Ryan Purvis values MITO scholarship opportunity
Christchurch-based collision repair technician Ryan Purvis recently received a MITO Graduate Scholarship giving him the opportunity to train in first line management.
Ryan has worked at Perfect Autobody Ltd in Christchurch for the last 12 years and holds a level 4 National Certificate in panel beating, as well as an ‘A' grade qualification in panel beating for which he received the highest mark in New Zealand for his exam at the time.
Ryan first found out about MITO's First Line Management programme at a State Insurance dinner that he went to upon completion of MITO's Collision Repair Extension programme. "I wasn't really aware of the First Line Management programme until the [recently retired] MITO board chairman, Peter Hancock, started discussing it with me. I became quite interested and decided to go for the scholarship".
When the winners for the scholarships were announced, Ryan admits that he was very happy as he wasn't sure how he would go. "Putting my CV together really got me thinking as I haven't had to apply for any jobs in a while. I had really good encouragement from all the other staff and especially from my manager, Wayne Houghton, who has supported me a lot".
Ryan has also competed in SkillEx, winning two of the Canterbury regional competitions, and has done numerous I-CAR NZ training programmes. Ryan's success in training and competitions has proved valuable in his workplace where he is passing on his skills and knowledge to collision repair apprentices.
When he's not in the workshop, you'll usually find Ryan out on the water. His love of water sports, including water-skiing and knee-boarding, takes up most of his free time, and he is about to step down after two years as the Canterbury Outboard Boating Club Captain.