MyStart gives lost youth’s life direction

Media release:

MyStart gives lost youth’s life direction tutor says

Owen Sinclair, chef and co-owner of the Killer Prawn Restaurant and McMorrissey’s Irish Bar in Whangarei, says NorthTec’s MyStart Programme is providing lost youths with opportunities to gain the skills and confidence necessary to enter the likes of the hospitality industry.

MyStart, a Government led-initiative, which provides 16 to 17 year-olds with opportunities to have brighter futures especially, for those struggling to fit into the standard school system, offers them free fees in their first year of study. Formerly known as the Youth Guarantees Programme, it has been rebranded this year by NorthTec to fit the specific education needs of Te Tai tokerau.

Students can explore an area that interests them from eight first year introductory options before deciding whether to go and pursue a modern apprenticeship, enrol in a NorthTec National Certificate or elect an alternative career pathway.

Today at Raumanga campus in Whangarei, the first of three introduction days was held by NorthTec to educate and introduce Northlander’s to the MyStart Programme which saw around 60 people attend.

One of several to register for MyStart was Luke Marsh of Maungakaramea. He went along with his mother Kellie to find out more information about MyStart and was content to register interest in the Introduction to Sport and Outdoor Education programme.

Mrs Marsh says Luke had finished school part way through last year and went farming but had decided it was no longer for him and wanted to see what his options were with not many employment opportunities available to someone his age without a formal qualification.

Mrs Marsh said ultimately, the MyStart Programme offered what her son was looking for and meant he didn’t have to leave home where he loves playing rugby for his Mid-Western club.

She said the MyStart programme also had the potential to open up other avenues for Luke should he wish to pursue something else.

Each of the introduction days NorthTec is holding involves a brief introduction to the programme, demonstrations from tutors, programme tours, and barbeques and spot prizes. The next is to be held at Kaitaia’s campus on February 10 followed by another at Rawene on February 16.

Mr Sinclair, who opened Killer Prawn in Whangarei 16 years ago, says he began tutoring at NorthTec last August to “inspire” youngsters and expand their thinking when the Youth Guarantees Programme was introduced at NorthTec.

“It would seem from talking to the students, a lot of them have the impression that there are not a lot of opportunities available to them. I feel it is important for them to have a role model to show them they are the masters of their own destinies.”

“Nobody can do it for them. They are being handed the opportunity – it is up to them to make the most of it.”

Although he had never taught in an official capacity as a tutor, he has always been willing to pass on his 25 years knowledge of the hospitality industry. He says Killer Prawn is an accredited training facility with most of his trainees coming from NorthTec.

This March, he and Shane Paraone will be passing down their combined 50 years of experience and knowledge to another intake of MyStart students.

“The main motivator for me is to inspire them. I see my role being a mentor-type figure getting them focussed on their futures and excited about the career possibilities available to them. I hope to be a catalyst to make that happen,” Mr Sinclair said.

He started out working for restaurants in Auckland including Harbour Side Restaurant, the 1990s iconic fine-dining restaurant Number 5, and later Veranda Bar and Grill whilst training to be a chef at the Auckland Technological Institute now operating as Auckland University of Technology.

ends

© Scoop Media