Canvas is accessible only within New Zealand and Australia.
Canvas is accessible only within New Zealand and Australia.
Cambridge-based Treadlite collects thousands of end-of-life tyres once destined for landfill, transforming them into recycled rubber products used in New Zealand playgrounds, sports fields and horse arenas - with some products also exported to Australia.
As the country's only tyre recycler manufacturing rubber products for the domestic market, the 60-strong team and seven-year-old business is growing - and it is investing in its people with the same long-term mindset it applies to sustainability.
Through Competenz work-based manufacturing training programmes, Treadlite is creating clear development pathways that are strengthening capability, building confidence and preparing future leaders from within.
For many businesses, economic uncertainty is a reason to pause workforce development. For Treadlite, it has been the opposite.
"We decided that if we couldn't spend a lot of money, we could spend more time," says Treadlite HR Manager Katie Hannah.
"We're really focused on retaining our people, and I think a lot of that comes down to investing in them. The New Zealand Certificate in Manufacturing receives government funding support, so the biggest investment we make is giving our people the time to learn and grow.
"Our trainees typically complete the qualification over up to 12 months, giving them time to build practical skills and confidence while continuing in their day-to-day roles. That's an investment we're happy to make."
Today, six of Treadlite’s Cambridge employees are completing the New Zealand Certificate in Manufacturing (Level 2), following the success of an initial pilot group of two trainees.
One of those original participants was Plant 2IC and Health & Safety Representative 42-year-old Terrence Mohetaue, who has now completed Level 2 and progressed into Level 3 while mentoring the next intake of trainees.
"When I was first approached, I laughed and thought, 'I'm too old to be learning stuff now,'" says Terrence.
"But I couldn't have been more wrong. I saw it as a chance to create a foundation for the next group coming through. If we could build something that helps make it easier for our team to succeed, then that's a good thing."
The qualification has changed the way he approaches his work, encouraging him to think more deeply about manufacturing processes and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
"It made me realise how detailed and complex our work actually is. You're not just going through the motions anymore - you're thinking about why you do things and how they could be done even better."
That mindset has proved invaluable as Treadlite relocated to a new manufacturing facility, with Terrence applying his learning to redesign housekeeping processes, improve dust management and reinforce safer ways of working.
For Katie, seeing Terrence grow into a leader has been one of the most rewarding outcomes of the programme.
"He's our longest-serving plant employee and the difference in him over the past few years is night and day," she says.
"He's incredibly humble, but he naturally supports and encourages everyone around him. Anything Terrence wants to do, we'll support him to achieve. He's exactly the kind of person you want helping the next generation of trainees succeed."
Katie believes workforce development doesn't require a dedicated learning team or a large training budget - just commitment.
"It's easy to think you can't afford training during challenging times, but recruitment is expensive too. If we can keep our people, keep them engaged and give them opportunities to grow, that's a much better investment."
The programme is already creating a ripple effect throughout the business.
Alongside supporting manufacturing traineeships, Katie recently completed her own New Zealand Certificate in Health and Safety (Level 4), modelling the same commitment to lifelong learning that she encourages in her team.
She also credits Competenz with making workforce planning accessible and achievable.
"What I love about Competenz is that they work with you. They understand your budget, explain the funding that's available and offer different options that fit your business. It never feels like a one-size-fits-all approach."
Competenz Account Manager Debs Wand says Treadlite demonstrates what can happen when an employer genuinely commits to developing its people.
"Katie has created a learning culture that is part of how Treadlite operates.
"She manages HR, health and safety and environmental responsibilities across the business, yet still makes time to understand the qualifications, support her trainees and encourage them every step of the way. That level of commitment makes a real difference."
Debs says the partnership goes beyond supporting trainees into qualifications.
"As an Account Manager, my role is to work alongside the business to understand its workforce goals and identify training solutions that support long-term capability. Treadlite has embraced that approach and built a pathway where trainees can start with Level 2, progress into Level 3 and continue developing their careers."
For a company whose purpose is giving end-of-life tyres a second life, helping people realise their own potential feels like a natural extension of the business.
And for Katie, that's exactly the point.
"If we can spend time investing in our people now, they'll stay with us, grow with us and help take the business forward. That's a win for everyone."
July 7, 2026
.png)
Cambridge-based Treadlite collects thousands of end-of-life tyres once destined for landfill, transforming them into recycled rubber products used in New Zealand playgrounds, sports fields and horse arenas - with some products also exported to Australia.
As the country's only tyre recycler manufacturing rubber products for the domestic market, the 60-strong team and seven-year-old business is growing - and it is investing in its people with the same long-term mindset it applies to sustainability.
Through Competenz work-based manufacturing training programmes, Treadlite is creating clear development pathways that are strengthening capability, building confidence and preparing future leaders from within.
For many businesses, economic uncertainty is a reason to pause workforce development. For Treadlite, it has been the opposite.
"We decided that if we couldn't spend a lot of money, we could spend more time," says Treadlite HR Manager Katie Hannah.
"We're really focused on retaining our people, and I think a lot of that comes down to investing in them. The New Zealand Certificate in Manufacturing receives government funding support, so the biggest investment we make is giving our people the time to learn and grow.
"Our trainees typically complete the qualification over up to 12 months, giving them time to build practical skills and confidence while continuing in their day-to-day roles. That's an investment we're happy to make."
Today, six of Treadlite’s Cambridge employees are completing the New Zealand Certificate in Manufacturing (Level 2), following the success of an initial pilot group of two trainees.
One of those original participants was Plant 2IC and Health & Safety Representative 42-year-old Terrence Mohetaue, who has now completed Level 2 and progressed into Level 3 while mentoring the next intake of trainees.
"When I was first approached, I laughed and thought, 'I'm too old to be learning stuff now,'" says Terrence.
"But I couldn't have been more wrong. I saw it as a chance to create a foundation for the next group coming through. If we could build something that helps make it easier for our team to succeed, then that's a good thing."
The qualification has changed the way he approaches his work, encouraging him to think more deeply about manufacturing processes and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
"It made me realise how detailed and complex our work actually is. You're not just going through the motions anymore - you're thinking about why you do things and how they could be done even better."
That mindset has proved invaluable as Treadlite relocated to a new manufacturing facility, with Terrence applying his learning to redesign housekeeping processes, improve dust management and reinforce safer ways of working.
For Katie, seeing Terrence grow into a leader has been one of the most rewarding outcomes of the programme.
"He's our longest-serving plant employee and the difference in him over the past few years is night and day," she says.
"He's incredibly humble, but he naturally supports and encourages everyone around him. Anything Terrence wants to do, we'll support him to achieve. He's exactly the kind of person you want helping the next generation of trainees succeed."
Katie believes workforce development doesn't require a dedicated learning team or a large training budget - just commitment.
"It's easy to think you can't afford training during challenging times, but recruitment is expensive too. If we can keep our people, keep them engaged and give them opportunities to grow, that's a much better investment."
The programme is already creating a ripple effect throughout the business.
Alongside supporting manufacturing traineeships, Katie recently completed her own New Zealand Certificate in Health and Safety (Level 4), modelling the same commitment to lifelong learning that she encourages in her team.
She also credits Competenz with making workforce planning accessible and achievable.
"What I love about Competenz is that they work with you. They understand your budget, explain the funding that's available and offer different options that fit your business. It never feels like a one-size-fits-all approach."
Competenz Account Manager Debs Wand says Treadlite demonstrates what can happen when an employer genuinely commits to developing its people.
"Katie has created a learning culture that is part of how Treadlite operates.
"She manages HR, health and safety and environmental responsibilities across the business, yet still makes time to understand the qualifications, support her trainees and encourage them every step of the way. That level of commitment makes a real difference."
Debs says the partnership goes beyond supporting trainees into qualifications.
"As an Account Manager, my role is to work alongside the business to understand its workforce goals and identify training solutions that support long-term capability. Treadlite has embraced that approach and built a pathway where trainees can start with Level 2, progress into Level 3 and continue developing their careers."
For a company whose purpose is giving end-of-life tyres a second life, helping people realise their own potential feels like a natural extension of the business.
And for Katie, that's exactly the point.
"If we can spend time investing in our people now, they'll stay with us, grow with us and help take the business forward. That's a win for everyone."
.png)
%20(1).png)
