Lauryn was awarded Top Student in the Automotive Heavy programme, as well as top overall Automotive student.
Growing up on a farm near Edendale, Lauryn shares she had always been surrounded by machinery. While she hadn't really been involved in operating or maintaining the farm equipment during her younger years, she was really interested in trucks and heavy machinery from an early age.
A work experience placement at Fonterra during her final year at St Peter's College helped to confirm a career in heavy machinery was exactly what she wanted. "I was fascinated by trucks and big machinery and thought, what if I could do that for a job?" she said.
After completing Year 13, Lauryn enrolled at SIT and found her feet in the programme's practical, hands-on learning environment. "It was very involved and there was a lot of hands-on work, which is the way I learn best," she said.
Although she entered the programme with less practical experience than some of her classmates, Lauryn's determination and competitive nature came to the fore.
"It was hard sometimes seeing other people understand things before I did," she admitted. "But I had heaps of support, and I’m quite a competitive learner … that probably helped me catch up."
By the end of the year, Lauryn had done more than catch up. Her achievements on the course displayed her ability and the work ethic she brought to her studies.
Following graduation, Lauryn secured an apprenticeship with a heavy equipment company, however, in 2025, an unexpected redundancy brought her plans to an abrupt halt.
"It was a bit disappointing," she said. "I thought I'd had one apprenticeship and didn't really like my chances of finding another one."
As she began preparing her CV and looking for a new job, Lauryn reached out to her SIT Tutor, Neil Allen, to ask whether he would continue to be a referee for her. That conversation set in motion a chain of events that would ultimately lead to another opportunity.
SIT's Cathy Jenner (Employment Liaison & Administrator) became aware of Lauryn's situation and stepped in to see if she could provide support. “Through my industry liaison role I knew SouthRoads was looking for an apprentice; I contacted them and recommended Lauryn,” she said.
"Cathy rang me…" Lauryn said. "It was incredible really. I hadn't even considered asking for help. I never would have found SouthRoads without Cathy letting me know about it."
After speaking to SouthRoads and meeting with the manager, Neil Hall, Lauryn was offered a position, which allowed her apprenticeship to continue without interruption. "There was no gap in between," she said. "That was really good."
Lauryn is thriving in her role with SouthRoads, where working on a broad range of equipment has opened the door to new learning opportunities.
"There's a lot more variety of equipment to work on. Every day is different, and there's always something new to learn. It's more interesting than working on just trucks, as I had been previously.”
The experience has reinforced Lauryn’s confidence that she has chosen the right career path. "100%, it feels really fulfilling," she said. "I've found my niche."
Looking ahead, Lauryn says she can "absolutely” see herself staying with the company for years to come and reaching her fullest potential in the sector. Her goal is to eventually manage a workshop and take responsibility for the day-to-day running of operations, perhaps even supporting the next generation of apprentices.
For now, she is focused on learning as much as possible and building a long-term future with SouthRoads.
Reflecting on the experience, Lauryn can see she found the silver lining in her unexpected setback, which has ultimately led her to a role that she believes is an even better fit for her future.
Mrs Jenner added “Lauryn's journey is an inspiring example of how her resilience, teamed with our industry connections and ongoing support beyond graduation, turned a challenging situation into an opportunity.”
SouthRoads Manager Neil Hall says the inclusion of the first female apprentice to their team is a decision that has paid off.
“Lauryn’s been more successful than I ever would have thought; she's like a breath of fresh air - a good worker and just a really good new team member.“ He added that the whole workplace had been given a new lease of life.
While it was new ground for most of the workshop team, “they’ve welcomed her and I just can’t believe how well she fits in; she’s got a really good attitude and a good rapport with all the guys.”
Mr Hall wants his apprentices to see a long-term future with the company, who provide a supportive team environment for learning and opportunities to progress in their career. “Especially with the variety of fleet that we have and it's a big fleet. Lauryn’s doing a truck apprenticeship, and I've asked her to do a heavy earth moving apprenticeship as well, just to add another feather in her cap.”
While Mr Hall admits not every apprentice works out, he is confident their newest recruit is a win for the company with her positive attitude and strong work ethic. “She’s a treasure; I would clone her if I could.”