From first female carpentry apprentice and first female Specialist Search Team member in the NZ Army to world ranked powerlifter, the word 'trailblazer' is a great fit for Roshelle Jessop, Service Sector Advisor – Aviation, at ServiceIQ. 

After serving in the military from the 1990s to 2000s, Roshelle worked in a private training establishment before successfully applying for the role of operations administration support at ServiceIQ in 2016. After eight successful years, Roshelle took on her current position earlier this year.

Based at RNZAF Base Woodbourne in Blenheim, Roshelle visits apprentices four times a year across two operational bases at Whenuapai, home to RNZAF Base Auckland, and RNZAF Base Ohakea near Palmerston North. 

“We talk to each apprentice on a regular basis, making sure everything's ticking along, that their training is going well, and that there are no problems. The NZ Defence Force looks after its people very well, so problems are rare, but we pride ourselves on making sure everyone gets the service they deserve,” says Roshelle. 

Roshelle explains that ServiceIQ’s range of aviation qualifications provide opportunities to be awarded recognition for the workplace skills that they have mastered enabling NZ Defence Force people to pursue successful aviation careers should they follow a new path away from service life. 

“We train our people for our outputs, and because the outside world won’t always know what a Corporals Course means, for example, having the related civil qualifications enables their military skills to be recognised in a civil context. So, the training is the same – all NZQA qualifications – and they’re leaving with something of value which future employers will recognise,” she says. 

Raising the number of female workers in the aviation trades is another of Roshelle’s passions. Unofficial numbers currently stand at around 20%, and while Roshelle states that it’s ‘good’, she stresses that ‘we can always do better’ as there are incredible opportunities for women in aviation trades. She draws on her own experience in the NZ Army as an indicator.

“Unless you have a family history or experience of the NZ Defence Force, it’s hard to comprehend what military life may look like so, the Air Force, for example, does an excellent job of inviting people to find out what opportunities are out there, to open their eyes and discover what a great and supportive career it is.” 

“Some of our female Air Force tradespeople have gone on to some fantastic careers as Warrant Officers or Commanding Officers of Operational Squadrons or Base Commanders who have started out as aircraft technicians and administrators.  

Having joined the NZ Army as the first female carpentry apprentice in 1994, Roshelle’s trade skills enable her to later join the Specialist Search Team for four years from 1998. 

Among many memorable experiences was the 1999 APEC Leaders' Meeting and the visit of Bill Clinton, then the US President, to New Zealand. “Our role was to ensure location safety and his safe movement. That involved the searching of vehicles, hotels and roadways immediately before his arrival, making sure everything was safe and secure.” 

And the powerlifting? Typically modest about her incredible achievements, Roshelle began powerlifting in 2001. Once again, it was an environment where female representation was rare. Just two months later, she won her first competition. By 2025, she had won 12 National Championships and claimed two unofficial world records, one for deadlift and the other for lifting a combined 467 kilograms at the recent Nationals in May. She has also achieved top five finishes at the World Championships, as well as gold medals and first-place finishes at the Powerlifting Commonwealth Games and Oceania Championships in a glittering career. 

“Watching Roshelle training is fantastic. It is her absolute dedication that brings the impressive results she has achieved,” says Dave Evans, National Account Manager – Aviation and Defence at ServiceIQ. “The next competition will be the World Powerlifting Championships in South Africa in November this year. Don't be surprised if she has the same sort of success at the worlds. 

“Roshelle puts that same high level of dedication and expertise into her role at ServiceIQ, which makes her such a wonderful asset. She wants people to succeed and knows that no barrier is insurmountable,” says Dave. 

“When I first saw the position was available, I knew it was the perfect match for me,” says Roshelle. “I love my job, and I get immense job satisfaction through looking after NZ Defence Force people and making sure that they get the best that they can. If we can enable everyone to earn the qualification that they deserve, then I’m a happy person.” 

Keen to find out more? Contact Roshelle to explore NZ Defence Force aviation career pathways. 

Make today the day you grow your people and grow your business with affordable on-the-job aviation training for your employees. ServiceIQ is the workplace training specialist for the hospitality, retail, tourism, aviation, travel, and museum sectors New Zealand wide.