A beneficiary who aims to pay off her mortgage and show her kids the world, Daphne Cooper is well on her way to better job prospects after her stand-out success in tertiary studies.

EIT Hawke’s Bay chief executive Chris Collins recently (July 30) presented the model student with National Certificates in Computing, Levels 2 and 3 at a celebratory morning tea held at EIT’s Maraenui Learning Centre.

Daphne – the first to complete both certificates at the learning centre – is now working on completing her Certificate in Business before progressing onto EIT’s diploma and degree business studies programmes.

Maraenui centre coordinator Karen Beets says Daphne had low self-esteem when she started her studies and she had watched her grow into a stronger person.

Born and raised in Napier, the mother-of-three left school at 15 and, with no formal qualifications, could only get low-paying jobs.  Going back to study has been a challenge and there were a couple of times last year she was tempted to give it away.

“I was used to not learning,” Daphne says, but the thought of sitting at home with nothing to do has kept her on track.  She’s also a great role model for her children – Bodean, aged 13, says Mum’s success is good, Anton, 8, goes one better with “great” and 12-year-old Carlos thinks her achievement is “awesome”.

Every night the family support one another by settling down to study and do homework together before having their evening meal.

Living in Marewa, Daphne has enjoyed using the well-resourced Maraenui Learning Centre.  And, she says, “it comes in handy being close to home.”

Next year, she will be based on EIT’s Taradale campus to take on even more challenging studies.
“I am trying to get off the benefit,” Daphne says, “so I want higher skills.  I want to get into the business world.”