SENZ Stories of Success

John Afoa

John Afoa was a student with SENZ and we are please to see that from his time at SENZ and transition to the pro sports academy at Auckland Rugby Union that he has risen to be a All Black star and consistent player within the Auckland Blues.  Well done John. 

Warriors Academy Student makes Under 20 development team

Brandon Nixon participated in the SENZ Warriors Academy in 2008.  This year he has been recruited in the Warriors under 20 team and we wish Brandon all the best for his professional league career.

Erin O’Donnell and Katie Paramenter have become qualified teachers.  Erin and Katie attended SENZ and transitioned to Auckland University to pursue their career in teaching.  Both students are now teaching full time and are passing on there knowledge to primary aged school students.  Well done Katie and Erin.

Donna Rakatairi

I accepted Donna onto our employment coaching programme just before Christmas.  Client had low self-esteem due to the break up of her relationship with her partner and having to raise her children on her own.  She has 3 children living at home with her and really wants to get back into work to support her family however because of her confidence levels, lack of computer skills to update her CV and no interview clothing, client was very excited about working with me to give her the start and boost that she needed to be on her way.  After updating the client's CV and confidence building through visiting the client at her home and presenting her with options to help improve her situation, I took the client to Dress for Success.  This was the client's first trip out of South Auckland for about 5 years and client was so grateful for the free interview clothing and the drive out of her normal environment.  Client is now equipped and confident about looking for employment and I look forward to her finding a new job to be independent and provide for her family.

Pehimana McGarvey

Pehimana is a young single mum with one child who hasn't worked since the birth of daughter.  She was once independent of the benefit and found herself ready to get back into the workforce.  Client has call centre and office administration experience so we thought it would be easy to find employment for her.  After 3 months of solid job searching, a Dress for Success visit and countless seminars working with the client we had had two unsuccessful interviews and client was at an end with her confidence levels about getting back into work.  I remained by the client's side, kept in contact weekly and gained an extension from our Clendon Programme Co-coordinator.  After some necessary confidence boosting, client showed her determination by continuing to job search which resulted in her being successful in a part-time call centre role in the city.  It's great to see the client excited about working again and this is only the beginning and as she falls back into the motions of the workforce she will gradually increase her hours to full time and become completely independent again.

Uringarangi O Tangaroa

This client was SPEC from Papakura. Client cant speak English well and because of this barrier she is shy withdrawn. Client has been glad of SENZ intervention as she says she is now aware of her goals and that she should do an ESOL course first. She says SENZ has helped her set her goals and now knows how to go about achieving them.  Client had no idea at all at the start of her program so this is a success for the client.

Rachel Edmonds

Client is an SPOBC client from Pukekohe and she had a job interview a couple of weeks ago. This has been her first interview in 15 years. I had prepped her before her interview and client was ecstatic. I coached her to not get her hopes too high and that if she doesn’t get the job, to take it as a learning experience for the next interview.  Client didn’t get the job and I am proud of the client for not being too upset at it.  She handled it professionally and this is a success for her as she was brave enough to ask the employer for feedback so she can use for future interviews.

Shaun Granich

solo dad two daughters aged 12 years and 9 years, their upbringing and education was his main focus, and looking for a part time job that would fit in between their school hours.
He works for Radiators based in Manukau, not too far from where he lives; this was good because Shaun bikes everywhere. We visited him and saw him at work, a highly skilled and happy worker.