By Ally Clelland
More than 40 NZ secondary school Careers Advisors arrived in Auckland on 11 June for the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) Careers Advisors Visit.
The Careers’ Advisors Visit was all about providing an insight into the training, lifestyle and benefits that can be gained from a career in the Navy, Army or Air Force.
Photographs taken during the Careers Advisors week are available at the Our People section of the Image Gallery.
During the week careers advisors from colleges including Auckland Girls’ Grammar, Te Puke College and Southland Boys’ High School, visited Devonport Naval Base, Linton Army Camp and the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Base at Ohakea.
“This is the first time the concept of a tri-Service visit has been run. It was an exciting initiative for us to be able to showcase the career opportunities available within the wider Defence Force,” said Director of Air Force Recruiting Squadron Leader Lisa D’Oliveira.
“It enabled careers advisors to see the training facilities within the NZDF, interact with personnel, and network with teachers or trainers in similar vocations.”
The week began with a visit to Devonport Naval Base on 12 June where attendees experienced naval activities including sea safety training, diving, and dealing with explosive ordnance.
Hawera High School careers advisor Michelle Taylor said the best part of the week was being able to talk to the young people who had recently joined the Navy, Army, or Air Force about why they had joined and what they were doing. Sleeping on base was an experience in itself, she said. “I really enjoyed the week and it was good to be able to experience everything from the ground up.”
On Wednesday the attendees visited the RNZAF Base at Ohakea, near Palmerston North. RNZAF personnel demonstrated the role of the Iroquois helicopters, fixed wing flying training, crash fire fighting, and air craft maintenance.
James Cook High School careers advisor Joy Williams said the visit really challenged and changed her perception of career options available within the Defence Force. “There is such a breadth of options available and to experience it first hand has been very valuable. The visit should be compulsory for all new careers advisors,” she said.
Weapons, camouflage nets and large vehicles were the order of the day on Thursday 14 June when the group visited Linton Army Camp. The careers advisors had the opportunity to find out about Light Armoured Vehicles, the Mistral Air Defence System, and to see electronics and communications equipment displays.
The week ended with a function at the Ohakea Officers’ Mess. This gave the careers advisors the opportunity to mix with senior officers, junior officers and soldiers/sailors and airmen from the three Services in a social environment.
Transport, accommodation and meals during the Careers Advisors Visit were provided by the NZDF.
Ends
See images from Careers Advisors week at the Our People section of the Image Gallery.