Transition to work complete
The future is looking good for 17-year-old Mark Lange, and he knows who he has to thank for that. At the top of the list is Taipa Area School.
His building apprentice wasn’t simply given to him, he said; he had a helping hand.
“I was uncertain of what I wanted my future to look like,” he added. “All I knew was that by passing NCEA everything should be okay.
“My cousin, who I admire, is a builder, giving me the idea of wanting to become one as well. Unfortunately there was no technology teacher at Taipa Area School until the end of the year, and I thought there was no hope for me.”
Things began looking up when he was introduced to the careers adviser, part of the school’s new Careers Transition Team, who guided him on to the Gateway programme.
“I was shown a programme called BCITO (the largest provider of construction trade apprenticeships in New Zealand), and started a building programme at NCEA Level 3.
“It was the start of my journey, not only to getting Level 3 credits but getting a taste of what work life is all about. Luckily for me, Glen Bradbury, the owner of Coastal Homes (Cooper’s Beach), welcomed me to his team as a work experience worker.”
Getting to where he was now had not been easy. He had needed focused mindset, determination, willpower and commitment, but some “amazing” teachers — Braden Carruthers (physical education), Aileen Lowe (English) and many more — had kept him going.
“Once the programme was over and the year was done, all my hard work and determination finally paid off,” Mark said.
“Glen Bradbury offered me an apprenticeship, and from that day I knew my life was going to change. I couldn’t be more happy with the outcome. I enjoy my job, I am learning and growing in this big world.”