Young people are being encouraged to use volunteering experiences as a way to gain new skills, build confidence and transition to employment.
As part of Volunteering WA’s Volunteering: A Pathway to Job Readiness program, the new ‘YVolunteer’ program has been launched and is now live at www.yvolunteer.org.au.
The program is being supported through funding from the State Government of $440,000 over three years. It will also extend into the Peel and South-West regions with additional support from Lotterywest.
The YVolunteer program will become an integral part of Volunteering WA’s work as the peak body for the volunteer sector, assisting young people aged 15 to 24 years to prepare for and engage in volunteering opportunities, and providing tips to organisations interested in working with young volunteers.
Research conducted by employment website SEEK found that employers saw volunteering as an important pathway to employment. The research showed:
- 95 per cent of employers felt volunteering is a credible way of gaining ‘real-world’ experience;
- 85 per cent of employers felt volunteering was as credible as paid employment where it was relevant to the desired role or industry; and
- 92 per cent of employers felt volunteering provided an ‘edge’ in a job interview.
The new YVolunteer website at www.yvolunteer.org.au includes an online CV builder, resources, engaging stories and examples of volunteering from youth volunteers, and informative learning modules.
As stated by Volunteering Minister Stephen Dawson:
“Volunteering efforts enhance the resilience and vibrancy of our communities by building community capacity, self-sufficiency and inclusiveness through active social and civic participation.
“In an increasingly competitive job market, young people should consider the value of volunteering as a way to get ‘real world’ experience.
“Being able to say you’ve volunteered is also proof that you are community-minded and can work with a variety of people.
“Volunteering often supports young people to enhance their communication, interpersonal and problem-solving skills that cannot be gained in any other setting.
“The YVolunteer program will also help community and not-for-profit organisations reshape the way they engage with young people. It will also encourage those organisations to develop volunteering opportunities that better suit the needs and aspirations of today’s young people.”
