NZ POST EMPLOYEE | LACHLAN BALFOUR

EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS

writer PETER WHITE // photographer ALAN STEVENS REWARDING, BUSY WORK AT NZ POST SURROUNDEDBY AGOOD TEAM

It is an exciting time for LACHLAN BALFOUR, who is settling in to his first main job since leaving school after finishing Year 12 in 2021. The 16-year-old started working for NZ Post at their Tauranga Mail Centre in March. Every day, large trucks arrive full of parcels and Lachlan’s job is to work as part of a team to sort the parcels into different towns and cities throughout New Zealand. The job is physical and busy – there is always lots to do – but Lachlan enjoys it. “We sort all the parcels into areas and then they get taken away and delivered all over the country. There is quite a bit to learn but the manager teaches you well, so it is pretty easy to learn,” says Lachlan. “There is the chance to get my forklift licence as well, which I want to do. It’s pretty mean. The forklift drivers

it IS GOOD WORKING WITH SO MANY COOL PEOPLE. I LIKE THE DIFFERENT CULTURES THAT ARE THERE. IT IS NICE TO GET ALONG WITH EVERYONE AND SEE WHAT THEIR CULTURE IS LIKE AND JUST BOND really.

LACHLAN BALFOUR

unload these things called maxis off the truck and bring them into the depot for us to sort. The maxis are way too heavy for us to move.” Lachlan likes being part of a team and working with a diverse range of people. “It is good working with so many cool people. I like the different cultures that are there. It is nice to get along with everyone and see what their culture is like and just bond really. It is a good environment to work in.” In Year 12 at Tauranga Boys’ College, Lachlan studied Hospitality and Catering, Agriculture, Science, English and Building Related Trades. Lachlan wasn’t quite sure what he wanted to do after leaving school but with family working at NZ Post who spoke highly of working there, he applied for an open vacancy and has found a great start to his working career. “I thought it would be nice to try it and to get some money. I didn’t really enjoy school so I thought this would be the best decision for me.” Lachlan regards Black Caps cricket captain and former Tauranga Boys’ head boy Kane Williamson as someone he looks up to. Lachlan was photographed talking to Kane when he was nine, with the photo appearing with a story in the local newspaper. “I remember that well. It is a good memory. Kane is just a role model to all young kids really, those wanting to play cricket and just in general.

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KEY FACTS

■ LACHLAN BALFOUR WORKS FOR NZ POST AT THEIR TAURANGA MAIL

CENTRE AND SAYS IT IS A PHYSICAL AND BUSY JOB BUT VERY ENJOYABLE. ■ HE HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET HIS FORKLIFT LICENCE, WHICH HE

INTENDS TO DO. ■ LACHLAN STUDIED HOSPITALITY AND CATERING, AGRICULTURE, SCIENCE,

ENGLISH AND BUILDING RELATED TRADES IN YEAR 12 AT TAURANGA

BOYS’ COLLEGE. “He has good captaincy skills, which is like being a good team leader, like a boss really.” As Lachlan is not long out of school, his advice to school leavers is fresh in his mind. “The main thing is you have got to be polite really. Don’t just wing it if you need help. You actually need to go and talk to someone rather than just standing around. It will make you look good to the bosses rather than not working. “I have found the bosses are always very polite to their new workers and happy to listen and to help.”

For more information on career opportunities with New Zealand Post, visit www.jobs.nzpost.co.nz