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One of the first partnerships generated by our new ED&EM service has resulted in a remarkable transformation for one young man. The James Cook High School year 13 student went into the programme with Wiri-based business Nauhria Precast as a student least likely to stand out due to his shyness.

As part of the programme Nauhria Managing Director Roshan Nauhria built up such confidence in the young man, he phoned Roshan on the weekend and asked him if he would have lunch.

Lunch ensued and the following day so did a full-time job offer to work towards being a machine operator at Nauhria, while completing a Level 2 NZQA qualification in manufacturing as he goes. ED&EM (Education and Employment) is a service delivered by the Auckland Business Chamber in partnership with the Ministry of Development and Ministry of Education. It is all about building strong relationships with and between employers and Auckland schools to help connect students with the world of work and vocational pathways.

James Cook High School was one of the first schools to be partnered up with a business, bringing together 10 students from a wide range of backgrounds and abilities.

Roshan and Group General Manager Elaine Rodrigues visited the school and had a weekly lunch with the students over a 12-week programme. It culminated with the students making a site visit to Nauhria headquarters where their high-quality Precast Concrete and Reinforcing Steel products are manufactured.

The visit paired each student with a Nauhria representative who could help the young person in the area of interest. That involved touring specific areas of the site while talking through aspects of particular roles at the company.

The school’s Head of Careers Lindsay Knipe says the programme was a huge success and he is keen to get involved with other employers. Eventually, he would like to bring his entire Year 13 cohort through the programme.

“The link with industry builds a bridge,” he says. “Roshan brought out confidence in the students and as the visits progressed, they were very happy to engage.”

Another student gained a part-time job which will support her during her nursing training. Others now have new ideas of what vocational pathways they can pursue next year.

ED&EM Service Manager Ines Roberts went along to the site visit and also saw the transformation in the students throughout the afternoon alone. “We noticed that when the students arrived at Nauhria they had a bit of cold feet and everyone was a little nervous. But once the students were partnered up with Nauhria staff, the mood changed and they came back from their mentoring sessions smiling brightly, motivated and keen to learn more.”

Some students became fascinated by the machinery involved with producing concrete and wanted to investigate manufacturing further.

“The visit both created and confirmed ideas,” Ines says. “Another learning was how careers are not set in stone. They can take such twists and turns. Knowing this helps take the scariness out of their first choice for young people. They realised it didn’t have to be a life sentence” says Ines.

Elaine Rodrigues says Nauhria is very keen to be involved again in the future with more students. “ED&EM really aligned with our values. It is a superb initiative and more companies need to do it.”