Employers – how to make school volunteering pay

Tackling the skills gap is high on the UK agenda and the answer lies with employers – inspiring the next generation to aspire to more. Getting in front of young people and telling them about the workplace is a crucial contribution.

Volunteering in schools need not be time consuming or costly either. A few half-hour speaking slots a year, brokered by not-for-profit Growing Ambitions,then  is all it takes. Growing Ambitions at www.growingambitions.org acts as go-between for speakers from workplaces to access their local schools, colleges and universities.

Volunteering with Growing Ambitions is ultra easy – registration takes just minutes and speaking slots are arranged with careers advisers via email.

Employee volunteering increases worker well-being, increases worker retention and is a useful low cost staff development tool. It’s also great PR and helps attract the best school leavers. Career speaking encourages young people to enter training or further education so building the skills in the local area. A win:win all round.