Student Story

“You’ll get out what you put in” to Tai Poutini Polytechnic’s outdoor education training, says Ryan Colley – who’s been working on expeditions in New Zealand and Europe ever since graduating.

Growing up in Westport, Ryan says some of the best days he had at school were when the outdoor students from the polytechnic took his PE class out for trips into the surrounding mountains and rivers.

“A few years later I was working as a bricklayer in Christchurch but I knew I wanted to work in the outdoor industry, so Tai Poutini Polytechnic was the obvious place to start.”

Ryan says there was never a dull moment during his two years of training. “You’re surrounded by stoked and inspiring people, both tutors and students. The biggest challenge was taking a day out or finding time to study – you’re surrounded by doers, you have a bunch of new skills, and a shed full of equipment you’re encouraged to use!”

Since graduating, Ryan has worked at home and abroad and is planning to start the rigorous pathway to become a fully qualified mountain guide.

His advice to anyone thinking of enrolling is “you will get out what you put in” and says having worked for a couple of years before training helped him “appreciate having such an epic day-to-day life” at Tai Poutini Polytechnic.