training here and had to sit units to get qualified but I also kept in touch with the NorthTec tutors. I’ve been here two years now and I love it
“I tossed up between studying architecture or business management here and chose business management because it applies to any industry and can be used in any country.”
“The course has opened the doors for the possibility of expanding my business and offering more services to my customers.”
I majored in photography but in my last year at NorthTec my body of work was looking at how women are perceived in art. Flowers are often used as symbols of women, and that seeded my interest in flowers.
Doing the electrical course was the best thing I’ve ever done. I came straight from school and it was ten times better than school. Everything I learnt was relevant and the tutors were the best ever. They treated me as an adult.
“I’m really glad I decided to study at NorthTec. All the tutors are great, they’re from all over the world and it was really good to work with them.”
An apprenticeship is normally three and a half years but the course reduces that by a year. From my training there I already have an understanding of how electricity works, why we do things, and how to work safely
Jessica runs her personal training business, Results Rule, from a remodelled shed on a rural property near Kerikeri.
Absolutely everything from the course is relevant to my job. . The best part of the job is talking to the customers and making sure they’re happy.
I worked full-time throughout my studies, and I have young daughter, so studying one day a week at NorthTec over four years meant I didn’t have to change my life. I just graduated in March 2019 and couldn’t be happier. I’m glad I stuck it out!
“My whole life has opened up to possibilities I never knew existed before.” John has landed a specialist job inspecting structures with KiwiRail. “I got this job inspecting bridges, tunnels, and culverts for the whole Auckland area as soon as I fini…
"I looked forward to coming to Tec every day." Jordan has always loved being around cars and enjoyed the mix of classroom and practical work at NorthTec.
I’m learning to shift stock, check on the calves, feed out, do fencing, and weed with the chainsaw. I love that there’s lots of diversity in a day
I spoke with the workshop manager and he suggested I do the NorthTec pre-trade course, then come back and apply for an apprenticeship. All the new apprentices here have done that course.”
My degree has already landed me a good job in digital arts in Auckland - and a surprise award at graduation.
One of our study subjects was consumer behaviour so it’s fascinating now to see the exact things we learnt about, played out in life. All of what we learnt is a perfect fit for my work now.
The NorthTec training was exactly what I needed for my work here. I am familiar with the processes and now my confidence has grown a lot. I’ve already created a new dessert that has been added to The Quay’s menu.
I established my career as a teacher at Whangarei Intermediate School because of my arts training and background. Creativity and performing arts are really appreciated here.
“I have gained so much from my time at NorthTec. I've developed as an artist, I'm able to give back to my family and community, and I've had opportunity to meet and work with indigenous artists from around the world."
I’m a different person with regards to my confidence, skills and self-esteem since I’ve done my nursing training and started working in the hospital 18 months ago
The mentoring/tutoring from the late Te Kuiti Stewart had a profound influence on me and my work as a practitioner, and as a tutor of whakairo.
Kerrin now works full time in what for her is a dream job. “I’m a Green Prescription Co-ordinator for Sport Northland. We support people with conditions like obesity, diabetes, depression, and heart disease to do physical activity and improve their…
I’m now General Farm Hand on the 750-hectare Oromahoe Trust sheep and beef farm. This farm is a training farm for our course so I made the connection with Sam, the Assistant Manager here, when we were doing coursework here.
“Follow what spins your wheels. Life’s too short to make sacrifices.”
NorthTec was a great training ground. I was impressed with the quality of the tutors. I was apprehensive at first but I learned a lot more than I expected and gained a lot from the level 4 course
I am so happy working at the orthopaedic ward now. Everything I studied is relevant to my job here and I’m applying it in practice.
I especially like that everything we do here is underpinned by our values of exceeding expectations, coaching, fresh thinking, being passionate, and having life balance.
Laura’s dedication to nursing was recognised when she received the ACE Primary Health Care Award in 2015 for her work as a sole nurse in Coopers Beach
When I graduated, I was offered a job for an overnight charter-boat company in Doubtful Sound - mostly off my CV, because I had my Boat Masters and Food Handling certificates.
The practical component of the course really prepares you for work. From day one we were in the hospital environment making beds and taking blood pressures, then later in rest homes, communities or specialist areas.
Leanne Jackson’s journey of enquiry is unfolding through post grad study. “Art is an area of absolute open enquiry. You can study anything, follow your own interest in living, and express it through artwork.”
Once I started on the professional study track with art, there was carry-over into other areas of my life. I took my creative work more seriously, lifted my game, gained confidence and learnt to diversify.
“The special thing about the NorthTec course is that we learn the theory then get to apply it straight away in our clinical placements. We work with actual patients in hospitals or rest homes or in the community. It is so rewarding to help people an…
“It’s great to be helping strengthen community again. This is the future. I see my work as more about community development than Social Services,” says Ligi Pakieto-Johnstone, recent Bachelor of Applied Social Services graduate from NorthTec. “Famil…
The best part of our training is the theory because we get introduced to things that we may not get taught on site for quite some time – like door-locks, stairs and pitched roofing.
"I gave myself a gap year to learn carpentry!” Since completing the NorthTec course Louise had continued to study towards her goals. “I want to teach eco-building, and set up a business utilising mud-brick techniques and arts practices.”
Even though I live close to Auckland, NorthTec offered the convenience of subjects I could group into two day blocks of part time study compared with an hour here and there through a week.
“This certificate gave me an added skill for my profession and means I can nurse here specialising in mental health. The students were really supportive and the NorthTec International Committee went that extra mile to help us with anything. I found …
I got my job at Ngati Hau by working there in my second year placement while still studying. The Girls Group is for girls aged 8-12 who at high risk due to their environmental factors. And I got the job at Youth Space through a Ngati Hau recommendat…
Twenty years ago I had the idea to open a gallery but I put it aside until now. I opened the MD Gallery in downtown Whangarei mid-2017, and for me it’s all about curating.
The practicality of the NorthTec horticulture course was really good training for this work. Although I had a good foundation in horticulture knowledge, my growth since I’ve been in this job is in gaining a better understanding of the commercial sid…
Being at a small polytechnic like NorthTec can be such an advantage. The classes are small so you get one-on-one input, plus you can save money by studying from home.
It has taken 15 years to turn my life around and six years to complete my degree but my life has now changed forever
I’m working with a company that is keen to upskill us and that pays well. Training on the job means you get to apply what you’ve learnt straight away
I previously have tended to keep to myself but here everyone is so different and friendly, and as an artist I found that nourishing and inspiring.
I now work full time as a Roading Technician with the Whangarei District Council and I look after traffic, safety, parking, new footpaths and cycle-ways projects, and minor improvement projects in the Whangarei district.
"This course was perfect. We studied composting, re-vegetation, propagation, and growing food and it was great learning how much you can do with just a few dollars. These new skills have helped me develop my business."
I’ve gone from being painfully shy to being confident enough to enjoy all aspects of hospitality work. The tutors really model what’s possible and I’ve learned from them how to be adaptable.
Since graduating, I’ve had offers to facilitate and assist with teaching Microsoft Project. Once I commit to something, I will get right into it, challenge myself, and do the best I can do.
"It is very satisfying knowing I have the knowledge to be able to help people."
During my cooperative placement for the Bachelor in Sport and Recreation programme, I managed to attain part-time employment before I graduated from my degree.
I came out of the course 100% more confident than when I started. I was put out of my comfort zone many times, but it’s only when you go through it that you realise how strong you are and what you are capable of doing. I found some strengths I didn’…
On my first Mayoral campaign trail back in 2013, someone asked me whether would I learn Te Reo if I became Mayor. I said yes. And I have.
I did a two-week internship with a power company and later that year they offered me regular contract work. That company offered me a permanent role and I’m really enjoying it
Soraya Te Iringa finished her Degree in Social Services and stepped straight into work that she loves. “I work with an agency of social change and it’s really rewarding seeing personal progress and positive outcomes.”
I’m hoping my 10-year journey from labourer to Project Engineer sets an example to not only the other guys in our company, but also to the whānau back home, that anything is possible.
“I have so much more confidence and belief in myself since starting part-time work as a Community Computer Coach at Kaitaia NorthTec campus
“A job in forestry is a job for the future. The course was really worth doing - I enjoyed it.”
Most artists that I've met have got a formal qualification in the arts. It's a good grounding and it's also about connecting with other people - you get opportunities that you wouldn't get elsewhere. It's about joining a network of artists.
In my last year of the course I was offered a place in Level 7 which requires students to complete a major project. It was a perfect opportunity for me to write my 82,000 word novel.
Our tutors also helped us network with industry and I was able to get freelance work with some local video production and TV companies