Since the commencement of the CNIWC Generation Programme in 2021, which, alongside others has been funded by SWIFT, there has been success with many students who have gained employment within the forestry industry or continued further education. Olive Williams has been a prime example.
Olive was part of the first cohort to have completed the Generation Programme run in Tokoroa in November 2021. Olive had been previously home-schooled by her mum who encouraged her to explore a future in the Forestry industry. At the time that Olive became interested in the programme and through-out the programme Olive worked part-time at the local New World Supermarket.
Throughout the programme Olive demonstrated determination to complete the programme and was able to relate well to her fellow students which was at times challenging due to being the only wāhine in this cohort that completed the programme.
Olive completed all ten-unit standards (64 credits in total) to be awarded the NZ Certificate in Forest Industry Foundation Skills (Level 2). (Story continues next page)
Olive’s initial career choice was to become a ‘logging truck driver’ but after two industry field trips that opened her eyes to the forest harvesting machines (and a bit of encouragement from Min Tobenhouse, a very experienced female machine-operator), she had a change of heart.
After graduating from the Generation Programme in November 2021 and awarded the NZ Certificate in Forest Industry Foundation Skills – Level 2, in 2022 Olive gained employment with FAST Harvesting of Tokoroa and is currently working her way to becoming a machine-operator.
Olive was nominated for the Generation Programme Graduate of the Year award for the CNIWC Forestry Awards in 2022 and was awarded a Certificate of Excellence.
