The announcement was made as part of Volunteers Week, which begins on 1 June
Plans to establish an accredited business mentoring programme have been announced by a leading Scots charity as part of this year’s Volunteers Week.
Young Enterprise (YE) Scotland has announced plans for a course in collaboration with SCQF and Glasgow Kelvin College.
The new Level 7 qualification in mentorship will be an expansion of YE Scotland’s Volunteer Gateway, which includes training courses and other resources to support the volunteer experience.
Launched as part of the organisation’s 30th anniversary celebrations this year, the plans have been put in place not only to show the organisation’s appreciation to those who contribute their time and energy without seeking remuneration, but also to encourage more people to support its schools’ Company Programme as business mentors.
The aim is for the programme to be up and running for the new curricular year in September.
Amy Glover, volunteer and alumni executive, said: “By offering an accredited and well-resourced business mentoring programme we can support volunteers by helping them build the skills and competencies to get the most from the experience with us. The aim is to encourage more people to volunteer and build a bank of experienced business mentors across Scotland who will go on to support more young people develop their own enterprise skills.”
Investors in Volunteers accredited, YE Scotland has 270 volunteers across Scotland fulfilling roles essential to the success of the organisation, including business advisers to its enterprise education programmes, gardeners and minibus drivers.
The new accredited CPD framework for business mentors and the expansion of the Volunteer Gateway follows moves to harness the passion and expertise of those who have experienced YE Scotland’s enterprise programmes with the creation of an Alumni Board.
Ms Glover added: “Our appreciation goes to all our volunteers, whether new or long-standing, for their continuing efforts in assisting the young people who engage in our programmes.
“Their amazing contributions to unlock the potential in young people span our work from our Board of Trustees and Company Programme Volunteers to our Rouken Glen cooks, gardeners and maintenance staff.
“As part of our 30th anniversary celebrations we want to recognise this contribution. We will celebrate their achievements at our Festival of Youth Enterprise in June and will host a volunteers and alumni ceilidh in August.
“Our plans to launch a mentoring qualification is another mark of our appreciation.”
