James Notton
Storeman, Coghlan Auckland Limited, Auckland Airport.
Qualification: Modern Apprenticeship in Warehousing and Distribution Level 3
Job Basics: Working in a warehouse, dealing with freight inwards and outwards, completing stock orders.
James Notton is on the up and up.
The busy 19-year-old works in a massive warehouse near Auckland Airport and has just completed a Modern Apprenticeship in Warehousing.
He is well on his way to making a career in the challenging logistics sector.
Like a lot of young people, James left school without a concrete idea of what he wanted to do.
Searching for job opportunities he first started working in the warehouse's mail room.
After only a few months of proving himself he was asked if he would like to join the 15-strong team who work in the huge New Zealand Post Distribution Centre.
Since then he has become an important team member in the bustling warehouse where more than 50 orders are made up and sent out daily. He has also worked through his apprenticeship course which took two years.
"I didn't really know much about warehousing or the job possibilities in the beginning but I am stoked with how things have worked out."
James's employer, Coghlan Auckland Limited, is an international direct mailing company with warehouses in Australia as well as Auckland.
Supplies such as pharmaceutical goods are sent to the warehouse from around the world and James's team gets the orders ready for New Zealand customers.
James enjoys the hard physical work. He uses the forklift driving skills he developed as part of his apprenticeship and IT skills he learnt on the job.
On a typical day James might use the forklift to lift stock from huge pallet racks, complete ordering on the computer or ensure order labels have been sent out. He might also unload newly arrived containers.
"It's hard work and there is a bit of pressure involved especially when we are short of staff it's good to work as part of a team" he says.
James's boss, Operations Manager Anthony Evans, arranged for the training through provider Tradestaff.
A big part of the qualification centered on safety in the work place, how to correctly lift heavy objects and work with various stock.
James would complete a work book a month, working away at weekends. The workbooks would be checked at the end of the month.
"It was great to pass it and learn from I would like to do another certificate at some stage."
Anthony has been pleased with James's work progress through the apprenticeship scheme.
"It has been really good for his confidence. It has helped him out greatly on the job. It's good for people like James to get involved in an apprenticeship of some kind.
"You can take it anywhere and there is always are a shortage of good storeman."
Anthony said being able to relate the study to the work place was key for James.
"That way you can understand what you are doing and why you are doing it."