Nine and a half years ago Rotorua resident Jade Whiteman (27) started his career as as an automotive apprentice at Southpac Trucks.
Since then Whiteman has completed two qualifications through MITO, been promoted to Workshop Supervisor and won a MITO graduate scholarship.
A friend’s tool set spurred him into the automotive industry—and he has never looked back.
“When I was a teenager my friend came over with a chest full of tools, and I thought, I want a tool set just like that! Now I have one that’s worth at least $30,000 more,” says Whiteman.
Southpac Trucks’ Rotorua branch manager Chris Larkin says he is thrilled with Whiteman’s achievements and has been quite taken by his work ethic and workmanship.
“I picked up relatively early on that Jade had a lot of potential, so I have encouraged him to get outside his comfort zone and really push himself.”
Larkin says he enjoys working alongside Whiteman, and is looking forward to seeing him accomplish even more.
“Jade will go in leaps and bounds from here—he has a great future ahead of him!”
The MITO scholarship enabled Whiteman to enrol in the national diploma in applied management (Level 5), which he is currently undertaking at the Open Polytechnic.
“I have completed my first paper in business communications, and I really enjoyed it. The Level 5 qualification is a step up, but I am very pleased with my results so far,” he says.
It has not been the smoothest of journeys for Whiteman—early on in his apprenticeship he broke his leg in a motorcycle accident. The injury meant he was unable to operate in the workshop, so he had to put his National certificate in automotive heavy engineering (road transport) on hold.
Not one to let a setback stand in his way, he made the most of his situation, and while his leg was healing he completed the National certificate in business (first line management) (Level 4), through MITO.
“The first line management qualification helped fast track me into the supervisor position. It has really made me aware of the importance of communication within the organisation,” he says.
Once Whiteman was able to return to the workshop, he completed the automotive heavy engineering qualification, also through MITO.
“This qualification has helped me think outside the square. I can look at any automotive device and understand how it works,” he says.
