BATTLING TO THE TOP ACTIVE APPRENTICE RATES JOINERY

writer PETER WHITE photographer LUKE MARSHALL

Keeping a positive outlook no matter what life throws at you has proved a winning formula for TANITA GARNETT. The 20-year-old is a top player for provincial rugby team Tasman Mako and is also halfway through a successful joinery apprenticeship.

But she has had to endure more than her fair share of challenges.

Tanita was just seven when a tumour was found behind her ear and she was treated with chemotherapy for a year. Then, at the age of 10, she was diagnosed with a type of leukaemia called Langerhans Cells Histiocytosis (LCH).

“That was a massive part of my childhood. I feel that’s part of the reason I have to prove to myself that I can do stuff and I can be strong. That no matter what your past is like, you can push through,” says Tanita. She has been healthy since she was 12, which is a blessing. The suffering she went through has undoubtedly made her mentally strong.

“For me, it has definitely been a journey and I think everything I have been through has made me the person I am today, but you still have your struggles and you still have your battles.”

Tanita started playing rugby aged 14 and has been a regular player for Tasman Mako in the national Farah Palmer Cup competition since 2020. The Black Ferns is a giant goal but she is not getting too far ahead of herself.

Tasman Mako played a key role in her taking up an apprenticeship through BCITO | Te Pūkenga. Tanita admits she did not know what joinery was until her team’s personal development manager told her there was an apprenticeship spot with Concept Wardrobes in Nelson.

“I thought I would give it a go and have enjoyed it enough to keep going. I started about one-and-a-half years ago and, once I started, BCITO | Te Pūkenga have been really helpful. If I ever have any questions, they will answer them within the day.”

Key Facts

Tanita says the job suits her because she likes to keep active and says she can work the joinery apprenticeship around her rugby training and games.

Mostly she works on kitchens, wardrobes and various joinery projects.

“We manufacture them and we also go out and install them as well. I like to do lots of different work and feel like I am still learning.

“In some jobs, like labouring, it can get quite laborious in some ways but I feel I get a good mixture of being able to learn and work at the same time.”

Tanita was home schooled and rates English and Science as her favourite subjects. She recommends getting a trades apprenticeship for any school leaver who is not 100 per cent sure whether they want to go to university or not.

“It is great because you get to learn and you are also making money at the same time. Just like sport, it is not easy but if you keep working hard you will get there.”

■ TANITA GARNETT IS COMPLETING AN APPRENTICESHIP IN JOINERY THROUGH BCITO | TE PŪKENGA. SHE WORKS AT CONCEPT WARDROBES IN NELSON

■ SHE RECOMMENDS A TRADE APPRENTICESHIP FOR ANY SCHOOL LEAVER WHO IS NOT SURE IF THEY WANT TO GO TO UNIVERSITY

■ TANITA ALSO PLAYS IN PROVINCIAL RUGBY TEAM TASMAN MAKO AND SAYS THAT IT IS GREAT SHE CAN WORK THE JOINERY APPRENTICESHIP AROUND HER RUGBY TRAINING AND GAMES

For more information on apprenticeships in joinery through BCITO | Te Pūkenga, visit www.bcito.org.nz