The Trust
Trade School Industries is a charitable trust run by people passionate about the power of community for social change.
Founded by Matt Lamason and Lauren Tennent of Peoples Coffee, the trust was set up in 2016 with the aim of creating employment opportunities for people who have been in prison. The first initiative of the trust was a barista training course at Arohata Women’s Prison, providing skills behind the wire and opportunities for employment upon release. In August 2018, Trade School Kitchen, our social enterprise cafe, opened its doors in Naenae providing a safe landing place for trainees.
In 2019, both Matt and Lauren moved on to pursue other ventures and the Trade School Industries board was re-established by passionate Naenae locals with the support of the Anglican Diocese of Wellington.
We continue to deliver barista training at Arohata, and are now exploring some different course options with the Department of Corrections. Since Trade School Industries began, we have broadened our vision. Building on our experience, and seeing the need in our community, Trade School Industries now provides training, employment and spaces of contribution for a diverse range of people.
Meet the Trustees
Nic and Hannah Drew-Crawshaw
Nic is the Chair of Trade School Industries.
A career public servant, Nic has spent many years working across the Justice sector, in Youth Justice, Restorative Justice, and Justice Sector Strategy. He now works part time in the public service, and full time as a dad.
A proud member of the Naenae community, he is also involved with the local Community Advisory Group for the Hutt City Council and part of the local Anglican parish of St. David’s Naenae-Epuni. While his hospo credentials are a little dated (about 20 years!) he is very enthusiastic about providing a space of dignified work and manaakitanga to the community.
Hannah is a Trade School Industries Board member known as Mum-DC to staff. Like most mums, Hannah provides strategic support alongside, pastoral care and a lot of just getting things done. Like Nic, Hannah also works part-time as a public servant and full time as mum to their four children.
You will often find Hannah striking up conversation with customers at Trade School Kitchen, building connections and grasping any opportunity to tell the story of Trade School Industries.
Alison Robinson
Alison is a chaplain at Rimutaka Prison and a community worker in Naenae.
She has spent most of her adult life supporting a myriad of marginalised people, from the migrant and refugee communities of Wellington to recently released and paroled men coming out of prison. Alison’s work with people who have experienced trauma has given her a deep understanding of the complex challenges people with difficult backgrounds face.
Nick Young
Te Ātiawa o Te Waka-a-Māui
Nick is a general manager working for not-for-profits.
With a development and commercial construction background, both here and overseas, Nick is passionate about providing opportunities for people to grow and contribute to their whānau and wider community. A stint managing Peoples Coffee “back in the day”, along with whānau and cricket connections to Naenae, Nick is committed to sound governance and management to support Trade School Industries flourish in its objectives and in its local community.
Get in touch
Send an email to nic@tradeschoolindustries.org or use the form below: