
Fourteen people on community sentences in Otago have increased their job prospects through completing a new two-day work ready course.
At the end of the two days, 12 participants had completed their NZQA First Aid certificate, 14 their Sitesafe Passport, and 12 people completed their NZQA Risk Management certificate. Nine participants completed all three qualifications.
“We chose to focus on learning areas which we know employers will find useful and increase participants’ skills to give them an advantage in the job market,” says Otago Service Manager Cathryn Elsworthy.
“All these courses are well recognised and appreciated by prospective employers.”
Otago Area Employment & Training Consultant Christine Crawford says this was a great achievement for participants and they should all be hugely proud of themselves.
“It was great to see everyone - especially those who struggle with self-esteem - move outside their comfort zone, sit in a classroom and learn. We could see their confidence grow through the course.”
One woman and her partner, who both attended the course, commented that they were worried about sitting through full on courses in a classroom but that they really enjoyed it and learned lots.
Another, a woman who had recently been released from prison, said she was very grateful of the opportunity and the late call up for the training. She said it was an awesome two days and will be hugely beneficial to a job she was about to start.
Christine says a large part of the success of the course was due to Probation and Community Work staff who motivated people to engage with the training.
Community Work Supervisor Nick Horn, who attended both days and supported the participants in their learning, said those who attended all three courses were really engaged.
“I think it was a good format. The three courses linked nicely together and all were relevant to each other.”
“Everyone really benefitted from the learning and we’re excited to see what the future holds for them,” he says.
Are you a interested in a career as a Probation Officer?
Probation officers (Āpiha Matakana) motivate and encourage people in our management to make positive changes in their lives and ensure they comply with their community-based sentences and orders.
Their work often means working closely with offenders’ whānau, programme facilitators and community work supervisors as well as other agencies including Work and Income, The Salvation Army, and Oranga Tamariki.
Learn more and help improve the wellbeing of others today!

Ngā kākano mo āpōpō (the seeds of tomorrow)
Establishing a pro-social lifestyle and securing sustainable employment is a major challenge for many people in prison upon their release.

National Māori Student Nurses Hui 2021
‘Te Rākeitanga o Tōku Korowai hei Āhuru Mōwai Mōku - Adorning my cloak as a sheltered haven for me,' was the kaupapa for the National Māori Student Nurses Hui in Rotorua last month.