Cadetship opens path to advanced study

"Keeping your eyes on the road" has new meaning for engineering technician Chris Miller.
After five years working full time at Opus Wanganui and studying, Mr Miller, 23, has completed his graduate diploma in Civil Engineering, and is now working for his applied diploma.
He wants to complete a bachelor's degree at the University of Canterbury. Mr Miller began at Opus Wanganui as a cadet when he was 17.
At first, working all day, then having to study was a bit overwhelming, but after a few semesters of average marks, he soon realised that the harder you study, the better your results.
"To come from school it was quite a jump, but you get used to it," Mr Miller said.
The benefit of working and studying was that a lot of what he learned in theory he could apply during his working hours, and his work helped him better understand his study.
Having just finished designing a velodrome in New Plymouth, and working on a road realignment south of Hawera, it's a challenging but interesting job.
He's had to navigate culverts, kumara pits, cut through paddocks, and in a new step, has become more involved in negotiations with landowners, and using 3D display technology.
"It's really different from what all my other mates are doing, it's just really interesting work. You get a lot of responsibility from early on, which is cool."
Opus Wanganui business manager Jenny Harrison said Chris was one of the first cadets they had taken on in the past five years, and he was an excellent example of how the cadet system could work.
Opus paid all their study costs and their courses, and gave them time to study, she said. It was a serious commitment to Wanganui as well, because it kept young people in Wanganui who might have otherwise left for university.
The cadets were able to study together and support one another.