Case Study – Taina Hetet

Taina Hetet

Electronic Security Specialist – Sensormatic New Zealand

Electronic security specialist Taina Hetet has stuck with his training programme at E-tec through difficult times brought by COVID-19.  Support from E-tec, his employer and his family made all the difference.

When 29-year-old Taina Hetet’s employer Sensormatic New Zealand offered him the opportunity to further his career with study, he jumped at the chance. Hailing from Ngāti Pikiahu-Waewae, Tuwharetoa and Maniapoto iwi and based in Wellington, Hetet is a focused person who’s keen to develop his skills as a security professional. 

“Moving from telecommunications into a security company, I felt like doing some formal training in my own time to progress my career. With that training, I could slowly move up in the ranks and become a qualified electronic security technician.” 

Hetet began studying towards the New Zealand Certificate in Electrotechnology (Level 3) with E-tec and MIT in February 2020, just weeks before New Zealand’s first COVID-19 lockdown. 

When the pandemic hit, Hetet was engaged in distance learning and taking care of his grandparents at home. It was a stressful time, but he felt supported by Sensormatic, which made special accommodations for him during this period. 

“Even with us being an essential service, I wasn’t called out at all and I was given time to do my study,” he says. “It just gave me an opportunity to knuckle down.” 

Hetet wasn’t shy about contacting E-tec for help and advice with his study, and they made sure he had everything he needed to achieve. 

“I’ve often just called E-tec up and asked them ‘Am I doing this right?’ and usually got a response straight away. I don’t have a single bad thing to say about my experience with those guys.” 

Asked if he has anything to say to trainees studying through tough times, Hetet has two pieces of advice:  

1) Ask for help when you need it. 

2) Know that you’re not on your own. 

“There are times where I couldn’t interpret something and I’ve never been ashamed to ask for help, whether it be from my colleagues or from tutors,” he says. “If you don’t know what you’re doing, there’s no point keeping quiet about it.” 

“I’ve been fortunate in that aspect that not only have I had good tutors for E-tec, but a good support group from people in my company who are always willing to help with anything.” 

Hetet has now achieved his goal of becoming an electronic security technician, despite the difficulty of navigating his coursework through COVID-19.  
 
He is already looking ahead to the next challenge: “I obviously still want to progress my learning, and I know that E-tec offers a Level 4 in electronic security. It could be something for the not-too-distant future.”