Recently arrived in New Zealand, Retha Jonker hasn’t wasted a moment to seize new opportunities and chase her dreams.
Retha immigrated from Namibia to Invercargill in August 2023, and almost immediately connected with SIT, which she’d heard about through word of mouth. “People I met told me about the community courses at SIT,” she says. Initially interested in these, she attended a SIT open day in October 2023 and heard about the Zero Fees Scheme. “… since I always have been interested in Architecture studies, I enrolled for the Diploma in Architectural Technology.”
Having a resident’s visa, Retha was able to work, pursue study options, and was eligible for Zero Fees . “I was a business owner back in Namibia… I was new to NZ and did not really know what to expect, but SIT lived up to anything that could be expected of a tertiary education facility. SIT is a great institution.”
Retha says the Architectural Technology programme gave her a good overview needed to be able to start a career in the building/construction industry and/or architectural designing and detailing, and/or the documentation industry.
“Although the course focused on documentation of a building project, we learnt a wide variety of other building aspects that I find very valuable.”
Retha learned to use the Archicad and Revit digital drafting programs. She also learned about the NZ Building Code, Building Standards, and some of the relevant legislation, a lot about building materials, some structural knowledge, architectural design principles and history, and knowledge about services and compliance.
“I gained a good understanding of the building/construction industry in NZ. It opened a new world to me and empowered me to be able to contribute meaningfully to the industry [here].”
Retha thought the programme succeeded in introducing the important aspects of the sector “in a way that I could now understand building in NZ in the right way” and concedes while she still has a lot to learn, “overall, I now have a much better understanding of how the industry fits together”.
A highlight of the programme was a class trip to Queenstown. “[It] was amazing,” Retha says. “… if I have to single out a lecturer who played a special role on the course, it would be Keith Pyne. His knowledge and the experience that he shared with us was extremely valuable.”
Retha used the student-friendly facilities at SIT to support her learning journey. “[They] are also very good. I loved the printery where I did all my assignment binding; the personnel were always super friendly and helpful.”
“It was convenient to have a good computer room available at any time to work on our projects and models. The cafeteria areas, with comfortable seating, access to hot water, a microwave oven and a sink was the best place to have lunch.”
Retha speaks frankly about the challenges of adjusting to life and her studies here in New Zealand. And it was tough, so much so, that to start with she admits “I did not think that I was going to make it”.
“In the beginning it was a very steep learning curve for me and the [Kiwi] accent was initially very difficult to get used to.” However, reaching out to Course Manager, Tony Lemin, proved to be the difference between make or break for Retha. “Tony is the most awesome person; his support was invaluable. I will never forget him in my whole life.”
Newly graduated Retha hasn’t wasted any time in applying for jobs and pursuing opportunities presented through SIT. “I am definitely looking for a role in the Architectural Technology direction,” she says. After taking a well-deserved break over Christmas and New Year, Retha will be knocking on doors in January “… as soon as the industry opens up again”.