Diane Andrell
The Gateway programme opened the way to a fabulous and exciting fashion career for Diane Andrell.
Last September, Diane was still at school and uncertain about her future. "I was so confused. I didn't know what to do - I had nothing to go to," she said. Now, aged 17, she is assistant manager at Pagani's Hornby store in Christchurch.
She was offered an opportunity on her school's Gateway programme by the careers advisor, and began working one day a week for Pagani last year. The work was unpaid, but Diane studied for and passed the Unit Standards required for the Introductory Certificate in Retail within two months.
In November Diane was offered paid weekend work. She left school at the end of the school year to work fulltime. In May she was promoted to assistant manager.
"The job is fun, you meet new people and help them. I know what I want to do now. In the future I want to be a regional manager. Without Gateway I really don't know what I would be doing."
"Retailing is a lot more involved than you realise - controlling the stock, placing it in the shop, things like that." "I never used to be so motivated. I just really like what I do. I really like it, I am on a path now ...and I love the clothes."
