20 | Practical skills taught Topline Contracting is a Tier 1 contractor, operating throughout the Hawke’s Bay, providing a diverse range of services including concrete reinstatement and construction, asphalt and chipseal reinstatement and construction. T T from page 18 Topline Contracting REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT “At the time they come to me, ninety percent of these kids are unemployable and on a benefit. They might have no license, haven’t finished school, they could be young parents, and seventy percent of them are using a substance of some kind. These people can never quite get a good job, or they get jobs that don’t drug test, and you know what that sort of wage bracket is.” He says 80% of the programme is learning practical skills, with 20% theory, with the goal of building the cadets’ attitude, work ethic and capabilities to become valued members of a workforce. The first four weeks are about health and fitness, with all the drugs pushed out of the cadets’ system. Their hair is cut and work done on how they present themselves. Their backyards at home are cleaned up and made presentable — all designed to give the cadets pride. “We stay away with each other twice over the programme,” says Taurus. “Once in the first week; getting to know each other and building a team environment; and half way through we stay at a marae to get them grounded back to their culture. They don’t have to be Māori; they could be Pasifika or Pakeha.” The last six weeks are focused on work experience with the cadets’ preferred company. If they want to be a builder Taurus will find a building company that will take them on for work experience, and that usually turns out to be the place that hires them at the end of the programme. “Sometimes the cadet’s goal is to join the military or Police. There’s a course in Hawke’s Bay that runs for seventeen weeks and they might end up working at Topline till that course becomes available. We nurture them until they have achieved their goal. As much as we would like it to be a one hundred percent success rate, there’s always the occasional person who doesn’t make it. But I think over the last eighteen months we have had an eighty-five percent success rate, and more than ninety-five percent of them have not returned to Work and Income over a year later.” Acknowledging the wider Topline Contracting team, Taurus says they are all very passionate about what they are doing, love working for the company, and proud that they are working for a company that is doing the right thing, which has now been recognised at the Awards. “I’m very proud of the work we do, and I am grateful that the judges have given us these awards. I’m proud that our community has acknowledged us. The cool thing for me is that hopefully other Māori businesses can see that something can be achieved in that social impact space.” For the little boy raised by his mother in the township of Flaxmere, Taurus is a beacon for what can be achieved; an inspiration for all of us actually. Leaving school at 16, after completing NCEA level 2 very quickly, Taurus had a dream of joining the army, enjoying the camaraderie and adventure that would bring. Going askew from the rails put paid to that dream, while another door opened with the discovery of concreting, which Taurus became very good at, setting his future in motion, along with the future of others. Shying from being labelled a good leader, Taurus says he just leads by example. “My mother has always been a good example for me to follow, and she always instilled good morals. Any leadership skills came from her, and she always encouraged me to work hard. That’s is my biggest attribute really.” • Box & Prep • Residential • House Floors • Pool Surrounds 021 0231 7575 solidcretehb@gmail.com www.solidcretehb.co.nz • Driveways & Patios • Place & Finish • Commercial Floors • BCITO Qualified We are a whanau-based business specialising in all aspects of commercial & residential concrete. 027 372 7347 concrete.elementshb@gmail.com Proudly supporting Topline Contracting We congratulate Topline Contracting on winning the 2023 Hawke’s Bay Supreme Business Award. Your team’s hard work and dedication have paid off, and we are thrilled to see your success Taurus. 022-015 0361 robert@hbpicturehanging.co.nz www.hbpicturehanging.co.nz
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