2023 Youth to Work Award Winners
Danelle Buckland, Owner of Viva Hair Design – Education, Training and Work Experience Provider
Her nominator said “Danelle and her employees Amy and Jess are amazing when it comes to giving our local students work experience. When it comes to finding work experience placements for students, Danelle is more than happy to help. This year alone she took on 3 students and helped them get amongst experiencing a day in the life of a possible career pathway, as well as helping them out with their unit standards for NCEA. Without businesses like these giving our students work experience, the Gateway Programme would not be the success that it is.”
Evergreen Plumbing – Employer Award
Their nominator said “Evergreen plumbing have 4 apprentices who are working hard to complete their qualifications, they will all walk away with 3 different trades at the end of their 5-year journey. The company is supportive of their learning journey and provide additional night lessons to enhance their skills, subside their travel to trade school and invest in their growth and development. The team of 12 work together to provide top notch plumbing services, and the experienced team take their time to pass on their knowledge and skills, so the apprentices receive the best possible training. The directors all have the same vision to support and grow our next generation of young achievers as it benefits the whole community.”
Silver Fern Farms – Employer Award
Their nominator said “Silver Ferns Farms Hāwera uphold their core values – Improving tomorrow, always caring, and unstoppable together. These epitomise who the company is and what they are about. Silver Ferns Farms won Plant of the year in 2022 and are well known in the local community for the pastoral care they provide when it comes to employment, recruitment and retention of staff. They offer career opportunities throughout the plant and are constantly upskilling their staff. As well as this they work incredibly hard to create a positive work culture, this includes events such as Whanau day, providing hangi dinner for Matariki, and regular staff BBQs. As well as looking after staff, Silver Fern Farms supports a wide range of community and school organisations as they believe it is important to give back to the community.”
Patrick Pullen, Silver Fern Farms – Te Pae Tawhiti Award
Patrick started at Silver Fern Farms in 2016 a meat worker role but stood out as someone with real potential in the organisation. An opportunity has arisen for him to take on an important role of production coordinator and he has managed the transition well, carrying a significant level of responsibility. His nominator said “Patrick can trace his whakapapa through Wai O Turi marae and is still close to his marae to this day. His parents John and Trish, and several members of his whanau work here at the plant, so it has really become a family tradition. Patrick has all the right attributes to continue to develop his career path with Silver Fern Farms to whatever field he chooses. He is well respected by staff and management at all levels.”
Nicola van der Westhuizen, Silver Fern Farms – Young Achiever Award
Nicola cast a new and welcome light on a male dominated maintenance team at Silver Fern Farms when she began an electrical apprentice in 2021. She set out a career goal and is well on her way to achieving that, she is keen on progressing into a management role with the maintenance team and continue to learn and grow her knowledge about the plant. Her nominator said “In addition to her qualifications, she believes the life skills she has learned have been invaluable, working with different people, cultures and ages. Once a very shy, quiet girl, she is now a confident and capable member of the team, and we are proud to nominate her for this award.”
Lyta McMillian, Cut and Dried - Young Achiever Award
Lyta has just completed her hairdressing apprenticeship and has been achieving amazing results throughout.
Her nominator said “She is always eager to learn by watching other stylists, doing online training courses and in salon training, and supporting the other stylists as well. She has also been a great role model for WITT students we have had in for work experience by helping them with the basics of hairdressing.”
Jack Tamakehu, Patea Butchery – Young Achiever Award
Jack began his apprenticeship with Patea Butchery in March this year. He has settled in really well, having completed many of his units already and mastering some critical butchery skills. His nominator said “He is gaining confidence in both his skills and customer service. Jack is always pleasant and smiling and a very dedicated worker. He is an excellent example of a local young man who has taken advantage of an opportunity to work and learn in his hometown.” Well done, Jack!
Rhiannon Tito – Young Achiever Award (Te Whatu Ora Taranaki)
Rhiannon is the medical administrator at the GP Practise at Hāwera Hospital. She works with a diverse group of people in a patient facing reception and interacts with a multidisciplinary team of clinicians. Her nominator said “This is a role that takes a lot of courage, resilience and professionalism and Rhiannon has excelled! Since the first day she has been reliable and willing to learn. As she grows and learns she actively looks to take on more challenges which has been appreciated by our entire team. One of the things our clinicians really appreciate about Rhiannon is that she doesn’t shy away from hard mahi. There is a lot of juggling in her role, and she manages to stay kind and helpful while engaging with challenges. She excels with a smile, kindness, and diligence. She shines as a young person doing amazing work.”
