Mentors inspire bright futures
Toroa Career Navigator students Dacarna Aberhart, Ainsley Turner and Roimata Hunia with course co-ordinator Craig Harper, far left, and panel members Ian Martella, far right, Anita Vincent and Danyon Fairweather. Photo: William Woodworth.
An apprentice chef has stepped up to show Marlborough’s up-and-coming workforce the power of perseverance.
Danyon Fairweather is a mentor with the free Toroa Career Navigator course run by Graeme Dingle.
Taking part in a panel last week, alongside fellow mentors Ian Martella and Anita Vincent, Danyon spoke openly, encouraging young people to find their purpose.
“I was on borderline of being a statistic, with my future being either in and out of prison or dead – and the biggest lesson I want to give them is that despite anything in your upbringing or your past, you find purpose in doing work you enjoy,” he says.
“Personally, it’s about showing these kids the power of perseverance and looking after your own mental health, because giving up should not be an option for our kids.”
The initiative engages unemployed young people from 15 to 24 years old to prepare them for the workplace.
Each course member works with their mentors to put a career action plan in place and work on a portfolio.
Combined with workshops, industry visits and guest speaker presentations, local support has been invaluable says, Toroa programme co-ordinator Craig Harper.
“We get a great buy-in, with panels of people from across employment experiences and inspirations for our course participants because they want to see these kids succeed.
“It’s a huge variety of interests that these kids have, so panel members are potential employers but also it means they can see that everyone has their own pathway to employment.”
“I enjoy hearing stories of people, because everyone has one and it shows other people that there’s more than just one way forward,” Ian says.
He spoke about believing he was bad at maths through high school until beginning his electrician apprenticeship.
WineWorks HR Manager Anita Vincent says she hopes her story is an inspiration.
“I was in their shoes - not sure what I wanted to do, on the benefit, then working at Subway.”
“Working at Subway remains one of my fondest workplaces and launching pads into my career now.”