Year 13 students from Tereora College, are participating in a five-day work experience programme across several divisions of the Cook Islands Trading Corporation (CITC).

Tiare Monga and Joelle Tinirau both opted for work experience in an office role and were both placed in the Matson agent Excil Shipping office in Avatiu.

Monga said she has learnt a lot of new things about what is involved in office administration and is liking the new environment.

“There are so many opportunities at CITC in so many different roles, many that I didn’t know about, I’m enjoying it,” said Monga.

She has a passion for “coding” (creating a set of instructions for computers to follow), and says she has yet to decide upon her plans for next year.

Maru Apera, Matson Excil Shipping's general manager said they encouraged the students to buddy up to help them feel more comfortable.

Apera said although they were both students, quite nervous and shy on their first day, they both quickly moved past the initial stage, into feeling more at ease in the office.

“This is the first time we have tapped into this student work experience programme; it is good for our young people to have the opportunity to see what it’s like in different working environments,” said Apera.

April Mana, CITC’s Training Manager mentioned that CITC has had a good number of students join them straight out of high school who have progressed into management roles.