The event was designed to connect students with employers and help them find jobs at the end of their studies.

Organiser and Senior Industry Partner at Unitec Shani Sauerman says it was a resounding success as the largest such engagement that has been run in the past six years, with students benefitting from the connections made, and exhibiting businesses ready to sign up graduates.
“It provided a valuable opportunity for our students and recent graduates to connect with key industry representatives, and also a platform to showcase the strength of our programmes, facilities and talent pipeline,” Shani says.
“At Unitec, we’re committed to developing work-ready graduates and connecting them with employers and industry. Finding employment in their area of study is one of the key outcomes of student success for us.
“Our Industry Connect events are renowned as an effective and important way of bringing students and employers together, as we continue to meet the demand for highly skilled workers throughout the country.

Exhibitors came from a wide range of construction and service industries as well as industry bodies, including Hawkins, Building Institute Aotearoa, Naylor Love, NZTA, Lincoln Electric, Auckland Council, Fisher & Paykel, MITO, New Zealand Police, Repco, BCITO, New Zealand Defence Force and New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors.

Attendees toured the electrical labs in Building 108 and the Level 3 Carpentry Construction site, allowing our industry partners to gain an insight into the hands-on training available through Unitec.

“We found the students to be very eager to find work and showing initiative, it was a fantastic event. Honestly, these learners were outstanding, with many from the west area looking for employment, very impressive the attitudes and initiative,” says Loretta Thompson from the Motor Trade Association (MTA).
There was also some sage advice for our ākonga who were job seeking. 

“Use a different cover letter for each CV you submit. Make sure it is targeted towards the company and industry you are going for,” says Amanda Kennedy, Bids Manager and Marketing Coordinator, Rider Levett Bucknall.

Shani adds: “I look forward to seeing how the connections fostered at Industry Connect create opportunities for our ākonga, and lead to the deepening of Unitec’s relationships with our industry partners.”
“Special thanks to the Mataaho and School of Trades & Services staff for going above and beyond to host the event, and the other teams involved with putting the event together. 
“And, of course, a massive thank you to the organisations that attended and volunteered their time to provide valuable insights –and hopefully employment!”

Unitec has been hosting Industry Connect events for the past seven years, and this year has hosted four bespoke career expos, including one targeted at the voluntary sector.