Ashley Cox: Empowering students to achieve their full potential
Twenty-year-old Ashley Cox juggles a busy week – working, commuting, cleaning her room, looking after the family pets and spending time with her boyfriend, Callum.
Ashley met Callum on the Supported Learning programme at Unitec where they were both studying for the NZ Certificate in Skills for Living and Working.
The programme empowers students to achieve their full potential, enhancing their educational journey and personal wellbeing by addressing diverse learning needs and fostering a supportive environment.
Ashley’s commitment to the programme was significant, getting up early every morning so she could catch multiple buses from her home in Parakai to the Mt Albert campus. The dedication paid off, and Ashley developed employability skills, worked part-time, and completed a successful placement with the Animal Care Unit at Unitec. “The course taught me really good skills for work, including how to apply for jobs and what to do in an interview,” says Ashley. “I now know what I want and what I’m good at.”
“I loved the experience of Unitec – doing different things and learning new things.”
Ashley works at Superb Herb in Parakai, West Auckland, cutting, preparing and packing herbs. She’s a popular and positive team member who loves what she does, and she credits the programme with giving her the confidence and independence to look for a job and go into the workforce. “The teachers are very helpful, understanding and patient with us,” she says. “Any time anyone is feeling down, they make sure they stay with them until they’re feeling OK. “They care about their students.”
Ashley made strong friendships through the programme and says the support among the students was one of the key reasons she would get up early to go to class each day. “I love Unitec. I’ve made so many friends and have so many great memories of my time there.
“We all have a disability, and we all understand each other. We all get along very well.”
Ashley seized every opportunity that came her way, including volunteering on Unitec’s Supported Learning stand at the Transition Expo, hosted by Disability Connect.
The annual expo is for learners, whānau, schools and transition coordinators who either have or support a young person with a disability and provides opportunities for attendees to explore a wide range of transition providers, employment services, vocational training and community services activities.
Supported Learning Academic Programme Manager Dave Hicks says Ashley’s commitment and enthusiasm was a real inspiration to other students on the programme.
“Ashley really thrived throughout the programme, and her personal and professional growth has been incredible. Her positive spirit and can-do attitude has really helped other students overcome their challenges, and we’re really proud of what she has achieved.”
Many of the programme’s graduates go on to further study at Unitec or additional training in areas including Trades, ECE, Computing, Floristry and Hospitality. PolyEmp services also assist graduates to transition into paid employment after they complete the course.
