That’s why we are so proud of Education Unlimited Facilitator & Programme Coordinator Jenna Paton and Project Administrator/Tutor Assist Losana Tuiletufuga, who have both recently been awarded the New Zealand Certificate in Adult Literacy and Numeracy Level 5. 

This qualification builds upon their existing adult education expertise, so they can better support our foundational learners to develop their literacy and numeracy capabilities. Jenna says it’s training that has been worth its weight in gold.

“This qualification has improved my teaching strategies by giving me greater cultural awareness, tools on how to embed literacy and numeracy into my classes, and tools to teach concepts to learners,” she says. “It has made me a more informed tutor with better skills to help my learners.”

Jenna is a lifelong learner herself, and since joining the Education Unlimited team two years ago, she has continued to expand her potential. 

“I’m a person who values personal achievement and enjoys working towards a goal.  I like the feeling of motivation that goals give me, and personal development and learning help me navigate the challenges to achieve those goals.  The more you learn, the more awareness you have, and the more options become available to you. These can take you in directions that you may never have dreamed possible!”

In addition to gaining her NZ Certificate in Adult Numeracy and Literacy, Jenna is currently building her te reo Māori and tikanga skills through Education Unlimited’s internal Māori development programme, Ka Ora, and has also become an accredited GoodYarn assessor, recently delivering two GoodYarn workshops (a workplace mental wellbeing programme) to REINZ (Real Estate Institute of NZ). And when she’s not empowering teams of employees, you’ll likely find her delivering one-on-one training to individuals struggling with literacy and numeracy. It’s another facet of the job she says is “incredibly rewarding”. 

“It’s brilliant to help adults discover skills they never thought they were capable of - especially skills like reading comprehension, which can be used both in their home and work lives.”

Like Jenna, Losana has a passion for bringing out the best in people, and since transitioning into adult education from early childhood two years ago, she has found her fit.

“I love seeing learners' confidence grow,” says Losana.  “For a lot of adults I come across, this training is the first they have done, their first certificate and their first graduation. Seeing their proud faces and hearing their stories of how these programmes benefit their work and home life is what makes coming into work every morning that much easier! Every learner I’ve crossed paths with has shown immense gratitude and appreciation for the opportunity to upskill and for the chance to be seen.”

While Losana’s primary role is keeping our programmes running smoothly “behind the scenes”, she is excited to now also be on the frontline, helping deliver our programmes. Recently she has been Tutor Assist on the highly successful Manurewa High School Trades Academy (MHSTA) Money Matters course, and she has also been working one-on-one with learners on the BCITO 1:1 Apprentice Support English Language programme, an initiative that helps non-native English speaking apprentices navigate life on the construction site.

It's meaningful work and Losana couldn’t be prouder - and being supported by Education Unlimited to undertake her own upskilling has been the icing on the cake.

“Not only do we support our learners to upskill, but it is also supported within our organisation. In my seven years of being in the workforce, nothing has been more significant than the past two years with Education Unlimited. I’ve been given multiple opportunities, stepped out of my comfort zone, upskilled on Excel, gained this qualification and accomplished things I never thought I would. The best part is that there is so much more I can do!

“YOLO (you only live once), and what better way to live this life than to continuously learn and upskill. But remember, learning is not limited to programmes or qualifications - it can be done by making mistakes, putting your hand up for something you’ve never done before, getting out into the community or meeting new people and exchanging stories. Learning builds confidence within and opens doors of opportunity at work and in life.”

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