Kingsley Gerrard
Kingsley Gerrard was working full-time at Countdown when he decided it was time to return to study. “All my family have low paying jobs, but I wanted something better than that,” he says.
So he looked to Ara, where he’d previously done a personal trainer course. “I really enjoyed that, so I checked out their other options. I wanted to use my hands and I liked the idea of a trade because they’re always in demand and they pay well.”
Kingsley settled on Ara’s Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate in Plumbing, Gasfitting and Drainlaying through He Toki. As he’d hoped, the course was hands-on with interesting course content and “the tutors were awesome”. During his time at Ara he attended Wednesday wananga and enjoyed regular student BBQs.
Kingsley reckons his course prepared him well for the workplace and he was grateful for all the support he received at Ara. “I felt very supported inside and outside of the classroom. I got help to create a CV and help with finding work, which has resulted in me getting an apprenticeship.”
He also received financial assistance to buy tools through He Toki’s Learner Support Fund, which is specifically for Maori students. And recently he was nominated for Ara’s Eku Panuku student awards.
Kingsley encourages other Maori to get into study. “100% - do it! I’m really enjoying my apprenticeship and I’m excited that in four years I’ll be a qualified plumber and can then look to work for myself. I’m proud to be the first person in my family to gain a qualification.”