Simple settlement steps to employment
Noel Mendoza is enjoying the challenges that his job as director of Wellington ICT presents him with every day.
WICT, a not-for-profit trust set up to help communities and community organisations gain an entry into the e-world, engages, equips and empowers community and voluntary groups by providing access to ICT, capability building and upskilling programmes.
“It’s a high pressure job but at the same time it’s very fulfilling, helping to empower people who need practical knowledge of computers,” says Noel.
ICT is Noel’s passion – he has a degree in computer science from the Ateneo de Zamboanga University in the Philippines, a Masters in electronics and electrical engineering which he completed in Japan and has spent 15 years looking after ICT for the Philippine Government.
“Life was okay but I was always looking for bigger opportunities in terms of my career and bigger opportunities for my children too, in terms of work."
“My brother and his family live here, so we decided to migrate as well,” says Noel, who has an eight-year-old daughter, three-year-old son and a partner who is also an ICT professional."
However, Noel didn’t expect so many setbacks given his qualifications and work history.
“I had years of ICT experience but I kept getting rejection letter after rejection letter. I didn’t know my CV wasn’t written properly, I didn’t really have any idea about the job market or how to go about getting a job.”
Eventually he discovered Career Services and heard about other employment services available to newcomers through one of its workshops.
From there he sought help from Settlement Support New Zealand and English Language Partners, which referred him to a job mentoring service and the Skilled Newcomers Programme run by the Wellington Employers’ Chamber of Commerce.
“I learned how to become a Kiwi, how to go about getting a job, how to write a CV and what to do in an interview, it was very helpful.”
So much so Noel landed his current job just a month later.
“At the seminars they said to explore volunteering, which I did, and through that I learned of the opening here at Wellington ICT, so I applied and I got it.”
Wellington ICT chair Heather Newell says despite having only recently arrived in New Zealand, the way Noel quickly established his own networks by volunteering with the Federation of Voluntary Welfare Organisations was a positive asset in his securing the job.
“Since coming on board he has quickly grown those networks so that within a matter of months he had an understanding of who was working in the digital space and where the trust could make an impact."
”You don't realise all the things that an immigrant needs to get to grips with until you work closely with a new employee - as a manager Noel has quickly learnt about our employment laws, our financial systems, recruitment processes, cultural differences, local government roles and responsibilities, important legislative issues such as broadband, the roles of corporates and representative bodies.
“Noel has risen to the challenges of working in the non-profit sector in Wellington and very quickly I became confident that he can lead the trust into the future and be a great asset to the Wellington community.”
Now a permanent resident, Noel speaks proudly and excitedly of his new job, one which he says has him on his toes every day.
“I’ve come from a big department where everything is specialised, someone is assigned to every task imaginable, but here we’re a small company – there are five of us – we have a very tight budget, we depend on grants and I have to be jack of all trades."
“I am very happy with the decision to move my family here. Work is fantastic, we rent a nice place in Newlands, my daughter is enjoying school and my wife and son are enjoying the pre-school years. I have no regrets whatsoever.”
