SPASIFIK Issue 29 Article

A trade in turf management has seen Samoan Tony Jonas from Rotorua travel the globe working on many of the world’s leading golf courses. His story was among three inspirational stories that launched The Pacific Apprentice at Wellington College, a Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs Initiative aimed at encouraging more Pacific school leavers into trades.

The passion Tony Jonas has had for golf has become his profession as he showed in an impressive speech, complete with visual presentation, at the launch of The Pacific Apprentice at Wellington College in September.

Jonas has travelled the world using his skills as a turf manager, working on projects in Australia, the UK, Europe, the Middle East, the US and Asia. As he says: “Not bad for a Samoan boy from Rotorua”.

“I’ve worked on amazing projects, such as the one in Dubai, and met so many incredible people, like Tiger Woods (Tony is a friend of Steve Williams, Woods’ Kiwi caddie),” he says.

“My parents wanted me to become a doctor or lawyer, but they’re so proud of what I’ve achieved. I may be the first Pacific Islander to do so in this profession, but there’s no reason why more can’t follow me. We work outdoors in some fantastic settings. It suits us down to the ground.”

Tony completed an apprenticeship Trades Certificate in Horticulture and Greenkeeping and a Bachelor’s Degree in Turf Management. His work earns him between $NZD100,000-$150,000 per year and he is now based at Gulf Harbour on Auckland’s North Shore.

“In an apprenticeship you get to really understand what you’re learning. The study and theory go hand-in-hand with the practical.”

Tongan/Samoan hairdresser Natasha Tupou Matahiva Taliauli agrees. As a teenager she knew university wasn’t for her and saw an ad for a oneyear introductory course at Rodney Wayne’s. She went on to taking a modern apprenticeship and a decade later has established herself as one of Wellington’s leading hairdressers.

“There is no better way of learning,” says Natasha, who has won awards as one of Rodney Wayne’s leading stylists.

At the end of the year Taliauli is taking her skills around the world, working on a luxury cruise liner.

“My apprenticeship and qualifi cations in my trade have opened a lot of doors, and the chance to travel the world, and earn money while doing so, was too good to miss.”

While a motor mechanics apprenticeship seems a world away from becoming CEO of the Pacific Business Trust, Richard Reid says it provided the platform that enabled him to establish a career in business.

“I loved cars, and still do, but working in a business got me interested in business Having to study for my certificates gave me an aptitude for studying, which I didn’t have at school. And the beauty of an apprenticeship is that you get paid for it!”

Luamanuvao Winnie Laban, the Minister of Pacific Island Affairs, says the initiative supports the Modern Apprenticeship programme introduced by the government in 2000 to provide a work-based industry training pathway after a decade of declining participation by young people.

Pacific participation in modern apprenticeship accounts for just over 3.30% of the total participation rate, less than half the rate of New Zealand’s Pacific population.

“The Pacific Apprentice is designed to inspire and inform Pacific youth and their families about the pathways to the trades industry. The campaign links our Pacific communities with industry training providers and Pacific trades people who are either successful business owners or have completed their apprenticeship, to help them make more informed career decisions.

“Last year the government exceeded its target of 14,000 Modern Apprentices by the end of 2008 with more than a year to spare. Pacific peoples make up over three per cent of those involved, and we would like to see this increase even further.”

A highly skilled and versatile Pacific workforce is a goal of the Pacific Economic Action Plan and the Pacific Women’s Economic Development Plan, which have a specifi c objective to increase Pacific participation in trades training to at least 6%, with a focus on increasing the participation of Pacific women.

MPIA is leading The Pacific Apprentice initiative and is working with the Tertiary Education Commission, Industry Training Organisations and tertiary education providers.

A resource kit has been developed as part of the campaign that provides details of industry training opportunities and providers, and profiles of successful young Pacific people who are currently enrolled in, or who have completed a trades training programme.

The kit will be promoted at careers expos, secondary schools, tertiary institutes, public libraries and other events.

“The ministry has planned regional seminars in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch throughout 2009 - 2010, to raise awareness within Pacific communities of the Modern Apprentice scheme. Pacific youth and parents will be given opportunities to talk with Industry Training Organisations about trades training as well as hear from Pacific apprentices who have gone through the scheme.”

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