Automotive students providing vital service

Second-year Automotive students at Bay of Plenty Polytechnic are getting practical experience that comes with a bonus for the community – their labour is being offered free of charge to local charities.
 
Now in its third year, the initiative between the Polytechnic and the Acorn Foundation to provide local charities with a zero labour charge on all vehicle servicing is still going strong. Seven charities have taken up the offer including: Can-teen, Tauranga Hearing Association, Classic Flyers, the Stroke Foundation, Avalon (BOP), Homes of Hope and Te Aranui Youth.
 
Working out of the Polytechnic’s MTA-endorsed service centre, Bay Auto, at the Windermere campus, the students carry out regular vehicle servicing under the supervision of qualified teaching staff.
 
Sean Squires, Group Leader Automotive, says the scheme is a win-win situation.
 
“We are able to provide our students with additional practical work experience while giving back to the community at the same time,” he says.
 
Acorn Foundation Operations Manager Margot McCool says, “We are delighted that this initiative is in its third year and that so many organisations are making use of it. It allows these charities to spend their money on their vital services, rather than car servicing.”
 
Any local charities who would like to be included in the Polytechnic’s free labour on car servicing for charities scheme should contact: Bay Auto on 07 544 8682 or via email at Phillip.Lowe@boppoly.ac.nz.