Volunteering towards Employment
It has been long understood that getting 'hands-on' experience goes a long way to gaining the skills necessary for obtaining work. It is also understood that it is not just 'what' you know but also 'who' you know when it comes to finding that elusive connection to gaining paid employment. Volunteering is a way you can gain both skills and connections.
Volunteering offers a unique opportunity to strengthen employability - through the flexibility of roles on offer, the people-centred support received by volunteers and the practical experience it can give individuals.
However, the relationship between volunteering and employability is not straightforward. It is important to recognise that it is heavily dependent upon the nature of the volunteering role, the needs of the volunteer, the support they receive from Volunteer Centres and the organisations they volunteer with.
The strongest benefit is found to be the increased confidence and self-esteem that many individuals gain from their volunteering - especially important for the long term unemployed and those at risk of social exclusion. Much of this involves getting volunteers ‘job ready’ by moving them to a position whereby they are able to consider employment as an option.
The development of 'soft skills' for employment including teamwork, communication and other social and interpersonal skills are also important benefits. Often it is the supportive and people-centred ethos of the volunteering sector that facilitates the development of these skills.
Many volunteers also gain a range of ‘hard’ employment skills such as practical IT, media and organisational skills. Volunteering often presents individuals with opportunities they would not otherwise experience, such as managerial roles, which are especially important for those looking for career development in their current job. This practical learning is often galvanised through complementary training and education.
Finally, and crucially in an increasingly competitive market place, is the evidence of employability that volunteering offers individuals. For those who are recently unemployed, volunteering is seen as a good way of maintaining existing skills and demonstrating to potential employers personal proactivity and commitment. For the longer term unemployed volunteering offers a chance to show determination and 'fitness' as well as the opportunity to receive a positive reference.
Work and Income understands well the value of volunteering both to the community which benefits from the time and skill contributions of volunteers, and to the individual who gains new skills, social connection and potentially, paid employment.
Volunteering New Zealand, in collaboration with Work and Income, has prepared an information sheet about volunteering which includes contact details for the Volunteer Centres located around the country and a link to the VolunteerNow website which lists volunteer positions.
<a href="http://www.workandincome.govt.nz" target="_blank">More information on volunteering for Work and Income clients</a>
