MIT ākonga makes screen debut in Down for Love

26/10/23

Charlize Wilson, an ākonga in our NZ Skills for Living for Supported Learners programme, featured on a recent episode of Down for Love (Season 2, episode 3).

The show featured a clip of 18-year-old Charlize in class at our Ōtara campus with lecturer Cushla Wilson and her classmates.  It provided a warm and natural representation from Charlize and her whānau of the benefits of the programme for skill-building in relationships and in a work-experience supported environment.

“It’s so cool,” says Charlize’s mum Caroline in the clip, “She comes home and she’s chatting to all these people – they’re friends she’s made on the course.”

Senior lecturer Cushla Wilson adds, “The course provides a great steppingstone from school to joining the adult world of work.

“We provide a welcoming, safe environment where our students can flourish.

“We encourage our ākonga to think of themselves as young adults. We're passionate about people having the opportunities to fulfil their potential and move to whatever the next step might be.”

Charlize, who loves drama and performing, completed a Star/Trades Academy course at MIT as a high school student last year.

Ākonga on the NZ Skills for Living programme do a day a week of work experience as part of the course and Charlize is currently helping her parents in their newly established health and wellbeing training hub.

You can view the full episode clip here