One of the participants, Dammika Dissanayaka landed a job halfway through the programme. Her new employers were very happy to let her finish the course before she starts in January.
Dammika said that “this course gave me confidence to have an interview. I was scared, but I did what our teacher had suggested”.
The programme focused on learning about expectations of the NZ workplace, basic legislation and employment information, ways of applying for work, understanding and practising interview skills, understanding and using appropriate Kiwi English in the workplace. Speakers addressed the group from WINZ and other community workplaces.
It was an intensive programme, and all participants gave great feedback. “I know how to write a CV and cover letter now”, “I learned about the Treaty of Waitangi” and “Don’t change anything, everything is good” were some of the specific comments from the Work Talk participants.
The graduates were so pleased with what they had gained in the 4-week course, that they took their teacher out for lunch at a local restaurant.
