National Student of the Year Winner Inspires Others
September, 2016
Being on a benefit is not the only option. That was the simple but effective message delivered to a group of Work and Income clients recently, at a seminar designed to inspire and encourage job seekers towards training or employment.
Tertiary education provider Training For You presented to the group, bringing real life examples of those who had progressed themselves from benefit reliance to successful employment status.
Carrissa Brown, Tutor at Training For You, is leading her organisation’s newly-launched ‘Skills For Success (Whākamana Mahi)’ programme. The programme is delivered at the Whanganui campus, and offers a range of upskilling units specific to achieving employment. Learners on ‘Skills For Success’ have the opportunity to complete a First Aid certificate, gain a restricted driver’s license, and Health and Safety accreditation. The 13-week programme includes work experience hours, one-on-one life coaching, and increased numeracy and literacy. Other aspects of the course include employment essentials such as CV writing, communication in the workplace, and employee rights.
ex-Work and Income client herself, Carrissa is a good example of someone who, in her own words, has “had mountains to climb” but has overcome them through education, training and employment. As a solo parent, Carrissa began training on an early childhood education pathway, while working part-time with PAUA (Early Childhood Home Based Education Service). She is now qualified as a tertiary educator, and until recently has tutored the Training For You Business Administration & Computing programmes.
now focuses on supporting people to make positive change in their lives, through Skills For Success. Taking the role modelling further, Carrissa also manages a part-time enterprise. Alongside her business partner Sandy Brown, together they make, promote and sell Tranquility Healing Balms and Creams, a beautiful range of naturally produced skin products, specially make with Kawakawa.
Accompanying Carrissa at the seminar was ex-Work and Income client and Training For You graduate Thelma Scanlon. Thelma is the sole parent of eleven children, and has recently welcomed her eighteenth grandchild. As a qualified business administrator, Thelma enjoys passing on her story of achievement, capturing her philosophy in the words, “I aspire to inspire, before I expire.”
In 2012, Thelma was a solo Mum, struggling with low-self-esteem, limited confidence and a tight budget when she decided change was needed. After having coped with a string of adversities throughout her personal life, the final catalyst came with the passing of a loved one, and the future that she felt she had lost. Aged 50, she decided to improve her situation, and realised that a return to education was key.
Knowing she was good with numbers, Thelma initially approached the Training For You Business Administration and Computing course with a view to working in accountancy, but soon discovered skills in a range of areas. She completed her Level 2 qualification then went on to achieve Level 3 – a huge success for someone who had left secondary school 35 years earlier without so much as a School Certificate.
In 2014, she was honoured with the ITENZ Student of the Year award – a national endorsement contested by tertiary providers from all around New Zealand, and one she is extremely proud of. “My time at Training For You helped me to regain not only my self-confidence, but my sense of who and what I am. I walked through Training For You’s door with no national certificates and walked out with NCEA Levels 1, 2 and 3 as well as the National Certificate in Business Administration and Computing, Levels 2 and 3.”
Thelma now enjoys an important position as the Office Administrator at Castlecliff Primary School.
“I came to Training For You with nothing, and came away with a profession.”.
She credits work experience hours at the school, and the faith of Principal Katherine Ellery, “The work experience helped me to get a foot in the door, and this was due to the belief that my wonderful boss Katherine Ellery has in me.”
Now, Thelma’s children have access to more opportunities such as swimming lessons and representative sports programmes. “I can say I am no longer dependant on a benefit, and my whānau are proud of their mum for this fact.”
Her success story is as real as they come, “My dream has been realised and I love my job.”
Carissa Brown’s message is another simple, uplifting directive, “Your history doesn’t define your future.”
