Volunteering and employment

This resource explores the relationship between volunteering and employment, including common motivations for volunteering and how volunteer roles can support skill development, confidence and pathways to paid work.

The resource supports organisations to recognise volunteering as a meaningful part of an individual’s employment journey while maintaining ethical volunteer involvement practices.

Benefits for volunteer managers

• supports understanding of volunteer motivations related to employment.
• helps organisations design roles that build transferable skills.
• supports ethical pathways from volunteering to employment.
• strengthens volunteer engagement, development and recognition.

How to apply this resource

This resource is most useful when designing volunteer roles, supporting volunteer development, recognising skills gained through volunteering, or discussing pathways to employment with volunteers.