Tag: volunteering

Want to get on? Young people advised to brush up their soft skills

One in three employers regard soft skills as more important than academic achievements

  • In a poll of more than 500 senior managers commissioned by The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, 98% think young people should invest more time enhancing their soft skills
  • 9 in 10 say young people with strong soft skills often progress faster in the workplace
  • Three quarters of employers think traditionally laid out CVs do not showcase young people’s soft skills in the best possible light
  • British Entrepreneur and Dragon’s Den investor, Sarah Willingham is amongst the 82% who think ‘soft skills’ should be renamed to better reflect their importance
  • 93% reveal they are more likely to employ a candidate who can demonstrate achievements beyond their curriculum studies, such as a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, with 86% looking more favourably on a candidate who shares evidence of volunteering and other extracurricular activities on their social media channels

As GCSE students across England and Wales await their results and prepare to enter the world of work or higher education, new research by youth charity The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) reveals the attitudes of UK business leaders when it comes to employing young people.

The polling has found 95% of UK senior managers regard soft skills as equally or more important than exam results alone, with 98% recommending young people invest more time in enhancing soft skills such as communication, teamwork and leadership, to get ahead of the game in the competitive job market.

9 in 10 of the business leaders surveyed revealed they are more likely to employ a candidate who demonstrates achievements beyond grades and those who show evidence of strong ‘soft skills’ often progress faster in the workplace.

British Entrepreneur and Dragon’s Den investor, Sarah Willingham is amongst the 82% of employers who think the term “soft skills” does not adequately reflect their importance. “Real life skills” or “Core skills” would give the term more gravitas and better highlight the key message: when it comes to employability, the value of those skills cannot be underestimated.

It comes as no surprise to UK Businesswoman and Dragon’s Den investor, Deborah Meaden, that a third of UK employers are urging young people to value soft skills over academic achievements. Deborah said: “I would actively encourage young people to get involved in extracurricular activities and volunteering. Achieving a DofE Award is a brilliant way to gain recognition for all the effort put in and shows potential employers a candidate has great communication, confidence and teamwork skills, which are indispensable in the workplace.”

When it comes to receiving a young person’s CV, three quarters of senior managers say the traditional format does not showcase soft skills in the best possible light. Employers are urging candidates to flip traditional CVs on their heads, highlighting skills and experiences up front, to better reflect their skills and competencies outside of the curriculum.

Jayne-Anne Gadhia, Chief Executive at Virgin Money agrees and said: “There’s more to life than exams. I did 10 O Levels and got 5 ‘A’s and 5 ‘B’s. Sir Richard Branson left school without any qualifications and went on to launch the Virgin Group. Good exam results show you have the discipline to study hard and that’s important, but the right attitude will get you a long way. Be yourself. Find your purpose. Make a difference. Each and every one of us can change the world. Go out and find your way.”

As social media continues to be an increasingly popular tool at the hiring stage, over half (65%) of senior managers say they check a potential candidate’s online presence before recruiting and 86% state they look favourably on candidates who share evidence of volunteering and other extracurricular activities on their social media.

The DofE’s Chief Executive, Peter Westgarth, said: “The results demonstrate that a young person’s potential should not be measured solely on academic achievements. Whilst grades are of course important, they don’t showcase a young person’s full potential. Evidence of soft skills helps employers to see that a young person is more employable and that they will adapt to the workplace culture more easily and progress faster in the job.  

“It’s therefore really important that young people are aware of this and have access to opportunities such as the DofE which is instantly recognised by employers as evidence of the skills for life and employability they are looking for. Over the years, our Charity has helped millions of young people from all walks of life to transform their lives, gain self-confidence and develop essential employability skills.”

Equality & Human Rights Commission: Scotland Committee Recruitment Open Days

Please see below an advert for our Scotland Committee Recruitment Open Days being held on 4thSeptember in Dundee and 6th September in Glasgow. Information is also available on our website:

https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/about-commission-scotland/meet-scotland-committee/scotland-committee-open-days

We will have vacancies on our Scotland Committee in November and intend to advertise these vacancies in September.  However, in advance of applying for the role of Scotland Committee Member, we would welcome you and your stakeholders to come along to our Open Days to ask any questions about the Scotland Committee and how it works and have the opportunity to speak with our Commissioner, Lesley Sawers and Scotland Committee members, Lorraine Barrie and Clare MacGillivray.

Further details are in the advert: 

Guidance for benefits claimants who volunteer

Over the last year Voluntary Action Scotland (led by Volunteer Glasgow and Trust Volunteering Inverclyde), Department of Work and Pensions and the wider TSI (third sector interface) network have been collaborating on making it easier for those who claim welfare benefits to volunteer. Continue reading Guidance for benefits claimants who volunteer

£3.8 million for volunteering projects

Emphasis on encouraging diversity amongst Scotland’s volunteers

More people will have the chance to take part in volunteering as a result of £3.8 million funding announced today (Sunday). The Volunteering Support Grant  will be made available over the next four years to create new and better volunteering projects with a focus on encouraging disadvantaged and disabled people into volunteering. Continue reading £3.8 million for volunteering projects

Local stars shine at Volunteer Awards ceremony

North Edinburgh was well represented at Edinburgh’s Inspiring Volunteer Awards this week. The gala event at the City Chambers was an opportunity to celebrate the incredible work of the city’s unsung heroes who do so much to improve the quality of life for so many in the capital. Continue reading Local stars shine at Volunteer Awards ceremony

Edinburgh’s inspiring volunteers to take centre stage

Over sixty of Edinburgh’s most inspring volunteers are to be honoured by Frank Ross, Rt. Hon. Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, at a special awards ceremony tomorrow during #VolunteersWeekScotland. Among them are local heroes from North Edinburgh’s Knit and Natter group and MAD (that’s Mums and Dads) cook Sean Fitzharris. Continue reading Edinburgh’s inspiring volunteers to take centre stage

Hanover launches volunteering service to combat social exclusion

hanover

Hanover (Scotland) Housing Association has launched a new volunteering service to combat social exclusion among their residents, an issue that disproportionately affects older people. 

As a leading not-for-profit provider of quality housing for older people in Scotland, employing over 500 staff in more than 200 housing developments, the new volunteering service aims to make a positive difference to Hanover’s customers’ lives as well as the wider community.

The framework will encourage Hanover residents to volunteer in their developments and local communities, as well as empower Hanover staff to establish high quality, customer focused volunteering opportunities.

Delivered by a newly appointed Volunteer Coordinator, the framework will also promote the take up of volunteering within developments from local communities and third sector organisations.

Since taking up the new role, Edinburgh-born Jim Brown has carried out in depth analysis of Hanover’s current volunteering capacity and the range of social activities residents participate in. Over the next few months Jim will meet with staff and residents to consult in the development of the new framework, ensuring it meets the needs, requirements and abilities of those who will benefit most from it. 

Jim said: “I am delighted to have been selected as Volunteer Coordinator for an organisation that really cares about its residents, employees and the communities it is part of. I am very much looking forward to getting out to our developments across Scotland to meet with residents and staff and encouraging them to volunteer and become more socially active.

“I have volunteered throughout my life, as a befriender for an adult with learning difficulties as well as managing a youth football team, so I fully understand and appreciate the benefits volunteering brings to everyone involved.”

Hanover’s Chief Executive, Helen Murdoch said: “Customer service is at the heart of what we do. It is our priority to help all our residents lead rich and fulfilling lives and we are confident that by encouraging residents, local communities and third sector organisations to take up volunteering, that we will see a hugely positive social impact on the lives of everyone involved.”