Bakery apprentices Aly and Alecia are exploring new horizons and enjoying the confidence boost after the doubleheader win of completing a pre-trade bakery course. After their combined success, the pair were offered a bakery apprenticeship at PAK’nSAVE Riccarton.
The pair recently completed a 12-week Skills4Work Introduction to the World of Baking pre-trade bakery course, which has equipped them with foundational baking skills and the soft skills and drive to succeed in their chosen field.
Skills4Work, originally a part of Foodstuffs North Island, is among a handful of Private Training Establishments (PTE) accredited to deliver the baking qualification and the only NZQA-accredited PTE for butchery training in New Zealand.
Aly and Alecia completed the Skills4Work Fresh Foods Training Facility course in Christchurch and are rapt about how it’s transformed their lives.
Aly was working as a kitchen hand for a Thai restaurant and decided to put her name down for the course after spotting an ad while scrolling through Facebook.
“I thought it was a scam at first, but I did a bit more research, and it seemed legit, so I just went for it,” Aly said.
“I wanted to find a career path that would help me keep learning and developing. I’ve always been interested in baking, and the idea of career progression and being able to create something from scratch appealed. So, when I saw the ad, I decided to do something.”
Alecia was also looking for work, and after being referred to the course to help build her confidence, she almost didn’t recognise herself. Neither did Matt Rudduck, PAK’nSAVE Riccarton’s bakery manager, who was delighted to see Aly and Alecia's progress while working in the bakery department.
“The transformation in Alecia is unbelievable, and she happily interacts with the entire team as she goes about her shift, carrying out daily tasks, learning from others, asking questions and helping out when needed,” shared Ruddock.
Aly has similarly benefited from the confidence boost she received after completing the course.
“It’s given me the confidence I’ve needed and how to work well in a team,” described Aly.
Aly explained that she had always been the quiet one in the corner, and the course helped her develop confidence and skills to work and connect with her team.
Aly and Alecia were grateful for all the opportunities that had opened up at Skills4Work and PAK’nSAVE Riccarton.
“It’s so much fun, I love what I do, and I’m just so thankful to PAK’nSAVE Riccarton and Skills4Work for giving us a chance and a new direction.”
Alecia agreed, adding that she’d felt welcomed and proud of what she had been able to achieve already.
“I’m always seeing improvements from Aly and Alecia, and it’s positive to see them living our values every day, maintaining consistency, and working hard,” explained Ruddock.
Tamai Roff, the CEO of Skills4Work, was delighted the organisation was helping people who come through their pre-trade programmes and supporting businesses needing good, hard-working, work-ready employees.
“Skills4Work has been a long-time partner of Foodstuffs South Island, offering learning and development opportunities across our co-op, so this course is an extension of what has always been a fruitful relationship,” said Roff.
Roff said that the programme not only equipped students with the ready-to-work skills they needed but developed, supported, and trained them to be the best they could be whilst matching them to businesses where they can thrive.
Kelly Chapman, Learning and Development Business Partner, Foodstuffs South Island, shared that it was a wonderful initiative that showcased opportunities for meaningful work with the Foodstuff co-operative.
