CDU teams up with Volunteering NT to foster community connections
Charles Darwin University (CDU) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Territory’s peak volunteering body, Volunteering NT, to support the pilot of a new employability development program - the Volunteer and Learn (VALue) Program.
The CDU Careers Centre designed the VALue program to not only make volunteering accessible and rewarding for students, but to equip them with essential employability skills to help start their careers in a competitive job market.
CDU Employability Programs Officer and program coordinator, Caroline Thompson, said volunteering is a valuable activity for the community and students alike.
“By engaging in volunteer work, students not only contribute to worthy causes but also gain a sense of empathy, social responsibility, and cultural awareness that can shape them into well-rounded young professionals”.
Ms Thompson added, “Many important employability skills can be gained through volunteering and employers highly regard volunteering activities on students’ resumes.”
“The combination of skills and experience gained through volunteering can help students better understand their community and stand out from the crowd in a job interview.”
The VALue Program provides CDU students with exciting opportunities for personal and professional development through volunteering, and the first cohort has just started their activities to give back to the community.
CDU staff and VALue students attended a celebration of volunteering reception at Parliament House, where they met with NT Chief Minister Natasha Fyles and His Honour the Honourable Professor Hugh Heggie PSM, Administrator of the Northern Territory.
“The reception at Parliament House reminded us that volunteering is a powerful catalyst for positive change, both in individuals and the community. It allows students to make a tangible impact while honing their skills and expanding their horizons,” Ms Thompson said.
CDU celebrates those students who have already embarked on their volunteering journey and look forward to many more expected to complete the VALue Program in the coming semesters.