Volunteering should be recognised as a proper job seeking activity - 10-06-2008

The government should recognise volunteering as a legitimate job-seeking activity, according to a cross party report into young adult volunteering published recently.

The Morgan Inquiry, supported by The Scout Association, includes recommendations for a flexible day off to encourage volunteering, an ‘industry standard’ award scheme to acknowledge skills developed through volunteering and better signposting of voluntary opportunities.

Baroness Morgan of Huyton, who chaired the report with a cross-party panel of MPs and other experts, said there were real and perceived objects acting as barriers to volunteering for many young adults.

‘Everyone says volunteering is a good thing. But it is not always straightforward to get involved.

‘I hope that our recommendations will make a difference in clearing the way for young adults to make the most of volunteering.

‘Furthermore we hope that this report will instil a greater sense of flexibility in Government, businesses, academia and the Third Sector in making this possible.’

Give more recognition for volunteering
The report calls on the Department of Work and Pensions and Jobcentre Plus to fully recognise volunteering as a legitimate job seeking activity for those claiming benefits, and ultimately as a route to work for unemployed young adults.

It also found that many young adults would benefit from an extra eight hours leave a year from their jobs or studies for voluntary activities.

At present there is no ‘industry standard’ award scheme for skills developed through voluntary work and the opportunities for young people to volunteer are not particularly clear.

The current wealth of information is both confusing and counter-productive, the panel said.

The Scout Association welcomes the Morgan Inquiry
Derek Twine, Chief Executive of The Scout Association, welcomed the report, ‘It is encouraging to see that so many large organisations contributed and recognise the value and skills that volunteering can bring to them.

‘The importance of volunteers for organisations such as ourselves is immense and the valuable skills that volunteers can transfer into their daily and working lives should not be underestimated.

‘While we ensure that our volunteer programme is as flexible as possible, existing Scout Leaders would benefit hugely from a few extra hours throughout the year. 

‘We would also hope that these recommendations would encourage people who “don’t think they have the time”, to get involved with volunteering.’

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