Upper Hutt Breakfast Club succeeds again
Another Breakfast Club has concluded with eight women successfully completing the course.
Upper Hutt, 1 May 2014 - Breakfast Club, a course open to women who are actively seeking employment, completed the final
session just before Easter. Council’s Community Services team developed this intensive programme alongside Dress for Success, to offer participants tools and skills to enhance their employment opportunities.
In order to complete the course, the women are required to attend every session, which starts at 8.30 am, to establish a
routine of standard office hours. Course participants are given tools and resources around goal setting, creation and
tailoring of CVs and job applications, and the chance to talk to experienced professionals in the business world. They
learn how to present themselves appropriately for an interview, and how to successfully answer tough interview
questions.
“Breakfast Club has empowered me to keep motivated,” says Breakfast Club member Felicity Tyler. “We learnt how to
appropriately adapt a CV and cover letter, and how to prepare for an interview. The knowledge and support given by the
mentors and volunteers was very helpful for keeping on track.”
Council staff member responsible for coordinating Breakfast Club, Melanie Baxter, adds “It is a fantastic journey for
these women. Not only are they learning from specialists in the field, but also from each other. They leave Breakfast
Club as confident women, fully prepared to face the world or work, and to succeed in achieving their goals. We know that
this system works, as out of our small group, four women have already secured employment.”
Due to the success of the women’s version of Breakfast Club, there will be a pilot version of Breakfast Club for men in
May, with another women’s Breakfast Club session scheduled for August. “We are really excited about the opportunity for
men to access these same tools and techniques. If you are work-ready but your barrier to successful employment is
confidence, this could be the course for you!” says Melanie. Registrations are currently being taken via (04) 527 2795,
but places are extremely limited. For further information, please contact Melanie Baxter at melanie.baxter@uhcc.govt.nz
About Upper Hutt City Council
Upper Hutt City Council is the steward and custodian of Upper Hutt City, providing governance, infrastructure, and
community services and resources, and promoting opportunity in the city for business, recreation, lifestyle, and
leisure. Upper Hutt City is located 30 km north-east of Wellington City (41°07'34" S, 175°04'06" E) and boasts 70% of
the region’s parks and reserves, along with state-of-the-art entertainment and leisure facilities.
For more information on Upper Hutt City and the City Council, go towww.upperhuttcity.com
ENDS