Noel Rogers was able to take the time to evaluate and reflect on the valuable experiences he has had over the course of his career, during his Capable NZ study.

Noel has spent most of his career in aviation, beginning as an Aircraft Technician in the RNZAF.

“I have worked in aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities as well as for an aircraft leasing and finance company and now work for our national airline, Air New Zealand,” says Noel.

His responsibilities have increased as his career has progressed. He’s held positions including team leader, project manager, manufacturing manager and more recently manager of safety and compliance.

Noel was no stranger to study when he came to us, but the Capable NZ model was a bit different to what he was used to.

“I had previously studied largely specialised technical subjects such as completing my Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Licence as well as two diplomas in aeronautical certification and a certificate of aviation leasing and finance,” says Noel.

He had also completed numerous executive leadership courses through NZIM which the Capable NZ programme complimented nicely.

Noel liked that his Capable NZ programme highlighted the valuable experience he had gained over the course of his career.

“I was able to truly reflect on what had shaped me into who I was but more importantly, how I could apply the lessons learnt over these experiences into my future roles.”

He says the Capable NZ learning journey was well-structured and easy to follow.

“It was very helpful to have a facilitator who was always there to help as needed regardless of if it was via text, email or phone call. His guidance throughout made the journey a pleasure.”

Noel changed roles during the course of the programme and found that what he was learning helped him during the recruitment process.

“I was able to touch on key points that I would not have had otherwise considered had I not undertaken some of the additional learnings that were part of the programme.”

Noel hadn’t taken the time to reflect on some of the major undertakings that he’d been involved in during his career, before beginning the Capable programme.  

“It enabled me to be more self-aware of how I approached things and how I could use the lessons learnt from passed experiences to get the best out of the teams I have more recently been leading.”

Noel has grown in a way where he now challenges his own preconceptions more.

“This is both in professional and personal practice. It has made me become more aware of how my actions impact those around me, both in the workplace and at home with family and friends.”

Prior to undertaking the programme, Noel says he was probably guilty of not being open to learning new things that he thought were not mainstream and that he deemed not relevant to his own development.”

“Undertaking this programme has allowed me to grow in terms of being more open and receptive to challenging myself to learn new things.”

Now Noel has been accepted into Massey University to study a Master of Aviation.

“I’m hoping the qualifications I hold as well as this further study will position me well to progress into a senior management role at Air New Zealand.”