From Hoki Mai ki Why Ora to a future career pathway – Tilya Fenton
"Wānanga I attended connected me to some very cool individuals. This boosted my confidence in succeeding in my studies which led to me graduating with all A’s!"
Tilya Fenton - Hoki Mai Ki Why Ora Taiohi
Ko Hikurangi te maunga
Ko Te Raparapa-ā-hoe te awa
Ko Ngātokimatawhaorua te waka
Ko Ngāpuhi te iwi
Ko Ngāti Hine te hapu
Ko Matawaia te marae
Ko Tilya Fenton tōku ingoa
Since first engaging with Why Ora while at High School, Tilya reconnected with Why Ora in late 2023 and enrolled with our Hoki Mai Ki Why Ora initiative. Over the past year Tilya has achieved so much!
Tilya identified future aspirations, pursued work experience opportunities, enrolled in and completed study and to help build her confidence, participated as a speaker at our 2024 Why Ora Hui Whānau sharing her story with an audience of over 70 people!
In December 2024 we connected Tilya with P + P Engineering Consultants in New Plymouth to participate in a work experience day with the design team.
Well on her way to her future career, Tilya says she has gained confidence and is keen to gain a range of work and life skills in 2025. One of her long-term goals is to work as an engineering apprentice. We are very excited for Tilya and where her path will lead next!
“I first got introduced to Why Ora when I was attending Stratford High School, at that time I was still intrigued by school, but by Year 12 I didn’t know if it was for me, so I left. I didn’t know where to go from there, until I went to a career expo where I met Katie from Why Ora in 2023.
From there we kept in contact and Katie helped me find out what I was leaning towards doing. She also helped me get my restricted drivers’ license and book into driving lessons. I passed the test and signed up for trade study at WITT to do a Level 3 Certificate in Mechanical Engineering.
Through WITT I also got a scholarship, which helped with the gear I needed. Katie left Why Ora just before WITT started and then I met with Jazz who has been a big help to me getting where I am now. (Our former Why Ora Kaiārahi Katie moved overseas in 2024).
Engaging with Why Ora helped me boost my confidence at being around people I’m not used to being around and being more vocal instead of shying away and not participating in activities. Meeting people outside my comfort zone made me more outgoing as well. The Why Ora Hoki Mai ki Why Ora wānanga I attended connected me to some very cool individuals. This boosted my confidence in succeeding in my studies which led to me graduating with all A’s!” Tilya Fenton
Feedback from Chris Jamieson, Design Delivery Manager, P+P Engineering Consultants “Tylia showed a genuine interest in engineering which made my job easy! I outlined the day-to-day duties of an engineer and designer working at a consultancy and explained the different disciplines of engineering we deal with such as mechanical, civil, structural and process engineering, and showed the tools we use including 3D Models, and AutoCAD drawings. Tylia also spent time with one of our Mechanical engineer team members to get an understanding of their duties and responsibilities. I wish Tylia all the best with her future, and I hope to see her in the world of engineering!”
