Mark Harman steers kids into work

When it comes to offering young people a hand, the search ends with Mark Harman.
Mr Harman, 31, owns Harman Automotive in Papamoa and has supported Mount Maunganui College's Gateway programme for the past four years.
The programme was designed to give Year 12 and 13 students the opportunity to experience work environments during school hours.
Students spend one day a week for 10 weeks at a workplace environment, learning about the industry and getting experience.
About two or three times a year, the college's Gateway co-ordinator, Geoff Walker, contacts Mr Harman, who always accepted new recruits.
Mr Harman said it was important to support people coming into the trade.
"It's the young guys who need a bit of helping out ... if I hadn't been given a chance I don't know where I would be now," Mr Harman said.
"I hate the idea of spending three grand at polytech and after three months the person realises 'this isn't for me', so I encourage them to get out there and volunteer.
"You've got to work for free for a little while, if it comes to the crunch," Mr Harman said.
Having a reliable person to turn to when students were interested in getting into the automotive industry was a god-send, said Mr Walker.
"Every time I ring him up, he is a really welcoming employer.
"I feel quite embarrassed asking him all the time but it's so much easier having someone who is so accommodating and supportive ... not once he's said 'no', even though it must be an inconvenience for him."
In the four years Mr Harman had been involved with the Gateway programme, about half a dozen students had spent time at his workshop. Some of the students had been "less than desirable" but most he would invite back.
Ex-Mount Maunganui College student, Ben Gaskell, 18, went through the Gateway programme about two years ago.
He spent 15 weeks at Harman Automotive and was soon offered a job.
Mr Harman said Mr Gaskell was "one of the lucky ones".
"The thing about this industry, it's important to volunteer.
"Got to do it to get your name out there.
"With the likes of Ben, he is a young capable guy and his family have been customers here for a while.
"It's hard though, because you want to help them out but there are not many positions going."
Mr Gaskell said it was "pretty good" working at Harman Automotive.
He enjoyed the job because he was "always learning" and it was "different every day".
"Yeah I enjoy working here ... [Mr Harman] is a cool boss."
Mr Gaskell said Mount Maunganui's Gateway programme prepared him for work in the real world. "I was 16 when I left school and I didn't know what I wanted to do. I got into this because my dad has cars," he said. "A few other people I know have gone through the Gateway programme as well and it's pretty good ... it's helped me out."
Mr Harman opened his automotive shop about seven years ago. He lives in Rotorua and commutes to Papamoa each day.
Mr Harman said he had a supportive wife and two children, aged 3 and 6, who encouraged him to follow his automotive dreams. "I don't get a lot of spare time but when I do, I like to spend as much time as I can with my family ... I'm very lucky."