This article is by Liz Wylie and was published in the Wanganui Chronicle. Photo by Stuart Munro.
Chelsea Bayly's winning attitude earned her an excellent reputation as a casual employee with AWF Labour Recruitment in Wanganui and she is now employed as a production coordinator with the company.
The 22-year-old former Wanganui High School student recently graduated from Te Mana o Whakaaro, the AWF Maori Cadetship Programme which is a partnership with Te Puni Kokiri - Ministry for Maori Development.
Ms Bayly came out of the cadetship with a business management qualification and said she had an "awesome experience".
"Meeting all the other cadets from around the country and sharing our experiences and knowledge was an unforgettable experience."
AWF branch manager Alex Hapuku said Ms Bayly had shown strong leadership ability and the management had no hesitation in recommending her for the cadetship.
"She had already been working for us - she always turned up and she was always on time.
"We supported her to sit her rollers, tracks and wheels licence and she exceeded our expectations."
The licence to drive forklifts and other machinery enabled the young woman to work with Downer for a year - an experience she says she thoroughly enjoyed.
Male-dominated workplaces are something she takes in her stride. "I get teased a bit but it's all good fun and I can give as good as I get."
Ms Bayly is one of 50 young Maori cadets from around New Zealand who were celebrated and presented with their qualifications at a ceremony in Auckland this month.
AWF Madison chief executive Simon Bennett says the "cadets' hard work and dedication has been impressive and points to a bright future as they build their careers".
"In recent years we've heard a lot about skills shortages, particularly in relation to the Canterbury rebuild and the big infrastructure projects in Auckland and Wellington.
"AWF's training programmes are a way for us to help to maximise the unskilled resource New Zealand already has. Our relationship with Te Puni Kokiri continues to be very valuable to us as we look to take 60 more cadets for the 2016 programme."
Ms Bayly is recruiting and supporting temporary staff at Mars Petcare for AWF and is enjoying the role.
"I understand how important it is to see opportunities and run with them."