Zjovani Petera is officially the first apprentice to graduate from a referral from the Tamaki Jobs & Skills Hub, a local resource for residents of Glen Innes, Panmure and Point England in east Auckland.
The Tamaki Jobs & Skills Hub is an initiative of the Tamaki Regeneration Company – the organisation that works in partnership with residents and businesses, mana whenua, local and central government agencies, local service providers and the private sector to provide a platform for successful regeneration in Tamaki, east Auckland.
It was established to help job seekers to become work ready by offering support with writing CVs, providing career advice, applying for jobs online, driver licence training, job matching, and mentoring. The range of industries includes construction, logistics, manufacturing, hospitality, retail and administration, among others.
The hub team helped Mr Petera gain his driver’s licence, his Site Safe passport, special vehicles licence and Level 4 qualifications in infrastructure works through his apprenticeship with HEB Construction and training through Connexis, the industry training organisation.
To honour his achievement, the hub team, led by manager Alice Taupau, recently held a graduation dinner for Zjovani at the Panmure Community Hall. Zjovani was supported at the dinner by his wife Makayla Fleet and their 18-month-old son, Makoha, along with his mentor from HEB Construction, Julio Marti Herraiz.
Students from Tamaki College’s trades academy, who the hub helps gain apprenticeships, also attended the dinner, performing an impressive haka to recognise Zjovani’s achievement.
Makayla says Zjovani inspired her to gain further qualifications too, and has since passed her driver’s licence and completed her teaching qualifications.