Ten years ago, Melissa Hunt started at Wairarapa Care Network as a kitchen hand peeling potatoes and doing the dishes but was able to observe the care and support staff interactions.
“I saw all the fun the attendees and staff were having, so I approached my boss and asked if there was an opportunity for me to progress,” she says.
Melissa says she never saw herself working with the elderly, but now she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Melissa manages Waicare (previously known as Wairarapa Care Network), a place she describes as like an elderly daycare centre. “We do the same sorts of things, games, entertainers, guest speakers, drives out, board games, craft. And they love it!”.
Careerforce graduate Melissa Hunt enjoys singing for the attendees
Her favourite activity to run for the attendees is musical performances, “It’s so engaging for them and brings back many memories”. Melissa herself often joins the performers on stage to sing with them. “My dream was always to be a musician and now I get to sing with them. So I still get to fulfil some of my dream,” she says. “And the attendees love it, they’re always asking when I’m singing next”.
Since that day 10 years ago, Melissa has now completed her New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing Level 2 and Level 3, and then her NZ Apprenticeship in Diversional Therapy (Level 4) through Careerforce. Careerforce is a workplace training provider in the health and wellbeing sector that works alongside employers to help their staff gain qualifications while they continue their work. “I’ve gone from the bottom to the top, it’s been hard work, but I got there,” Melissa says.
Melissa credits the support of her employer in encouraging her studies, “My managers have always given me more opportunities to grow and now as manager, I get to inspire other people to do the same”.
Melissa’s manager encouraged her to begin her studies with a Level 2 Health and Wellbeing qualification, which led to her progressing to Level 3. Motivated by a colleague, she then pursued the Level 4 Apprenticeship. Her organisation was able to benefit from the Government’s Apprenticeship Boost fund, receiving monthly funding for staff completing apprenticeship programmes. Melissa says, “the money my employer received was very helpful, I had a really old laptop and she was able to upgrade our laptops and provide us with a printer for our resources”. The Apprenticeship Boost fund has recently been extended until the end of 2028 for all Careerforce’s apprenticeships – you can find more information here.
Melissa says she enjoyed studying and made sure she put aside time to work on her assignments, “I attended all the study hubs in Masterton and made sure I would schedule study time into my diary”. Study hubs are face-to-face sessions run by Careerforce and are designed for learners to drop in, meet other learners, ask questions and get help. Melissa enjoyed meeting and becoming friends with other apprentices at the study hubs and still keeps in touch with them today.
When reflecting on her study journey, Melissa says not only has she learnt a lot, but she has also grown as a person, “it’s given a huge boost to my confidence and self-esteem, everybody looks up to me now”.
Melissa says she would recommend studying with Careerforce, “Careerforce has been amazing, I can’t fault them. It’s easy because you’re guided through it and you’re never on your own. It’s a journey, but a good journey.”
You can find more information about the New Zealand Apprenticeship in Diversional Therapy on our website here. Alternatively, you can contact us on 0800 277 486 or [email protected]