Building a stronger workforce and community through skilled volunteering

National Volunteer Week is celebrated in May and recognises the important support volunteers provide to communities across Australia. 

It is also a time for people who are interested in becoming volunteers to find out more and get involved. Skilled volunteering is people offering their professional skills to support and make a meaningful contribution as part of social enterprise, not for profit or community organisation. 

Skilled volunteering not only benefits these organisations, but also helps to build a stronger and more cohesive workforce. By taking part in meaningful volunteer work, people can develop their leadership skills, expand their networks, and gain experience in other sectors. It also helps to build a sense of community and social responsibility, creating a culture of giving back among individuals and businesses alike.

In an ever evolving and competitive business environment, not-for-profit, social enterprise and community organisations often face resource constraints and skill gaps. Skilled volunteers can offer a valuable resource by filling these gaps and offering their specialised knowledge in areas where it is most needed. This collaboration-based approach creates knowledge sharing which benefits both volunteers and organisations.

Skilled volunteers can also bring new perspectives to the organisation they work with. Their different backgrounds and experiences can provide new approaches or different creative solutions that may have otherwise been available. By offering their professional knowledge, skilled volunteers are making significant contributions to not-for-profit, social enterprise and community organisations, and as a result, society as a whole.

The combined efforts of skilled volunteers have the potential to create sustainable, long-term impact and to help address complex challenges facing communities. As organisations continue to embrace skilled volunteering, it is important to foster a culture that recognises and encourages professionals to leverage their skills for the greater good.