Success stories

Having gone from working in takeaway shops to driving heavy machinery in a large quarry, the Leeson siblings all agree that their career changes were the right move.

 A meticulous worker with a fantastic eye for detail, 22-year-old Cassidy Repia was a well deserving recipient of the CRA Apprentice of the Year - Golden Gun award.

The recipient of the 2018 CRA Apprentice of the Year – Golden Hammer award was 26-year-old Jordan Lindsay-Smith from Bush Road Panelbeaters, Auckland.

After completing MITO’s StartUp® programme in high school, Ryan is now a full-time light automotive apprentice at John Andrew Ford.

Andrea Thompson thinks it's awesome seeing more and more women entering the industry automotive refinishing industry.

Brendon Leitch’s career to date is one which most young car enthusiasts dream of, yet the New Zealand race car driver is still finding time to complete his MITO apprenticeship. 

Three and a half years ago, 22-year-old Tom Elers started work as an apprentice canvas fabrication technician. Now, he has a national qualification and two OFPANZ awards under his belt.

Phoenix Auapa’Au put his passion to work and fuelled his career by becoming an apprentice truck mechanic at Trucks & Trailers, Auckland.

“An apprenticeship is definitely a great career option for young people - you’re getting paid to learn and not racking up a big student loan,” says 21-year-old Gareth Lane.