Apprenticeship Journey - November 2021

… to the November issue of our newsletter for all Careerforce apprentices. where we share tips on assessments, relevant information on your apprenticeship training, and news stories to keep you motivated.

Many of you will still be under considerable pressure again with lockdowns and new ways of working. Our thoughts and best wishes are with you and your families.

In this issue, we share some tips to help you nail that assessment and have included a story of how apprenticeship graduate Kramer Hoeflich is driving change for people with disabilities.

You may also wish to check out the documentary Jessica's Tree which you can see on NZ Herald. It's about a young girl Jess, examining why she took her life and what her suicide can teach us.

Also, don’t forget to take the quiz for your chance to win 1 of 3 $50 prezzy cards!

Enjoy!

It may seem obvious to ask readers to read the question. But you'd be surprised how many apprentices launch into answering the assessment without first being clear about what is required or what they are being asked to do.

And when is comes to 'observations', it's especially important to read the guiding notes. Notes are there to help you. Take the time to read all the information carefully and remember to be specific, rather than generic.

If you are asked to DESCRIBE something, give a detailed account of the main features or principles.
If you are being asked to IDENTIFY something, pick out what you regard as key features.
If you are asked to CONTRAST, (emphasise the differences between subjects.
If you are asked to JUSTIFY, express valid reasons for accepting a particular interpretation or conclusion.

Here is a guide with many more frequently used assessment terms, that may help. Feel free to download it.

Part of the apprenticeship programme is aimed at developing a respectful and inclusive workforce.

In 'It’s about people', you'll learn what the impacts of stigma and discrimination are to people. 'It’s about you' asks apprentices to reflect on their own beliefs and values and how these affect your practice. It also looks at how culture can influence how you provide support.

Thinking carefully about the language you use, will help make your communication accessible and inclusive of everyone. It can make a huge difference to helping to avoid perpetuating negative stereotypes.

Here are some steps that you can refer to when reflecting on whether you are working inclusively and respectfully:

Be aware of the context in which you use the terminology. Sometimes people can use terms about themselves or their friends that are not appropriate for others to use about someone. Be aware of what you joke about.

Keep an open mind. The world is changing rapidly and so is language. Be open to changing what you have always thought is ‘normal’, ‘OK’ or respectful. You don’t have to get it right the first time but be willing to learn.

If in doubt, ask. If you’re not sure what terminology someone prefers or how they want to be addressed, just ask them. Ask the person or contact organisations which represent given diversity groups. Avoid stereotyping or making assumptions.

Focus on the person first. Rather than focusing on the demographic group they belong to, focus on the person. Only refer to an individual’s age, cultural background, gender, situation, etc. if it is relevant.

Here are some useful resources to help your use of inclusive, strengths-based, gender-neutral and empowering language:

Real language, real hope by Te Pou here
Language considerations by Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand here
Let’s talk about words by People First New Zealand here
Te Reo Hāpai The Language of Enrichment by Te Pou here
Use inclusive language to affirm diversity by Te Kete Ipurangi Inclusive Education here

In our June issue we covered the public awareness campaign Life Changing Careers led by Careerforce and supported by the Tertiary Education Commission’s COVID-19 response fund. The campaign highlights the rewarding, varied and often life changing careers that are available in the sectors you work in.

We’re pleased to report that the campaign results to date have been outstanding:

15.4m digital ad impressions
Over 4m complete views of our hero story videos
76,037 visitors to the campaign website (56% aged 44 and under, and 37% males)
142,913 page views, including 24,581 ‘Job Opportunities’ page views

Through the campaign and via the website https://lifechangingcareers.org.nz/
we share stories of your peers in the wider care and support workforce and show how passionate they are about their careers. We hope you find your own stories reflected in them. Check out William and Brett’s story below.

Please spread the word amongst your colleagues, friends and whānau
Apprentices like you are our real-life stories. You can be passionate advocates for what you do, and can stand proud for what you do. We absolutely encourage you to share links to the campaign materials, and these stories via your networks. as well as the website https://lifechangingcareers.org.nz/ to help encourage more people to join the essential care and support workforce.

Thank you.

Congratulations to Kramer Hoeflich who recently completed his Level 4 Health and Wellbeing Community Facilitation apprenticeship programme, with support from Careerforce.

Kramer is a Team Leader for Disability Information Advisory Service, with Vaka Tautua, a national “by Pacific, for Pacific“ health, disability and social services provider.

Passionate about advocating for people with disabilities and improving their overall wellbeing, Kramer has also been involved with the Human Rights Commission to promote Youth with Disabilities. Impressively, Kramer also sits on the Auckland Disability Panel for Auckland Council and is Co-Chair for the Ministry of Health’s Faiva Ora national leadership group. He is also the Chair for the I-Lead youth collective, where he advocates for youth with disabilities.

Kramer says his overall experience studying was indeed a blessing while working and...

Jazz Thornton
Having overcome childhood abuse and multiple suicide attempts, Jazz Thornton has now dedicated her life to speaking hope and creating change in the area of mental health through her organisation Voices of Hope. Her unique experience and practical message has gained worldwide recognition, being shared through media, international speaking engagements and now through the new feature documentary film. Living by the saying “it’s not about battling your past but fighting for your future” Jazz believes that no matter what your going through, it is possible to get through when you learn how to stop surviving and start fighting. In 2017 Jazz was named New Zealand’s youngest director to win the annual Doc Edge pitching contest and is now directing her series The Silence Project which aims to shed light to the stories behind our suicide statistics while changing the way we have conversations about it.