5 December 2011 - Younger people volunteering to gain employment skills

Tough economic times have led more and more young people approach the charity Save the Children New Zealand to learn new skills and gain work experience as volunteers.

Seventeen-year-old Helen Ker of Karori started working in Save the Children's Cuba Street shop in March to learn about merchandising.

"It's been a great experience to learn about the practical side of selling products," she said.

"I first signed up as a volunteer for the shop for the retail experience but also the 'feel-good factor of working for an NGO as well."

Helen, who volunteers about three hours a week, says the charity supported her to complete a Retail and Customer Service Award, which also gave her 24 credits with the NCEA while studying at Wellington High School.

She is also using her Save the Children New Zealand reference to source other work before beginning her university studies next year.

Save the Children CEO Liz Gibbs said increasing numbers of young people have approached the organisation to work in one of Save the Children's retail shops.

"Many volunteers have heard about the work we do and then come in and speak to us about helping out and learning new skills that make them more employable," Ms Gibbs said.

"This year we've had more and more young people approach us to help out. We put interested volunteer shop workers through an induction where, among other things, they can learn merchandising standards and how to use the cash and Eftpos sytems.

"In addition to getting experience, volunteers can also gain certificates through the Retail Institute of New Zealand, which is great for people's CVs."