Tuesday, 20 July 2010
Three Porirua young people say their life before "boot camp" was a one-way street to nowhere.
The trio were among 80 trainees to graduate from an intensive six-week Limited Service Volunteer course at the New Zealand Defence Force base in Trentham on Saturday.
They were the first to complete the Government-funded youth development programmes run by the defence force, designed to equip youth with skills to get them into employment or training. 
Porirua trainees Stefan Makaio, Jansey Iasona and Zakery Gamble were all referred to the boot camp-style course by Work and Income New Zealand (Winz).
Trainees undergo an intensive programme of lectures, workshops and physical activities to develop core values of respect, teamwork and trust, aimed to boost self-esteem and confidence.
"I was lazy before I came here. I just hung out with my mates and played PlayStation all day, but being here has given me a lot of time to think," says Mr Makaio.
With his ex-girlfriend about to have their first child, the 19-year-old says his priorities needed to change.
"This gave me the kick up the arse that I needed. I was acting like a kid and not thinking about my future."
He initially wanted to join the police but last week enlisted in the Royal New Zealand Navy after he learnt about it during the course.
Eighteen-year-old Ms Iasona, one of only six females in her platoon, says she has come a long way from "staying home and smoking weed every day".
"I honestly don't know what I'll do now, but I know it won't be what I used to do. All my friends will still be doing the same thing but I'll be out working."
Ms Iasona says she will miss the other trainees but is glad she won't have to do any more push-ups for "corrective training" again.
Mr Gamble says he found a renewed sense of self-discipline after the programme and wants to re-enrol in the music course he failed to complete two years ago.
Almost 2000 trainees will attend the volunteer courses in either Burnham in Christchurch, Trentham or Hobsonville, Auckland. Winz places all trainees in full-time employment or full-time further training when they finish.
By ESTHER LAUAKI - Kapi-Mana News