As a workplace trainer and accredited Site Safe facilitator, Steven delivers programmes on everything from literacy, leadership and money smarts right through to Site Safe civil and construction. As well as assisting learners to strengthen their employment skills, he supports them to develop their soft skills, confidence and self-belief.

“The best part of my job is empowering learners to upskill and grow,” says Steven. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see people become engaged in their learning and develop their capabilities.”

His favourite two days of each course are the first and the last. The first, because he loves building relationships with his learners, and the last because it provides a powerful snapshot of how far they’ve come.

“On the final day of our courses learners have to deliver a presentation, usually some kind of continuous improvement project they’ve been undertaking for their workplace. Presenting in front of a group of people can be terrifying, but by this point they’ve developed so much self-belief and confidence that they take it in their stride. It’s so rewarding to see this growth and it is hands-down the best part of my job.”

Over the past 12 months Steven has worked extensively with New Zealand Couriers, helping them support their teams to be the best they can be, and he is currently helping employees at GAJV – the team behind New Zealand’s largest ever wastewater project - build their financial acumen with Future Ready - Money Confidence. It’s a topic he is well-versed in - prior to forging a career in teaching, Steven was a stockbroker in the cut-throat world of investment banking.

“But workplace training is so much more rewarding than being a stockbroker!”

Since gaining accreditation to deliver Site Safe’s Foundation Passport Building Construction and Foundation Passport Civil 18 months ago, Steven has also been working with MSD Jobs and Skills Hubs which is a partnership between EU and MSD. One of the programmes ‘Whakatupu’ has been designed to help aspiring construction workers transition into the industry.  The five day course equips participants with a wide range of skills, from time management and SMART goals to mental health awareness. Steven delivers the Site Safe component of the programme.

“I teach Site Safe mainly to Year 12 and 13 Gateway students, as well as those looking for work or retraining. Most of the learners are pretty new to it so it’s challenging stuff for them, but I help them get their ticket and become work ready. It’s very fulfilling working with these young people who are looking to better themselves.”

Although Education Unlimited marks Steven’s first foray into workplace training, he has many years of teaching expertise. During a 15-year stint living in China he taught English, culture and business ethics in a wide range of schools, universities and businesses. Living in Southern China when Covid hit, Steven and his twin daughters fled the country and returned to Aotearoa New Zealand. His Chinese wife managed to join them 102 days later.

“It was a very tough time. We basically had to squeeze 15 years of memories into a couple of suitcases and start all over again in Auckland.”

Luckily Education Unlimited was recruiting for a workplace trainer at the time. It was a leap of faith that has turned out to be a perfect fit.

Adds Steven, “I really enjoy working for Education Unlimited. We are a small tight-knit company, and the management and owners are genuinely passionate about upskilling people and helping them better their lives. That is the driving force behind everything we do, and I feel proud to be a part of it.”

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