![\"FPANZ](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/L-R_DamienStanyon_KevinWithell_CaitlynONeale_MalcomPearce_KerryWhite-678x381.jpg\" "\\"Fpanz")
\nCaitlyn O\u2019Neale, Service Supervisor with Alliance Fire & Security Ltd named runner-up. Image supplied.<\/p>\n
\nCaitlyn O\u2019Neale, Service Supervisor with Alliance Fire & Security Ltd named runner-up. Image supplied.<\/p>\n
A fire technician and service supervisor receive Fire Learner of the Year Award gongs in annual awards that celebrate excellence across New Zealand\u2019s fire protection industry.<\/p>\n
Hamilton-based Fire Technician Jithin Jose of Simply Fire Ltd has been named New Zealand Fire Learner of the Year 2024, recognised at the FPANZ Conference Awards Dinner in Auckland last week. <\/p>\n
Caitlyn O\u2019Neale, Service Supervisor with Alliance Fire & Security Ltd in the Wairarapa, was named runner-up from a strong field of seven national finalists.<\/p>\n
For Jithin, learning isn\u2019t about certificates on a wall \u2014 it\u2019s about sharing knowledge and helping others grow. \u201cKnowledge isn\u2019t meant to stop with one person \u2013 it has to be transferred. If I learn something, I want to share it with the next person,\u201d he said. That belief has guided his career and underpinned his success.<\/p>\n
Originally from Mangalore, India, Jithin spent more than a decade working in the Middle East\u2019s oil and gas sector, leading multinational engineering teams on complex projects across Kuwait, Bahrain, Russia and Singapore. After moving to New Zealand in 2014 to build a life for his young family, he found himself starting again \u2013 facing language barriers and the challenge of re-establishing a career from the ground up.<\/p>\n
Now based in Nawton, Hamilton, Jithin works for Simply Fire in Frankton and has completed both the New Zealand Certificate in Fire Protection (Level 3) and the New Zealand Certificate in Fire Detection and Alarm Systems (Level 4). He is now advancing to the New Zealand Certificate in Fire Systems Technology (Level 4).<\/p>\n
Despite English being his second language, Jithin has consistently completed his studies ahead of schedule while also mentoring the four apprentices who have since joined the Simply Fire team. \u201cWhen we teach someone new, it strengthens what we already know. That\u2019s why I support our apprentices. Learning never ends \u2013 for me or for them,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
Simply Fire General Manager, Lindsay Duffy, says Jithin\u2019s calm confidence brings out the best in everyone. \u201cHis time is precious, yet he continues to achieve and deliver ahead of schedule. He mentors our trainees and leads by example \u2013 humble, reliable, and deeply respected.\u201d<\/p>\n
Competenz Training Advisor Steve Maudlin says Jithin\u2019s commitment has been exceptional, describing him as an outstanding learner, \u201calways ahead of time and always delivering more than was asked. If I had a portfolio full of learners with Jithin\u2019s work ethic, I\u2019d have the easiest job in Competenz.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI came to New Zealand with experience, but I had to start again and prove myself,\u201d said Jithin. \u201cEvery qualification reminds me that hard work and humility still matter, no matter where you begin.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Jithin, the next goal is to return to a leadership role \u2013 to guide others and to multiply the impact of his learning. \u201cIn my previous job I managed teams and projects across countries. I miss that connection \u2013 helping people grow. Every day I try to get one percent better so that one day I can help others do the same.\u201d<\/p>\n
Runner-up Caitlyn O\u2019Neale, 24, has taken a completely different path \u2013 one that began behind the shelves of a supermarket. When she interviewed for her first role at Alliance Fire & Security, she admits she had no idea what the fire protection industry involved. \u201cThe day before my interview, I watched YouTube videos about installing sprinkler systems \u2013 something I\u2019ve never actually done in this job!\u201d she laughs.<\/p>\n
Just five years later, the Carterton local is the Wairarapa Service Supervisor, managing inspection and maintenance schedules for some of the region\u2019s most complex sites. Alliance Fire & Security is based in Lower Hutt, but Caitlyn is proudly Wairarapa-based \u2013 committed to her hometown and helping local industry thrive. <\/p>\n
She has completed the New Zealand Certificate in Fire Detection & Alarm Systems (Level 4) and is now studying toward the New Zealand Certificate in Passive Fire Protection Systems \u2013 Routine Compliance Inspections (Level 4).<\/p>\n
Her Training Advisor Malcolm Pearce describes her as \u201can awesome apprentice \u2013 hungry to learn and improve.\u201d Caitlyn\u2019s path has been underscored by curiosity and grit. She credits her success to supportive mentors at work and her own disciplined approach to work and study. Balancing a full-time job, volunteer firefighting and a love of music \u2013 she performs regular solo gigs \u2013 she has completed every assignment on time. <\/p>\n
\u201cI separate work and life carefully. Evenings are for study, weekends are for family and the brigade. It\u2019s about respecting every part of your life and giving it your full attention,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
She\u2019s also found a new passion in customer relationships and sales, enjoying the human side of technical work. \u201cI love connecting with people, understanding their needs and frustrations, and finding ways to help. That\u2019s what motivates me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alliance Managing Director Kerry White says Caitlyn is a standout. \u201cShe\u2019s calm, methodical, and dependable \u2013 already operating beyond her years of experience. She embodies our company values and has the potential to be a great leader. <\/p>\n
Caitlyn sees her future firmly in the Wairarapa. \u201cI want to see Alliance grow \u2013 and I want to help the Wairarapa grow too. This region is my home, and I\u2019m proud to build something here.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Fire Learner of the Year Award celebrates excellence across New Zealand\u2019s fire protection industry \u2013 recognising learners who combine technical skill, determination, and the drive to lift others.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Caitlyn O\u2019Neale, Service Supervisor with Alliance Fire & Security Ltd named runner-up. Image supplied. A fire technician and…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":100416,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[73478,73479,43599,73480,111,43,139,69],"class_list":["post-100415","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-new-zealand","tag-caitlyn-oneale","tag-fpanz","tag-industry-awards","tag-jithin-jose","tag-new-zealand","tag-news","tag-newzealand","tag-nz"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/100415","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=100415"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/100415\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/100416"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=100415"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=100415"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=100415"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}