With her hands full raising six children and two grandchildren, Kat Delves of Te Atihaunui a Papārangi, Ngāti Tūwharetoa and Ngāti Whātua descent, wanted to be a good role model for her whānau.
“I wanted to show my family that hard work pays off,” she says.
Despite being out of school for a number of years Kat was determined to enrol in National Certificate in Security (Site Security), which is jointly delivered by the Horowhenua Learning Centre and UCOL.
She says she was nervous at first but with the support of her tutors and classmates was soon thriving in her new learning environment. “My lecturers took the time to individually know each and every one of us. If it wasn’t for them we all wouldn’t have been able to juggle our busy lives, families and study.”
Kat says there were many highlights of her experience at UCOL but she especially enjoyed the practical involvement and being able to make industry connections while studying. “Writing on paper and learning in class was a great insight into the theory but getting out there and actually doing it was awesome. We learnt so much!”
Before even finishing the course, Kat impressed the Manager of First Security when he came to visit her class. Showcasing her skills and knowledge, Kat was quickly asked for an interview where she was then offered a full time position.
Kat credits her tutor Arnie Tulloch for the great knowledge and industry experience he passed onto her class. “I am also grateful to UCOL for informing me about an iwi grant I was able to access during my study.”
Loving her new job and excited about being a graduate, Kat continues to set goals for the future.
“I hope to one day have a job in Customs and Border Control but at the moment I am happy in my job and being a great role model for my whānau; and I wish all future students good luck, too.”
First Security is New Zealand’s leader in security services, with 1,800 staff members and 140 patrol vehicles. From home to business – local or nationwide – First Security offers personalised service across the country’s largest integrated security network.