There has been much written about unemployed and lazy youths having to get off their backsides. Youths – together with the rest of the UK – are facing the challenges of the recession, but not everyone is making this a disadvantage. In voluntary organisations we see many youths rediscovering the value of being an active citizen, not only to their communities, but also to their CVs and career prospects.
As President for the biggest Junior Chamber in the country, I see more and more young people looking to find that particular competitive advantage that will propel them into working life, fill that elusive gap on the CV, or help them make the next step on the career ladder.
Youth involvement in voluntary and political organisations decreased dramatically during the nineties and the first decade of the new millennium. Why? We-the voluntary organisations- don’t know. Did life get too comfortable, Did people not care about anyone but themselves? What we are seeing now is that involvement and membership in voluntary and civic organisations is again on the rise. Youths, including myself, are realizing the benefit of working for something other than our account balance.
Are we seeing the rebirth of the active and engaged youth? The abundance of jobs our parent’s generation got used to simply does not exist any more, jobs have to be created, they are not up for grabs any more.
JCI promotes youth leadership and entrepreneurship and we see that those members who lose their jobs rarely stay unemployed. Investing in oneself is worth more than investing in the bank. Getting proven hands on experience from a voluntary organisation, be it project management, leadership or budgeting, pays more in terms of real and tangible opportunities to get the dream job than any number GCSEs or A levels. Not forgetting the social and professional networks involvement in a voluntary organisation allows a person to build.
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