New white paper reveals the benefits of hiring employees with volunteer travel experience

A new report into volunteer travel has highlighted the benefits it can have to businesses. The white paper, released earlier this month by Brighton-based volunteer travel company i-to-i and with contributions from a range of organisations including City & Guilds and Just Giving, highlights the soft skills attained through volunteering and the value they can have in a working environment.

The research found that of 3,000 i-to-i volunteers surveyed, 80% had increased confidence, 79% independence and 62% came away with a more positive energy. 40% of volunteers felt they had enhanced their decision-making and team building skills whilst 30% believed they had increased their leadership, organisational and foreign language skills, all highly valuable skills in the workplace. 

Commenting on the findings Jason Woodford, Chief Executive of SiteVisibility, said; ‘Soft skills developed through volunteering are invaluable within a business. Skills like interpersonal communication and leadership make candidates stand-out and we would very much encourage them to be honed through volunteer travel.”

This opinion was echoed by Marcia Asare, Corporate Responsibility Adviser at City & Guilds who said; “The kind of soft skills developed through volunteering and travel really are important in the workplace – I’ve always said we hire for attitude and train for skills but if soft skills are already demonstrated that’s a huge positive.”

It is quite clear that volunteer travel can benefit the professional development of the individual, enabling them to adapt to challenges and achieve success in their role. This in turn enhances job satisfaction and overall happiness, and let’s face it, who doesn’t want a happy workforce?

For further information on the research and to read the white paper visit; http://www.i-to-i.com/personal-development-through-volunteering

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