From 5+ a day to life in the cloud
For Pio, the sky’s the limit
As grocery manager and head buyer at a national supermarket in Wellington, Pio’s world was stock count, stock control and buyers’ meetings. But as well as finding enough fruit and vegetables for Wellingtonians to get their 5-a-day, he found a passion for technology.
“It was in this role I was first exposed to how powerful technology could be and I really wanted to understand more,” says Pio.
But how? Pio didn’t have a degree or a university background, which has been the traditional path into a career in technology.
Pio’s partner found him an ideal opportunity – the Deloitte Cadetship programme. Pio applied, was accepted, and started at Deloitte as a cadet in mid- 2021. The programme’s pay-as-you-learn approach gave Pio the chance to live his dream. “I had the chance to learn Salesforce and consulting skills, while being paid to do so.”
After a year of comprehensive training, on-project experience, and with four Salesforce certifications under his belt, Pio was promoted to Consultant.
“This promotion was a massive achievement for me,” says Pio “It shows where passion, drive, and hard work can get you… Deloitte invested in me so that I can succeed in my new career and bring value to the people and clients I work with.”
Deloitte director, Eva Sherwood, attests to the impact of the cadetship programme. “All the cadets in my team have been so successful. This shows you don’t need a degree to work at Deloitte, which helps to break down the stereotypes some people have of our firm.”
Ben Edwards, Deloitte Digital partner agrees. “The cadetship programme has introduced us to individuals who probably wouldn’t have engaged with Deloitte through traditional recruitment. The cadetship programme is helping us to continue to recruit people with more diverse backgrounds, skills, and experiences.”
So, what next for Pio? “One day I’d like to become a Salesforce architect. I’d love to take my Salesforce experience with me and travel to different continents doing meaningful work, using technology to benefit people around the world.”
For Pio, the sky’s the limit, but his feet are firmly grounded in the belief that others can follow his path. “I believe there’s opportunities out there for people who are driven and passionate, no matter what their education or background looks like.”
