For some secondary school students, work experience can be a chance to make decisions about the future. Paula Newton, Manager of Avery Training in Wellington, hopes to give students a real experience that will help them to decide whether or not a career in the motor industry is for them.
Paula Newton on the job at Avery Training.
|
Paula Newton is a qualified motor mechanic, a registered assessor with the Motor Industry Training Organisation and she manages a registered private training establishment. And she's committed to her work.
"There are people out there who don't even know the basics, like how to change a spare tyre, check their oil or recognise the warning light on the dash. I am motivated in helping those people," says Paula.
Avery Training, is part of the Avery Ford, the Ford dealership in Wellington. It is a registered PTE and offers two courses: one for secondary school students and one for car owners. The student programme, in which the students can earn credits for automotive unit standards on the Framework, has already dealt with around 90 students this year.
Some students have gone on to full time automotive courses or into employment in the automotive industry.
"We are a stepping stone from the education system to the real world of careers," says Paula Newton, "but all students appreciate the opportunity to learn some life skills."
"Some of the students have been very hard work," says Paula, "but teaching them has been really rewarding. Avery Ford is committed to training students as they believe in giving something back to the community."
"There are some very smart young people out there. We're looking forward to welcoming them into our industry. We still have a lack of skilled workers. If we don't invest in training today, what tomorrow is there going to be?"
Paula is a highly motivated woman. This commitment has been evident from her love of fixing and maintaining cars during her own apprenticeship to her current tinkering on her MG. She sees her choice of career path as very rewarding and supportive.
Although Paula's parents were "horrified" on learning of her enrolment in automotive engineering, eight years on they are "happy enough to know it's not a phase."
Avery Training has two tutors teaching secondary students released from local schools to come to the Avery Ford workshops and on-site classrooms, currently located at Avery Ford's Wellington site as well as in Johnsonville and at Stevens Ford in Lower Hutt. Eight schools are involved in the Wellington region.
Avery Training is a self-supporting PTE. "We're not going to make millions," says Paula, "but the rewards are in securing the industry's future, being an active part of the community and making a difference with youth. The automotive industry is taking responsibility for its own training." Douglas Anderson
Students from Wainuiomata College in the Avery Ford workshop. Photos courtesy Avery Training.
|
|
