"This course has been a really useful stepping stone for me as I came in not knowing anything at all and now I have been taught enough to move on to an apprenticeship.
"Without coming to Waiariki, it would have been much harder to find an apprenticeship."
Chance said he knew school was not for him as he preferred more hands on, practical learning.
"I've learnt a lot here at Waiariki because although there are theoretical aspects, most of it is practical and caters to the way I learn best.
"It goes to show, just because you don't do well at high school, it doesn't mean you can't make something of your life, you just need to know what you want to do and how to get there."
Mrs Smith said if it was not for Waiariki Institute of Technology, Chance would not be where he was today.
"Waiariki has truly been a saviour for Chance, I don't know how he would have been given this apprenticeship without the skills Waiariki has taught him."
Carpentry tutor Ray Ellis was rapt at Chance's progress.
"We see a lot of students like Chance who come into their own on our carpentry course. Waiariki fosters younger, practical learners and shows them that learning takes many different forms.
"At the end of the day, the students' future is up to them but it is up to Waiariki to support and offer guidance."