Seminar inspired fibre optics

Duane Awa never thought of a career in fibre optics and says many of his mates never thought about a career at all.

The MAC rugby club Premier hooker had worked at the meat works and Tumu Timbers but was impressed by a seminar Henare O'Keefe organised for the team about the work opportunities at lines company Unison.

The seminar, delivered to 12 people in 2010, was a joint initiative between the U-Turn Trust, MAC Rugby and Unison Contracting Services Ltd (UCSL).

"None of the guys at the seminar had ever thought about trying to get a job at Unison. But when I got the chance to hear more about the opportunities in the company, I thought it would be worth applying if something came up."

Mr Awa said a lack of self-confidence often prohibited people like him from approaching companies like lines company Unison for employment.

"I know a lot of guys who would love to work in an organisation like this, but they just don't know how to approach a company or even have the confidence to put themselves forward."

He applied for the next job advertised but was unsuccessful.

UCSL Chief Executive Charles Kaka said Mr Awa didn't have the skills needed for the advertised position "but he was just so positive and eager to learn that we knew he would be a great asset to Unison."

The father of three, including twin boys, was offered a 12-month cadetship and completed three months each with the company's vegetation, lines, and fibre teams.

"It was a lot to take in over three months. There was just so much to learn. It was also interesting working within the different teams. The way they all work together to get a job done is amazing," he said.

It was the fibre that sparked his interest the most.

"To be honest when I heard about fibre optics I thought it was something I would need to go away and study for four years to do but, once I had the opportunity to get some hands-on experience working with fibre, it all made sense and came quite naturally to me. I just needed the confidence to give it a go, and to listen and try to learn as much as I could."

Learning the language of the electricity industry in English was at first a challenge.

"Maori is my first language, so it took a little time to get used to communicating in English, especially with the technical terminology of the job," he said.

He is now a permanent employee and says he is grateful to the U-Turn Trust and Unison for giving him a whole new career.

"There are a lot of really great workers out there who would appreciate an opportunity like I have had."