When you meet Jusef Sabino, the first thing you notice is how certain he is about the direction he wants to take – and how open he is to where engineering might lead him. He talks about the future with the quiet confidence of someone who has spent many years working hard, backed by a supportive family that believes strongly in education and opportunity.
That focus has earned him the 2026 OCS First Foundation Scholarship, a four-year programme of mentoring, financial support and paid work experience. His goal: to study mechatronics engineering at the University of Waikato in 2027.
The first influence on that ambition came from home.
“My grandfather was the first person to make me think being an engineer was possible. I lived with him for the first five years of my life. My father spoke of him often and with great respect, and those memories shaped my early idea of what an engineer can be.
“After my grandfather passed away, I asked whether he had lived well and what it would mean to honour him by following his work. I first leaned toward mechanical engineering because I liked building and fixing things, but I also enjoy electronics and coding. Mechatronics brings those interests together and feels like the right fit.”
That early encouragement shaped the way Jusef approaches learning now – steady, curious and always asking how things work.
From Cebu to Te Awamutu
Jusef was born in Cebu, the Philippines, and moved with his family to Aotearoa in 2014. They settled in Te Awamutu, where he quickly found a rhythm between school, friends and his growing interest in engineering. His parents encouraged him to keep exploring that interest, reminding him that effort now would open doors later.
His father works at 1M, the engineering part of our business, and while Jusef’s academic goals are his own, he has grown up seeing the value of practical problem-solving. At school, he gravitated towards robotics, design and systems. He built prototypes that explored communication tools and mobility aids, and he kept refining them until they worked the way he intended.
Those projects helped shape his long-term ambition.
“I like the idea of creating things that make life easier for people. Engineering gives me a way to do that.”
Support that starts early and lasts
First Foundation begins working with scholars during Year 13, providing mentoring, structured preparation for university and a long-term support network. Financial assistance continues for four years, alongside paid work experience that gives scholars real insight into professional environments.
Our partnership with First Foundation is part of our broader commitment to supporting colleagues’ whānau and helping young people step into careers with long-term value. It also strengthens capability in areas the country relies on – engineering, digital systems, robotics and the technical thinking that supports essential services.
Carole Norris, Marketing and Communications Manager, oversees the OCS programme and sees its impact first-hand.
“This scholarship is about opening doors for young people connected to our colleagues. When we remove some of the barriers to study, we help build the talent New Zealand will rely on in the years ahead – whatever the industry they choose to enter.
“We know how important these scholarships are – not just to the whānau they impact directly, but to our wider colleagues and the communities they live in. They like to see these young people succeed and take an active interest in their development.”
One of the strengths of First Foundation is its structure. Mentoring starts before university begins, giving scholars a sense of direction and confidence at a point where many young people feel uncertain. Work experience builds real capability, and financial support reduces pressure so students can focus on learning rather than juggling multiple responsibilities.
For colleagues across the country – especially those in frontline or technical roles – it gives their families access to opportunities that can lead to strong, stable careers.
And for Jusef, it means stepping into university with a support system already in place – something he sees as central to succeeding in a demanding degree. His focus remains steady: bring together his interests, his family’s encouragement and the chance to study a discipline that blends creativity with purpose.
Looking ahead
The next step will take dedication. Mechatronics is challenging, and university life brings new expectations. But Jusef approaches it with a clear sense of why he wants to study and what he hopes to build – systems and tools that help people live more independently.
From Cebu to Te Awamutu, from early prototypes to a university pathway, Jusef’s story is just the beginning. Being able to support his next steps reflects the values our colleagues bring to their mahi every day – looking out for others, opening doors, and helping young people see what’s possible.
As he moves into university and beyond, we hope this support gives him the confidence to take on new challenges and keep building the future he imagines for himself. His achievement belongs first to him and his whānau. We’re simply pleased to stand alongside them as he takes the next step.
