Research into young people's volunteering
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Written by: Maddy Bisoni
A report commissioned by a UK Government department has highlighted how volunteering can help young people find ethical careers.
The research, for the Department of Education and Skills, found that many young people use volunteering to test out different career options.
One volunteer interviewed for the research, carried out by the National Youth Charity, said: “Being a volunteer completely changed my outlook on life and what I wanted to do as a career. I realised that I wanted to do a job that helps people.”
Another young volunteer added: “School only gives you basic IT skills, here it's workplace IT.”
Young People's Volunteering and Skills Development revealed that experiences of volunteering had directly helped many young people get interviews and jobs.
In other cases, volunteering allowed the 215 young people aged 11 to 25, who were interviewed for the research, gain practical experience and acquire skills related to specific types of employment.
A second recent report about young people and volunteering, published by youth volunteering charity v, found that half of 16 to 25-year-olds believe they don't have enough time to volunteer. However, nearly two thirds said they were passionate about global issues like poverty and half were interested in climate change.
A v spokesperson told ethicalcareers.org: “Young people involved in volunteering say that it is both a motivator and a reward in itself; it can help their careers but also gives them the satisfaction of knowing they have contributed positively to society. It is important that the sector and employers also recognise the dual benefits.”
The National youth Charity recommends that work should be undertaken with UCAS to encourage greater recognition of volunteering in university selection processes.
Young People's Volunteering and Skills Development
http://www.dfes.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/RW103%20%20Summary.pdf
The Department of Education and Skills
The National Youth Charity
v
