From solo mum to Wintec business ākonga to Wintec kaimahi

Caroline Stretch worked at Countdown for 20 years when an injury made her rethink her career and prompted her to make a change. 

While at Countdown, Caroline had gained her liquor licence, first aid certificate, food hygiene certificates and forklift licence. These were the only qualifications she had out of school.

A career change would mean retraining, while still undergoing extensive surgery. 

During this time, advertising for Wintec | Te Pūkenga, New Zealand Certificate in Business (administration and Technology) Level 3 kept popping up on her social media and while she was out and about. So, with the assistance of ACC she enrolled as a 40-year-old student.

Caroline was also a single mum to two boys while working at Countdown before meeting her now husband, George, who encouraged her to make the career change.

“I was 19 when I had my children. My family helped me raise my two sons, so that as a solo mum of two I could work successfully and have an amazing support network.”

Caroline started her journey with Wintec in 2020. 

“I never expected to enjoy and understand studying as much as I did. The class I most enjoyed, as it gave me the most challenge and engagement, was learning Excel and Microsoft Office. My tutor was thorough and clear, and I appreciated that as I already felt a bit uncomfortable as an adult learner in the classroom.”

As part of the New Zealand Certificate in Business Level 3 course, ākonga are required to complete 24 hours of hands-on work experience and apply what they have been studying in a work environment. Caroline chose to complete her placement through her whānau business, supporting the whānau with their invoicing and payment processes. This experience has enabled Caroline to achieve her work competently and successfully. 

“I created an invoicing system for A & L Bobcats carting earth and metal. This invoicing system was also used with Gleeson & Cox trucking company while we carted metal for them.

“I enjoyed the program and learnt so much with a high level of passion and enthusiasm I was asked if I would be returning to follow on to study, which I did.”

Caroline also took the opportunity to become a Tuākana for Business level 3 students. Tuākana literally translates to big brother/big sister. Our Tuākana provide non-academic support/mentoring in small flexible whānau groups for new ākonga navigating their first year of study. During this time, she was also given the opportunity to apply for a 0.5 position within the Student Enrolment Information Centre (SEIC) at Wintec City Campus. 

“I was successful in this opportunity while also completing my New Zealand Certificate in Business (Administration and Technology) Level 4. During all this, Covid snuck into Aotearoa and everything went online. Studying was eventful, so was supporting ākonga as part of being a Tuākana and peer tutor as well as SEIC team member. It was during this time I expressed interest in a full-time role for front facing consultant for SEIC. Alongside my 20 years’ experience in the retail industry, and what I had learnt from Business level 3 and 4, I integrated well within the student enrolment team and developed from there. 

“This entailed learning about all the programmes that are delivered at Wintec. During my time with SEIC, I got the opportunity to learn how to enrol and support students of all ethnicities and ages, both with and without disabilities.”

In November 2022, Caroline accepted a new role to work with the Tōia Mai team within Te Pūkenga as Kaiārahi Māori. 

“My new role as Kaiārahi is based within the Māori Achievement Unit. As a team we each implement one or more Tōia Mai initiatives designed to achieve equitable outcomes and Te Tiriti based partnerships. We support upholding the mauri of Te Kōpū Mānia o Kirikiriroa Marae, and run the Māori and Pacific staff forum activities and events throughout the calendar year. 

“Being involved in project-based work is cup-filling for me.”

During her time with Wintec as a student Caroline had her heel rebuilt twice which meant she was in a cast for two six-month periods over a three-year time span. She completed two programmes, offered support as a Tuākana and peer tutor, while working part time as a student enrolment information centre front facing employee. 

“This gave me more drive and passion to thrive in this environment. I never thought I would be given as many amazing opportunities to learn, meet incredible people, consistently learn more outside of the classroom, and passionately enjoy it as much as I do,” Caroline said.

Tōia mai ngā tauira

Tōia mai ngā kaimahi

Tōia mai ngā tāngata nō ngā hau e whā

Tōia mai i runga i te aroha me te rangimārie

Kia mau, kia ita

Haumi e, hui e