Stan offers life skills to others

They say experience is the best teacher, and Stan Chesswas has plenty of it.

Stan is "passionate about offering quality training" and has set up Trans Tasman Training Ltd in Stratford with the desire to give people "from all backgrounds" the opportunity to learn new skills.

Stan has spent many years working as a contractor, and while he calls himself "a mechanical geek", the reality is that through his years working on farms and for various contracting firms here and in Australia, he has gained plenty of knowledge. Stan has more than five years of training experience from his time in Australia, and has maintained connections in the industry there, meaning he can offer clients training that is recognised in Australia, as well as accessing employment opportunities there.

"I've always loved sharing a skill I have gained and teaching it to someone else. In a way, I wish I had done this 20 years ago, but then again, you need the life experience before you can teach, especially when it comes to practical skills."

Stan is offering a variety of courses from his Broadway office, from truck driver training to forklift courses, safety systems to dangerous goods, as well as driving lessons for cars. He says the courses are designed to suit a wide range of skill levels. "We have a class 2 truck and a forklift already on site, and we have more vehicles coming," Stan says that having their own vehicles for students to learn in, opens the courses up to a wider audience.

"We can also come to your workplace, and do training onsite."

Stan prides himself on working with students who may have limited reading or writing skills. "I have gone through it myself, I know how frustrating it is, and I also know that not being brilliant at spelling doesn't mean you can't operate machinery or learn new skills."

Stan had to relearn how to read and write, following a motorbike accident in Australia, "so I have a real understanding of the difficulties, but also the possibilities".

He is offering vouchers for driving lessons as Christmas gifts. "We have have already had quite a bit of interest from people with teenagers. We are able to offer personalised tuition, in Stratford, and help people prepare for their AA test".

Stan and his team will be at the Hawera and Stratford A&P shows over the next two weeks, and says they have some show specials planned. "With the range of courses we have on offer, there is something for everyone, and we are happy to answer any questions."