Jack jumps at QRS learning opportunities

IF Quality Roading and Services could be assured of just one thing in employing 19-year-old Jack Te Amo, it’s that he’d be physically fit.

Growing up in Wairoa, Jack was a keen sportsman playing just about any code he could to a high level, eventually devoting much of his time to rugby.

“Every day after school my koro Wheti Manuel would have all us moko out there running, biking, swimming . . . whatever was on the plan for that day,” he says.

“He was really into sport and physical fitness and wanted us to be too. And it worked!”

These days, Jack, Ngāti Kahungunu, lives with his partner at Tuai and plays as a handy fullback or winger for the local Tapuae Rugby Club, while also working as a labourer for Quality Roading and Services.

“I started at QRS in March 2020 but the country soon went into lockdown. As soon as we got to alert level 2 I was able to come back and get into the work.”

As a member of the QRS routine road maintenance team, for Jack that work largely involves stabilising roads and repairing edge breaks.

He upskilled early by gaining his full driver’s license, then his wheels, tracks and rollers license, traffic control, first aid, and basic chainsaw skills. Now he says he's aiming even higher.

“I’m really keen to get my class 2 license so I can drive the crew cabs, then move on to getting tickets to operate the bigger vehicles,” he says.

“Joining QRS means all these different experiences are open to you. It's just up to you to take them and I am really grateful for the opportunity.”

5 August 2021

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