Volunteering as the Way for Productivity and Employability Improvement

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a research that investigated the extent in which volunteering is present in the population of unemployed in Croatia (in Split-Dalmatia county), and in which way volunteering can be a useful way and measure for their faster and more productive (re)employment. Attitudes and perceptions of unemployed volunteers have been compared with those from non-volunteers, as well as unemployment records of those two populations. Finally, the potential of volunteering as a tool for faster and more productive employment of unemployed has been assessed.Strong evidence that volunteering helps to faster and more productive employment of unemployed has been found. Research showed that population of unemployed is very good target group to promote volunteering as the way to acquire new knowledge and skills. Unemployed see volunteering, among other, as a good vehicle to improve their employability and entry into the 'world of work'. Promotion of volunteering among unemployed should be seen as the activity that contributes not only to develop volunteering and increase individual and social benefits from volunteering itself, but as activity and tool to reduce unemployment, shorten unemployment duration for individuals, and increase productive utilisation of human capital.

Volunteering and Reemployment Status in Unemployed Emerging Adults

“…The link between volunteering and reemployment has been reported in various empirical studies (e.g., Goić & Jeronćić, 2012; Hirst, 2001; Shore & Tashchian, 2013). In a recent national survey conducted in the United States, a significant and stable association between volunteering and employment was found among individuals older than 16 years of age (Spera, Ghertner, Nerino, & DiTommaso, 2013).…”

“…Although the emerging adults in this study represent a wide range of careers, skillsets, and sociocultural backgrounds, those who elected to volunteer, even for a minimal investment in time (less than 2 hr per week), were more likely to procure employment 6 months later. Although there is no sufficient evidence in the literature supporting the association between volunteering and likelihood of reemployment (Shore & Tashchian, 2013, Wilson, 2000), there are a few studies that highlight the link between these 2 areas of study (Goić & Jeronćić, 2012; Hirst, 2001; Shore & Tashchian, 2013). It has been suggested that the improvement in career development is implicated in the direct link between volunteering and likelihood of employment volunteering (Ellis, 1993) and that the underlying motivations of those individuals who volunteer, such as increasing social contacts and job-related skills, may increase job prospects (Hall et al, 2006; Hodgkinson & Murray, 1996).…”