Success Stories

Faith inspires Future Skills graduate and support worker, Christina Lata, to care for others.

Christina completed her NZ Certificate in Health and Wellbeing Level 2 and NZ Certificate in Health and Wellbeing Level 3 with Future Skills Academy.

She is now working as Team Lead (Positive Behaviour Support Worker) at a residential care provider in Palmerston North.

Christina is of Fijian-Indian ethnicity and is a single mum of a 14-year-old daughter. She moved to New Zealand in 2006 and has worked in a number of roles, including customs, education, and retail, as well as for the church.

Christina says it is her Christian faith that inspires her to care for people and motivated her to increase her healthcare skills and be of use in the healthcare industry in New Zealand.

She began her healthcare journey by enrolling in the NZ Certificate in Health and Wellbeing Level 2 at Future Skills Academy. After finishing that, she moved into the Level 3 certificate.

Christina says she enjoyed her study at Future Skills and encouraged many of her friends to join the programmes too.

“I enjoyed how fun and interactive the classes were. Tutors were amazing during my time and we enjoyed the venue too. It was clean and well-kept. Parking was never an issue and it was fun and educational and professional.”

After completing her Level 3 programme, Christina started working full-time as a Healthcare Assistant. She also went on to study Bicultural Social Services and then Diversional Therapy with other providers to work towards becoming a registered Diversional Therapist while working in the Diversional Therapy department of a private rest home in West Auckland.

Now Christina has moved to Palmerston North where she works as Team Lead (Positive Behaviour Support Worker) at a residential care provider. She oversees 13 staff, who take care of people with challenging behaviour, complex care needs, and intellectual disabilities.

She says each step in her career journey has been a great learning and upskilling experience which all started at Future Skills.

Her current role involves everything from rosters to safety and support plans to overseeing the general health and safety of residents. She also provides coaching sessions for staff from other residential facilities.

“It’s challenging but worth it always to see the results of giving people the best care and support to live their best lives,” says Christina.