Kane enrolled in Otago Polytechnic's Level 4 Information Technology Certificate, which he will use as a springboard to studying a Bachelor of Information Technology.
Having been a locksmith for more than a decade since leaving school, Kane reached a point in his life where he just needed a change.
"I turn 31 soon and have a couple of kids, so the certificate was a bit of a feeler to see how I'd go. I definitely had to ask myself why I was doing this: would it be worth the sacrifice?''
The answer is a resounding yes.
"I have always enjoyed the IT side of things and it is changing all the time.''
One of the first things Kane noticed when he started studying at Otago Polytechnic earlier this year was the level of support from its staff.
"There are lots of people to talk to. The tutors here have been really motivational.
"They knew I had kids so would ask how I was going. They even said I could bring them to class as long as it didn't affect things.
"One of the best pieces of advice I got from my tutors was to keep on top of the work by doing an hour's homework every day. I have stuck to that,'' the Dunedin born-and-bred man says.
"If anyone is thinking about doing this, I'd suggest talking to the teachers. They all want to help. You just have to be willing to take that step.''
To find out more about Otago Polytechnic's second-semester IT programmes and the Fees Free scheme, visit www.op.ac.nz
