Gaining an education at NorthTec important to whanau

Gaining an education at NorthTec important to Mei and her whanau

Mei Russell and her whanau have embraced studying at NorthTec as a way to better their future prospects.

Mei, who works as a Quality Team Leader at Apata Ltd Cool Stores in Whangarei, is currently studying part-time a Level 3 Business Line Management course at NorthTec’s Raumanga campus.

A workmate had introduced her to the Level 3 National Certificate in Business (First Line Management) course at NorthTec, tutored by Phil Alexander-Crawford, and the skills she has picked up have enhanced her ability to communicate with Apata staff in her day to day work. “It is important for me to be learning and to help others to communicate better at work,” she explained.

It is not only Mei who is studying at NorthTec but a number of members of her whanau. Her partner, George, daughter Sophie, her nephew Fred Russell and Fred’s sister Te Aheinga are all enrolled at NorthTec. Mei’s partner, George, has, after graduating from the Foundation Studies programme moved on to study for a Certificate in Te Reo Maori before training as a teacher.

Mei’s niece, Te Aheinga, is studying Hospitality at NorthTec’s Kaikohe Learning Centre and Fred and Sophie are both part of NorthTec’s MyStart programme with Fred studying Automotive Engineering and Sophie is studying Elementary Construction.

Fred and Sophie both say the MyStart programme at NorthTec has opened their eyes to the many career options available to them.

School is something Mei freely admits did not work out for her daughter and nephew and that they would not be alone. “The thing about the young ones”, says Mei,” is that they need to get themselves motivated, and by studying what they enjoy is a big plus. It gives them some perspective on where they want to be heading with their own lives.”

Fred is certainly lapping up what he has been involved with on the Automotive Engineering course on MyStart. He and his peers have been constructing their own mini bikes which he said has been exciting and has learnt welding and a range of metal skills while on the course. At present, he is working on the petrol tank for his mini bike demonstrating great enthusiasm and pride in his project.

A taste of automotive engineering has him wanting to follow this as a career option. “He’s good with his hands, he’ll go well,” Mei remarked.

Meanwhile, Sophie thinks it is “pretty neat” that Mum has made the commitment to study at NorthTec to improve herself and is a role model to her and a leading example for other parents.

This Saturday between 9am and 5pm at NorthTec’s Raumanga campus in Whangarei a Market Day is being held to showcase the talented work of this year’s Maori students.

Organised by Te Puna O te Matauranga and Te Ma Kete o Te Wananga, the Market Day will be great fun and entertainment for the whole family with an assortment of stalls, a Māorioke singing contest, a special performance by up and coming New Zealand reggae band Unknown Peace, and the work of the Reo students proudly on display.

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