Volunteering...Pathway to Paid Employment. Ideas for Action in Education and Work, Issue 4.

Solutions to two problems are proposed: (1) a lack of help in social services due to the state of the economy, rising unemployment, and cuts in government support; and (2) fewer opportunities for career preparation and training programs. It is suggested that increased volunteerism would alleviate the problems while helping people learn job skills, gain experience, and become more self-confident and employable. Some job skills commonly used, personal gains acquired, and job-hunting techniques developed by volunteers are listed. Suggested actions for individual volunteers, volunteer agencies, and employers to take in order to make volunteering a more effective pathway to employment are provided, as are resources and publications. (JW)