Turning young lives around
"Combine work,sport and healthy living and you get great results."
Pera, Ian and Paul's story
Constantly in trouble with the Police had become a way of life for Pera Wihongi (left) and Ian Spicer (middle) from Kaitaia. It was their love of sport and the sheer determination of their employer Paul Scutt (right) that has turned their lives around.
“I was getting into plenty of trouble cause there wasn’t enough to do, the town wasn’t big enough”, Pera said.
“Before I met Paul, partying was about getting trashed. Now I still enjoy parties but I am much more sensible and hardly ever get drunk”, Ian offered.
Born and bred in Kaitaia, Paul Scutt is the Director of 999R Flooring. He approached a Kaitaia Work Broker to explore what support Work and Income had available to assist creating sustainable employment. His business had secured new work at a subdivision in Kamo.
Both Ian and Pera were eligible for Transition to Work Assistance which covers things like clothing, tools and transport, along with a Skills Investment Subsidy which is designed to support the employee to gain skills the employer needs to complete the work on hand.
A member of the Awanui Rugby Club, Paul is responsible for training the under 18 year olds, which he facilitates with enormous passion. He has extensive experience working with professionals such as Fiji wing Rupeni Caucaunibuca and Northland Rugby Union. Himself a keen league player he represented Northland and played Premier League in Auckland.
“I don’t have any formal personal trainer qualifications, I just work on engaging the men and living by what I preach”, Paul said. Paul has combined employment, sport and life coaching to ensure that each young man in his squad can reach their full potential.
Designed to suit each individual’s need, Paul’s training sessions require a substantial commitment from everyone. “For me work provides an income so I can help and fulfill my passion with these young men. The training we do not only gives them the opportunity to become elite sportsmen, they also become well rounded, astute people who have a passion for life”, said Paul.
Ian and Pera intend completing their flooring apprenticeships after a year of gaining practical skills. They are also committed to paying Paul back in whatever way they can.
“I have a very strong sense of loyalty to Paul because be believes in me, trains me and has turned my life around”, Ian acknowledges. “People can see the good condition we are in and try and pick us off all the time but they haven’t got a show – I’m staying in Northland and giving something back to the community and Paul.”