Patrick Jacobsen

Niuean Patrick Jacobsen is the first Pasifika graduate of Otago Polytechnic’s Electrical Trades programme.

“My time at Otago Polytechnic was really rewarding,” Patrick says.

Patrick had been a chef, but decided it was time for a change into a career with nine-to-five workdays. He was also excited to move into a field that would leave more of a permanent mark on the world.

“It’s really nice to have something that is tangible, that you can show your kids and show you family. When the kids grow older, they can point out ‘Grandad helped do that!’

"Looking at the architecture here in Dunedin – people in the trades have helped build these things and they’re strong, they’re durable and they withstand time.”

Patrick’s studies were supported by a Pasifika scholarship through first the Electrical Pre-Trade programme and then the apprenticeship-based level 4 certificate.

“Patrick is such a hardworking student,” says David Bettis, Head of Allied Trades at Otago Polytechnic. “We’re really proud of him. He was involved in community projects and did a lot of hard mahi. He’s a real asset to the industry, the workplace, and to the Polytechnic.”

During his studies, Patrick faced some hardships, but he says the tutors were very helpful.

“I am just really grateful to have such a team to fall back on if I was falling behind. They're always there to make sure that you're on track.

“I really like to push the trades on people who are like looking for something in their life that they can see is quite fulfilling. For anyone wanting to pursue the trades, it's such a rewarding career.”