Lyn Gulliard, Careers Advisor at Waimea College, says the NMIT Employment Scholarships Scheme is fantastic.
"Students are not only getting a job but also the opportunity for a qualification too."
And she believes it makes the prospect of entering the workplace for the first time a lot less daunting.
Nayland College's Careers Advisor Margaret McCorkindale also thinks the NMIT Employment Scholarships are an excellent programme.
"We've been involved since the scheme's inception and can see that it works out well for both students and employers. It's good for students because it gives them employment, income and tertiary education - and the employer gets a trainee that suits their firm."
Chelsea Brook joined the Employment Scholarship Programme at NMIT because it is local, offered a great programme that suited her busy, sporty lifestyle and enabled her to have friends and family around for support. Chelsea started her National Certificate in Business Administration Level 3, passed with flying colours and progressed to Level 4 the next year. Chelsea is planning to go on and study the National Diploma in Business Administration Level 5. “I love the people that I work with at Opus and the relationships that I have developed. It is such a great team environment. I also like how my job is forever changing. There are no two days that are the same,” she says. Chelsea is enthusiastic about her NMIT classes as well. “Being able to earn while you learn is a really key point for me because I have a busy life and not having a student loan is fantastic. Learning the Business Administration programme has allowed me to directly apply the knowledge in my job.” There are extra benefits to coming to class says Chelsea. “It is great having people in the same industry as you to share knowledge with and also give new ideas and solutions to problems we may encounter.” Chelsea’s supervisor, Katrina Tolund, sees benefits for OPUS. “I like the Employment Scholarship Programme because it complements our own training by filling in tacit knowledge gaps. In a business sector that values professionals, this scheme provides confidence, self esteem and an ability to work with other professionals.”