Are you interested in giving back to your community but unsure where to start? Volunteering with workforce services is a great way to get involved and make a difference. Workforce services help connect individuals with employment opportunities, provide job training and support, and offer other resources to help people succeed in their careers.
As a volunteer, you have the chance to help people in your community take the first steps towards achieving their goals. Here are ways to volunteer with workforce services.
Serve as a Mentor
Many workforce services programs pair mentors with participants. As a mentor, you help individuals identify their strengths and set educational or career goals. You serve as a sounding board as they navigate their job search and develop the skills they need to be successful. As a mentor, you help them prepare for interviews by sharing your expertise and experiences. Your advice and support help participants in these programs achieve their potential.
Teach at a Workshop
Workforce development services participants benefit from resume writing, interviewing, and networking workshops. Consider teaching at a workshop if you have any expertise in these areas. You help participants build the skills they need to find and keep great jobs.
Host a Job Shadow Day
Job shadowing is a perfect opportunity to introduce participants to your industry and help them explore other career options. As a host, you provide participants with an inside look at your daily activities. Businesses of all sizes host job shadow days, making this an excellent way for small businesses to get involved.
Serve on a Workforce Development Board or Committee
Many workforce development organizations have boards or committees. They help shape the programs and services offered. As a board or committee member, you have the opportunity to provide input on workforce development initiatives in your community. This is a great way to get involved in the planning and direction of workforce development efforts.
Connect Participants with Internships and Job Opportunities
As a volunteer you may share your professional network, connecting participants with businesses in your industry, or serving as a reference for participants as they approach job opportunities. By helping participants find employment opportunities, you help them take the first steps towards a successful career.
Speak at an Event
Workforce development organizations often host career fairs and job search workshops. As a speaker, you share your expertise in a particular area with participants. This is a great way to connect with workforce development initiatives in your community and support the mission of the organizations carrying out these efforts.
Help With Administrative Tasks
Basic administrative tasks like data entry, mailing out information packets, and answering phones are essential to workforce development. You help the organization run smoothly and efficiently by lending a hand with these tasks. It frees other staff to focus on more focused or large-scale tasks, like providing one-on-one support to participants and planning events.
Fundraise
Community workforce development programs rely on the support of generous donors to maintain operations. Host a fundraiser, solicit donations, or provide grant-writing assistance. Your efforts help workforce development programs in your community continue to provide valuable services to participants.
Donate Goods or Services
Workforce development organizations need in-kind donations such as office supplies, computer equipment, clothes, and furniture. These items are sold in the workforce development organization’s retail store. The proceeds support workforce development programs.
As a volunteer, you can also participate in hosting awareness events in your community, letting people know that they can donate items to the organization. Most workforce development organizations are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, so your donations are tax-deductible.
Volunteer With Workforce Services to Support Your Community
Workforce services are essential to the success of communities. They provide participants with the necessary skills and resources to find and keep good jobs. As a volunteer, you play a vital role in these workforce development efforts. There are many ways to get involved, so find an opportunity that fits your skills and interests well.
