Amanda Gunn
Blyde Terminal Operations Coordinator, New Plymouth
Qualifications: Level 4 National Certificate in Cargo Operations with strands in Cargo Supervision and Cargo Planning.
Job Basics: Working at the port, responsible for vessel and yard planning and vessel supervision. Much of Amanda's work is computer based.
Port Taranaki employee Amanda Gunn is proving female port workers have got what it takes to succeed in the port industry.
The 25-year-old recently became the first woman in the country to complete a Level 4 National Certificate in Cargo Operations with strands in both Cargo Supervision and Cargo Planning.
Amanda started at the port four years ago as a Data Input Clerk completing receivals and deliveries of full and empty containers into the port terminal from road and rail.
Currently she is one of three Blyde Terminal Operations Coordinators who are responsible for vessel and yard planning and vessel supervision.
"I keep an eye on what ships are coming in and when, using a computer system to see how they are configured, and planning where the containers will be loaded."
Amanda says the yard needs to be carefully planned and allocated both from a ship loading and unloading perspective.
Containers must be readily accessible without having to move too many others in the process.
"It's crucial because when the ship arrives we need everything to run smoothly," she says.
Amanda is following family tradition with her career path that she describes as challenging, fast-paced and different every day.
"I was attracted to the job as my Dad and Grandfather worked in the transport industry so I have always been around machinery and I thought it was something I would enjoy.
"I really enjoy the operations side of my job, getting out there into the action surrounding the wharf. No ship or day is ever the same."
Although her fellow workers are predominantly male it's not an issue for Amanda.
"I think the industry has gone through a shift where it's recognised women can do the work and do it well and more women are entering the industry.
"Some of the guys here have been employees for around 40 years - they have a lot of knowledge and you can learn from their expertise and experience," she says.
The NZQA-approved training Amanda completed was a mixture of both theory and practical work and was completed on site at Port Taranaki by trainers from Featherston-based training provider Start Training Ltd.
The training has proven invaluable for her work and she enjoyed the hands-on practical aspects involved.
"The tutors apply most of the content to real situations here at Port Taranaki," she says.
"This makes it easier and more interesting to learn. I enjoyed being out in the yard with the tutor, showing them how we do certain things and being told we were doing it right."
Amanda now wants to fill her CV with even more achievements. She will soon sit her forklift licence and then move onto supervision and introductory management training.
Port Taranaki Human Resource Officer, Tara Fairhurst, says about 30 percent of the port's workforce are engaged in training and more are currently being signed into National Certificate courses.
"In the past workers had no way of proving their competency in their field as there were no qualifications they could achieve.
"Achieving a National Certificate has instilled some pride in having their skills and their trade recognised."
News story on Amanda's achievements [Stuff website]