Unitec welcomed back the popular Volunteer Expo to Mt Albert campus for the first time in five years yesterday, with student attendance at an all-time high.
More than 250 ākonga gathered in Te Puna to meet a host of local and national volunteer organisations, eager to hear about work experience opportunities while at the same time helping make a difference to the communities in which they live, work and study.
The previously annual expo had been put on hold in recent years due to Covid lockdowns and resourcing issues, but Dianna Bluck, a career development consultant at Unitec, says she was thrilled to see the overwhelming interest from all participants at this year’s event.
“Our Volunteer Expo is a mutually beneficial opportunity for both volunteer organisations and our ākonga,” says Dianna . “It’s designed to raise awareness of organisations who are looking for volunteers, and to shine the spotlight on what they do to help our local communities.
“The Expo creates a valuable opportunity for our ākonga to connect with them, and to explore how they can gain valuable skills and experience while assisting in a voluntary role.
“Serving and giving back to our communities aligns closely with our values at Unitec, and we’re delighted that our ākonga can benefit from industry-based learning while also supporting causes that are close to their hearts,” says, Unitec Senior Industry Partner Shani Sauerman
“A huge thanks to the volunteer organisations who took part in the event, along with our Careers, Events and Student Support teams who helped make this event possible.”
Participating organisations included New Zealand Special Olympics, Surf Lifesaving Northern Region, Volunteering Auckland, Conservation Volunteers, Forest & Bird – Ark in the Park, Hospice West Auckland, SPCA, Eden Park Trust, West Auckland Community Toy Library, RNZ Plunket Trust, Recreate NZ, Ambury Park Centre, Everybody Eats, Radio Lollipop, Auckland City Mission, Hato Hone St John and Student Volunteer Army.
A great event with such a diverse array of organisations has inspired me to consider looking into a volunteer role