Good Practices
From Work Ready Kāpiti to a building apprenticeship
“There’s no doubt it helped me to get where I am now. Doing the programme was the sole reason that I was offered work experience during the holidays, which led to me being offered a building apprenticeship. Without taking part in this programme none of this would have happened.” – Damien Doyle
Damien is a recent high school graduate who participated in the Work Ready Kāpiti (WRK) in 2020. He ended up winning the best Kāpiti Work Ready Passport by achieving the highest score, as well as excelling in his interview to pass the WRK programme. He is currently an apprentice at Pzazz Building, which he secured through his involvement with WRK.
Q & A with Damien
What was your favourite part?
I enjoyed the employer interviews, here I got to meet a number of employers and talk through different career paths.
Was there something that really stood out to you?
During the #Employer Meet events, quite a few students were nervous about doing the interviews. But the employers made you feel comfortable and helped you gain the skills needed to interview for a job. The programme gives you the chance to practice the skills you have learnt over the year and you gain feedback on what you did well and what you can improve so that you are better prepared when you have to attend a real job interview.
What skills do you think you learnt through the programme?
The programme made me think through all aspects of gaining a job. At the beginning of 2020, I was unsure of what career path I would take, doing the Kāpiti Work Ready Passport helped me with my career decision.
What did you find difficult? And how did you overcome them?
I am not a great fan of writing but understood the need to work through the process to get to the end goal.
What motivated you to keep going?
To see what was ahead for me in 2021 and beyond.
How do you think WRK’s programme helped you to get where you are now?
There’s no doubt it helped me to get where I am now. Doing the programme was the sole reason that I was offered work experience during the holidays which led to me being offered a building apprenticeship. Without taking part in this programme none of this would have happened.
Where do you see yourself in five years? Did WRK affect this?
The Work Ready Kapiti passport gave me a foot in the door, the rest is now up to me. Where will I be in five years….. a fully qualified builder, I reckon! For more information about WRK, visit www.workreadykapiti.com