Navigating the job market as a New Scot can be a daunting journey, filled with challenges and uncertainties. We understand that many New Scots may not realise the full potential of volunteering beyond its altruistic aspect. It’s not just about giving back to the community; it’s also a powerful tool to enhance your employability skills and increase your chances of landing the job you want.
- Breaking the Barrier in Recognising Foreign Experience
Many New Scots face the challenge of having their foreign work experience unrecognised in the UK job market. Despite possessing relevant skills and a good level of English, they may struggle to find employment in their field. Volunteering can help bridge this gap by providing opportunities to gain local work experience aligned with their profession. By volunteering in roles that utilise their skills, individuals can showcase their capabilities and overcome barriers related to foreign work experience.
The vicious circle of needing local experience to secure employment, yet being unable to gain experience without a job, is a common struggle. Volunteering offers a practical solution by providing opportunities to gain hands-on experience in various roles. Whether it’s assisting with events, supporting administrative tasks, or contributing to projects, volunteering allows individuals to break the experience barrier and demonstrate their capabilities to potential employers. For instance, if you aspire to work in a retail shop, the experience of volunteering in a charity shop as a sales assistant can be your golden ticket.
- Obtaining Necessary Accreditation
Formal accreditation or certification is often required for certain roles, posing additional challenges for New Scots whose qualifications may not be recognised in the UK. Volunteering can assist in obtaining necessary accreditation by offering training opportunities. Some volunteer positions may require working with vulnerable groups, prompting organisations to cover the costs of PVG checks or safeguarding courses. Similarly, volunteering roles involving food preparation may include training in food safety and hygiene, ensuring volunteers possess the required certifications for future employment opportunities.
- Building a Professional Network
Establishing professional connections is crucial for securing employment, but it can be challenging for New Scots in a new country. Volunteering provides a platform to expand professional networks by connecting with individuals from various industries. Through interactions with charity managers, volunteer coordinators, colleagues, and community members, individuals can access valuable networking opportunities, gain insights into potential career paths and receive support from experienced professionals.
- Enhancing Language and Communication Skills
Language proficiency is essential for success in the job market, and volunteering offers an ideal environment to practise and improve English language skills. Whether it’s interacting with colleagues, assisting community members, or participating in meetings, volunteering provides opportunities to enhance communication skills and build confidence in English proficiency. These improved language skills not only enhance employability but also facilitate integration into the local community.
- Providing Trustworthy References
For New Scots without local work experience, it’s very hard to provide references when applying for a vacancy. Volunteering can help with this, as references from charity organisation managers or volunteer coordinators are a very trustworthy tool to increase your chances of getting a job.
By recognising volunteering as a powerful tool for career advancement, New Scots can unlock new opportunities and overcome obstacles on their journey to employment success. Through volunteering, individuals can gain valuable experience, expand their networks, and develop essential skills, ultimately increasing their competitiveness in the job market.
Additionally, volunteering within a charity organisation may open doors for internal job opportunities. Volunteers gain familiarity with the organisation’s mission, values, and internal policies, along with developing a strong work ethic and valuable networking connections. These experiences provide volunteers with a competitive edge and often facilitate a smoother transition into paid employment within the third sector.
Volunteer Portals:
If you have not yet visited your Volunteer Portal there are lots of amazing opportunities to get you started in volunteering or to continue your volunteering journey.
The portal is a dedicated website which matches volunteers with organisations advertising the latest volunteering opportunities.
To visit Stirling’s volunteering portal please: Click Here
To visit Clackmannanshire’s volunteering portal please: Click Here
