Originally published by Ara|Te Pūkenga

The latest cohort of Kilmarnock Enterprises Academy Programme employees to achieve work-based learning credits have been celebrated at Ara |Te Pūkenga.

The ākonga (students) who completed their Level 2 Food and Work Safety Practices programme in the workplace were awarded certificates in Foundation Studies at an event held at Visions restaurant at Ara’s City campus.

Kilmarnock Enterprises is an Ōtautahi-based social enterprise creating employment and development pathways for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The partnership between its academy and Ara, which ran for the first time earlier this year, involves a programme of New Zealand Qualifications Framework study for employees for two hours a week over 17 weeks.

The aim of the study was to ‘develop a series of food and work safety skills to enable the students to carry out tasks effectively and efficiently within work environments’.

Kilmarnock Enterprises Chief Executive Michael Toothill said the course had been designed to be accessible and rewarding for ākonga. “The course tutors have tailored its delivery to include significant hands-on and visual learning opportunities, capturing already held skills and knowledge and supporting a great learning experience for all.”

“This is a new approach provides people with an intellectual disability with a clear and tangible pathway in employment, training and development,” he said. “We’re incredibly proud of our learners for their hard work, and we’re grateful for this partnership offering exciting and fulfilling formal training opportunities our employees.”

Ryan Marshall, Manager Cookery and Bakery in Ara’s Department of Hospitality, Business and Service Industries said the students had applied themselves with enthusiasm to achieve academically and gain valuable life skills.

“It’s great to celebrate an incredible group of individuals who’ve shown tremendous courage, growth, determination and resilience on their path to education and personal growth,” he said.

He added that it was rewarding to see the programme come to life and become established in the space of 12 months thanks to the vision and determination of all those involved, including tutors and learning advisors Dave Spice, Katie Howie, Bill Bryce and Arnya Watson.

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Foundation Certificate recipient Tania McClure wrote and presented her personal thoughts about the learning to the friends, whānau, kaiako (teachers) and work colleagues gathered at the certificate ceremony. “I fully enjoyed the course,” she said. “It was lots of fun. I learned lots of words and learned to cook food with the temperature gauge.”

Speaking afterwards, she explained that the knowledge she had gained was not only useful at work but also in her homelife where she enjoyed cooking a wide range of meals.

With the next cohort already fully subscribed for 2024, the foundations are strong for the continuation of this bespoke work-based Foundation Studies offering.

We’re pleased to share some exciting changes to the Kilmarnock Enterprises Trust!

Earlier this year, the Kilmarnock Trust embarked on a recruitment drive, seeking to appoint several new trustees from across the community. We are excited to announce the appointment of three distinguished new trustees with significant experience and diverse skills: Pollyanne Peña, Rachelle Mathews and Stuart Roberts.

Pollyanne Pena joins us with a wealth of experience in the non-profit sector, spending the last ten years in community engagement and fundraising roles with cause-led organisations across Aotearoa. Pollyanne currently serves as the Community Engagement Lead for the Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust.

Rachelle Mathews brings her extensive marketing, communications and education expertise to the Kilmarnock Trust. Rachelle has worked to raise the profile of a diverse range of organisations and institutions, including St Margaret’s College. Currently, she holds the role of Marketing and Communications Manager at Medbury Preparatory School.

Stuart Roberts joins the Kilmarnock Trust with over 25 years experience in financial markets. He is currently a Director and Wealth Management Adviser for Jarden in Ōtautahi. Prior to his role at Jarden, Stuart worked for several prominent financial and banking firms, including ANZ and AMP.

We are excited to welcome our new and talented trustees onboard, and we look forward to working alongside the Kilmarnock Trust to connect with our community and raise funds for our innovative Kilmarnock Academy Programme.

Kilmarnock Enterprises would also like to acknowledge the recent departure of two former members of the Kilmarnock Trust, David Lowe and Andrew Gray. We are deeply grateful for David and Andrew’s contributions to the work of the Kilmarnock Trust.

Will&Able Bulk, a Kilmarnock initiative, has been selected as a Delivering For Good finalist for 2023 by NZ Post. As one of the twelve charitable organisations chosen as finalists, Will&Able Bulk will receive one year of free courier delivery services courtesy of NZ Post.

As a non-profit organisation that relies on courier services to deliver our products to customers nationwide, receiving free deliveries for one year will have a significant impact. It will allow us to invest the money we spend on courier costs into growing our operation and creating more employment opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities. We are incredibly excited for the year ahead and we are very grateful to NZ Post for selecting Will&Able Bulk as a 2023 finalist.

Usually, saying goodbye is a sad experience, but at Kilmarnock, nothing makes us happier than seeing members of our whānau go on the next step of their journey.

Elisha has been accepted into Te Pūkenga, where he will be undertaking a course in creative media. When Elisha started at Kilmarnock after finishing school, he had a dream to study, but this dream didn’t feel achievable to him. Four years on, Elisha leaves Kilmarnock with a well-rounded skillset and the confidence to achieve his dream.

We are so excited to see Elisha take on this new challenge, and we are proud to have been a partner in his success.

Listen to Elisha reflect on his time at Kilmarnock below.

Allie and Todd Quested began their journeys at Kilmarnock as young people in 1984 and 1985, respectively. A lot has changed since they both started at Kilmarnock; they’ve seen employees come and go, the adoption of a new social enterprise model and our shift to a modern new facility in Wigram.

The most significant change, however, is the love that has blossomed between Allie and Todd. Celebrating seventeen years married in 2022, Allie and Todd have much to be proud of. Together they have built a family and grown a community around them, with meaningful lifelong friendships at Kilmarnock and beyond.

Allie and Todd have what everyone wants, someone to love and be loved by. At Kilmarnock, we are proud to create an environment that empowers people with intellectual disabilities to thrive and build the lives they want to lead.

Watch below to hear Allie and Todd’s story in their own words.