"I was getting bullied so left."
Roaming aimlessly, Annastasia says her mum got her enrolled her in Career Network and she has since gained a heap of NCEA credits as well as completing a Barista course.
"Mum found out I was bumming around so she hooked me up with the course. Best thing I ever did. It's so cool. The tutors are really good and help you sort out what you want to do."
She now has her NCEA Level 1 and a National Certificate. Her dream is to one day open her own cafe.
"I'd really like to have my own cafe in the future."
Demetre Mare left school a year ago because he felt his school focused more on producing rugby players than helping those struggling in the classroom. He left with 12 NCEA Level 1 credits and has since gained about 56 credits through Career Network.
The programme has helped him remain focused, Demetre says.
"It's so much better than school here. They help you focus and there is more one on one time. There are no distractions," he says.
Warren Khan also left school last year, disillusioned by his school years.
"I was sick of school."
Since signing up with Career Network, Warren has gained two national certificates - barista and food hospitality.
He is now aiming for his bar managers licence even though he plans to head to "Aussie" to be come a miner in the future.
"I need more credits," he says.
He has also found the course extremely helpful.
"It's just awesome. They give you options. The tutors are so helpful. They can help you find work through Pathfinders. At school I found they just focused on the smart kids. We need jobs too though."
Career Network is sited on the corner of Hinemoa and Hinemaru Sts and offers a range of services and programmes for those seeking work from training to advice on career choices and employment options.
General manager Burnadette Payne says they don't just offer training programmes for youth but advice and training to older job or career seekers.
They help people sort out their CV as well as find where they want to be in the future work wise.
With Rotorua being a tourism destination they do offer hospitality courses on site including a bar manager's licence, Licensing Controller Qualification, Barista skills as well as Hospitality and Food Safety courses and computer courses.
Pathways is a programme designed for youth to complete NCEA Levels 1 and 2.
"This provides the foundation for their career choice ... we individualise the programme for them. It's about getting them focused and concentrating on where they want to be in the future."
Directions is another programme they offer which helps people plan for the future and how to get there whether that be through attending a Waiariki Institute of Technology course, Burnadette says.
"If people don't know what they want to do we sit down and help them through a career assessment so they can achieve their career path."
Career Network also offers a hands-on-experience training programme so clients can gain skills or refresh their customer service skills and interview skills. There is a cafe on site where barista students get to make and service coffee to customers.
"It's about supporting people into work," she says.
If you are job ready, Job Network is your next step where staff support clients into work.
If you would like to enquire about programmes please call (07) 348 4894.