On the occasion of International Volunteer Day, DUO for a JOB celebrates all those who give their time, energy, and experience to support young people on their path to employment. Among them is Patrick, 64, a recently retired professional and mentor for more than two years, who perfectly embodies the desire to give back and to “build bridges.”
A Commitment to Society
After a long career spanning multinationals, SMEs, and entrepreneurial projects, Patrick wanted to remain active and useful when he retired:
“I was about to have a lot of free time, and I had always managed teams. DUO for a JOB appealed to me because of its very professional, well-structured framework, but also because of the deep meaning behind its mission.”
That sense of purpose is rooted in a strong conviction: without civic engagement, society simply would not function.
“Without volunteers, Belgium wouldn’t run. I come from the commercial sector, and I quickly realised that without the non-profit sector — schools, associations, childcare services, and so on — the rest of society cannot function,” he explains.
44% of Volunteers Are Over 50
Like 44% of volunteers in Belgium, Patrick is over 50. It is a generation with immense experience — yet one that is too often undervalued as careers come to an end. And yet, people in their fifties and sixties want to stay active, share what they have learned, and remain connected to the world around them.
“Volunteering brings enormous satisfaction, because you do it without any return — simply out of a desire to help.”
Already Two Mentoring Duos
With two mentoring duos already behind him, Patrick recalls one particularly striking experience: a young mentee who, at the very beginning of their journey together, had written down his “ideal job.” Six months later, after a process filled with doubts, that exact position became reality.
“He came back from the interview convinced it had gone terribly… and two weeks later, he had his contract!” Patrick remembers.
For him, it is clear proof that mentoring helps open doors, build confidence, and turn what once seemed like a distant dream into something tangible.
“The mentee is always in the pilot’s seat. I’m just there to support them, help them stay on course, and encourage them to believe in themselves.”
Thank You to All Our Volunteers
On this 5 December, we celebrate all our volunteers. Thanks to them, DUO for a JOB exists, moves forward, and changes lives — one meeting at a time.
