Help is at hand

Asking for help is the secret to Bayley Austin’s success. The Rotorua-based drainlayer and digger operator, recently completed his apprenticeship with the assistance of a reader/writer who worked with him during his exam.

Bayley, who works for Central Drainage and Earthworks, has dyslexia which can make some of the reading and writing aspects of his training a challenge. Having seen his younger brother, who also has dyslexia, get learning support through school, Bayley looked into what was available to him that would help him complete his vocational training.

With the help of his EarnLearn account managers Jules Millar and Lisa Nisbett, Bayley successfully applied to have reader/writer support when he sat his exam — and passed. “I was so excited to get the qualification, I screamed,” he laughs.

“Having that support in the exam was such a huge help in the exam, but it has also helped me understand new tips and tricks on how to read the questions.”

Bayley’s advice to anybody who is struggling in their training thanks to dyslexia or another type of hurdle is to ask for help.

“Talk to the person putting you through the apprenticeship, the people helping with your training and tell them what you’re struggling with.

“They’ll be able to help you, or they’ll help you find the right help.”

For further information about support with learning differences visit this section of the EarnLearn website.