Combining a love of carpentry with inspiring young people
A love of hands-on work and finding enjoyment in working with young people has led qualified carpenter, Jo Hare, to her current role as Foundation Studies lecturer at Otago Polytechnic. Not only does she teach literacy and numeracy, but she also takes the carpentry component of the trades-based foundation programmes.
Jo grew up on a high country farm and credits her upbringing as one of the factors she was drawn to practical work. "I really enjoy the creative side of it and the opportunity to work outdoors appeals, too. Plus, I've always got on well with guys and I like working with them."
After spending her early working life as a teacher aide, Jo decided she wanted a change of career. Carpentry beckoned, and once she had finished her year of training she secured a position with Naylor Love in Dunedin. There, she was involved in large construction and worked on projects such as the extension to the Edgar Centre and the Living Spaces build.
A stint teaching foundation studies to inmates at Otago Corrections Facility followed.
But it was her move to Otago Polytechnic that allowed Jo to combine her passion for teaching and working with young people, with her love of carpentry. Not only is she a Foundation Studies lecturer, but she coordinates the Youth Guarantee Scheme trades course for 16 and 17 year olds and teaches the carpentry component. "These courses are for kids who feel school doesn’t suit them, but they still want to get an education. They’re usually more practically inclined, and don’t want to be sitting in a classroom all day."
She says some of the young women on the courses initially feel daunted by the male-dominated classes, but she says that feeling usually passes quite quickly. "I was the only woman out of 40 in the carpentry programme I took at Otago Polytechnic in 2004. It didn’t really bother me; I was a bit older and wasn't intimidated by it. Some younger girls may have a different experience, but when more women get involved in the trades I think it will eventually become less of an issue."