14 | “We have some school leavers in the factory doing an awesome job now but one of my goals is to bring in more people – especially for the hoki season and I’d love to see local people in these jobs.” Talley’s promotes career progression Kim Newth Established in the 1990s, Talley’s Westport fish factory is one of the biggest local employers in Westport. FISHERIES SECTOR Talley’s Limited Young people who start with Talley’s on the processing line can make the most of training opportunities offered to them and grow good careers with the company. Cheyanne Amai – the new branch manager of Talley’s Westport fish processing factory – is a shining example of what a young person can accomplish with Talley’s if they are prepared to apply themselves and work their way up through the ranks. Having started at the factory at age 16, Cheyanne was promoted to supervisor within three years and then to the 2IC (second in charge) role. Now the branch’s first female manager, Cheyanne is keen to let young people in Westport and the wider West Coast know about the good jobs available at Talley’s. She wants them to know there is money to be made and good career prospects if they have the confidence to give it a go. “We have some school leavers in the factory doing an awesome job now but one of my goals is to bring in more people – especially for the hoki season and I’d love to see local people in these jobs,” she says. Established in the 1990s, Talley’s Westport fish factory is one of the biggest local employers in Westport. It is located at the port, close to the Buller River. The factory processes tonnes of fresh fish a year – mainly Gurnard, John dory, Groper and Tarakihi that are processed for local supermarkets, fish and chip shops and for export, (mostly to Australia). Cheyanne attributes her own rapid rise through the ranks to taking every training opportunity available. She is particularly thankful for the strength of Talley’s management training, crediting personalised one-on-one sessions for giving her the confidence to keep taking the next step up. In the manager role since May 2022, Cheyanne is loving the experience and hopes that her approachable style is helping to bring out the best in her team and providing young people a role model they can relate to. “It is really important to engage with staff and find out what they want and need. It’s about mutual respect – most people have ideas and goals and are happy to talk with you if they trust you.” Having grown up in Westport, Cheyanne is a true West Coaster and enjoys living and working close to her friends and family in town. She finds it easy to maintain a healthy work/life balance and enjoys the area’s relaxed outdoor lifestyle. “It’s beautiful here with lots of outdoorsy things to do. You can get on your bike, to the beach and there are lots of good walking tracks.” Cheyanne has worked hard to earn the trust of her team. During the 2020 and 2021 lockdowns - when she was 2IC and when people were worried and unsure about the threat of COVID-19, the effects on their work, and about things like vaccination - Talley’s held lots of factory floor meetings and tried to support staff as individuals. “We bonded, for sure. Our factory staff were essential workers, and we kept the factory going. We didn’t know what was going to happen with COVID-19 and people were fearful for their health and their families’ health so we kept the communication lines open and made room for emotions.” COVID-19 is still a worry but now the cost of living is also hitting hard. As a manager Cheyanne sees the opportunity to help ease the pressure in her hometown – by keeping the factory running as efficiently as possible, by seeing opportunities to expand and by encouraging local people into vacancies.
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