Evaluating work readiness amongst young people: A local volunteering pilot Findings from the Buckinghamshire Student Volunteering Skills Record pilot project

This e-book presents the evaluation findings from the Student Volunteering Skills Record project, which was carried out between October 2023 – March 2024 by the Volunteer Faculty of the Buckinghamshire Health and Social Care Academy and Community Impact Bucks. The project was funded by the Local Skills Improvement Fund for Buckinghamshire Health and Social Care Academy.

The overall aim of the project was to develop and pilot an innovative digital ‘Bucks volunteer skills record’ to improve and evaluate the level of work readiness amongst young people and adults throughout Bucks with future potential for wider application and implementation across multiple sectors. The pilot acted as aninnovative initiative aiming to create opportunities for young people to gain transferrable skills through volunteering and a potential volunteering skills passport. The ebook presents findings, new data and recommendations for anyone wishing to support young people to get into employment through volunteering.

“In a highly competitive world, volunteering has become the main route to employment. It can provide skills, confidence and knowledge while at the same time opening up networks and possibilities. When this is offered in the context of vital services, such as healthcare, as well as the civil society sector, the contribution to our communities is considerable. I was very pleased to have been involved in the evaluation of this unique pilot, which I hope will become an inspiration for others independently of location” Professor Theo Gavrielides, PhD.