Setting the bar high

Byron will move onto the New Zealand Certificate in Maritime (Crewing) (Superyacht Crewing)(external link) in Semester Two before tackling the Level 4 Cookery(external link) programme for a year. He then wants to travel overseas.

“I’ll have the skills to go anywhere in the world,” he says. “I’m hoping to go to Canada, or I’ll hop on a superyacht because I get everything I need to go from the course.”

Byron lives in Motueka and works in the food service industry there part-time, but as he is eligible for Youth Guarantee, he receives additional funding for transportation costs to help get him to the Nelson Campus four days a week.

He also works at the on-campus café, Ake Ake, in Nelson one day a week, where he can put his barista skills to the test.

“Studying at NMIT is really nice. There’s a great atmosphere here with good people,” Byron says. “The tutors aren’t scary and are really easy to talk to.”

Byron recommends studying at NMIT to others interested in the hospitality industry.

“I’ve learned on-the-job before and it’s a very different environment,” he says. “There’s a lot of stress in serving customers who expect perfection.”

Training in a student café provides ākonga with the time they need to master necessary skills in a relaxed and enjoyable environment. Ākonga can then enter the workforce with confidence.

“It’s way easier to learn because you’re not so stressed.”

The Rata Room is our on-site, fully operational café and restaurant where ākonga learn serving tables, barista skills and bar service whilst gaining the Level 3 New Zealand Certificate in Food and Beverage Service.(external link)

The New Zealand Certificate in Maritime (Crewing) (Superyacht Crewing)(external link) offers ākonga a well-rounded hospitality learning experience in just three-months with training in boating, crewing and hospitality.

For more information, visit our website. www.nmit.ac.nz(external link).