There are several roles that you can take when volunteering with the Personal Development Team which have varying levels of time commitment and planning.
Core PD Team
Organising group for each city's Personal Development team.
Time commitment: 4-10 hours per week for the duration of the course
Size: 6-8 people (1 person per 5 trainees in each class, plus 1 for the mentoring program, and support for graduates needing employment)
Responsibilities
Develop the strategy for trainee learning and support (overarching goals of removing barriers to trainee’s learning; supporting trainees development of soft skills)
Meet weekly to plan, share trainee challenges and give support to each other (face to face video calls)
One member supports on coordinating new volunteers and funnels them to appropriate roles in PD
One member supports on coordinating the Mentoring Program
As a team, assess each applicant shortlisted for the course by the Education Team to see if they qualify based on their personal circumstances
Each member supports a group of 4-5 trainees for the duration of the course
Team coordinates all the PD support for the course:
PD workshop days (6 sessions throughout the course designed to develop skills needed in the workplace: communication, teamwork, time management, willingness to learn and get feedback)
Weekly online support (check in with trainees , encourage online communication skills)
Financial support (transport costs, childcare, lunch on class days)
Laptops (donated from corporate partners, loaned until trainees get a job)
Internet (home cost paid or dongle provided, paid until trainees get a job?) Emotional support (trainees are living in very stressful situations with little or no support)
Language support (Really English online learning program provided through RefuAid, Code Your Future Language Exchange)
Career Mentoring program (1-1 mentoring for 3 hours per month for the length of the course)
Employment support (finding roles with employers interested in hiring CYF graduates, done on partnership with CYF strategy team)
Workshops and events hosted by partners (CV writing, mock interviews, general recruitment talks, office visits)
Signposting to other services (don’t need to be an expert in everything but need to know where to get additional support eg. housing or legal)
Design content and deliver PD workshop days
Work with Outreach team to recruit other volunteers to deliver content on PD workshop days
Work closely with the Education team to track trainee progress
Support during the technical classes with the icebreaker/energiser; trainee expenses; meeting with and giving trainee’s feedback
General PD Volunteer Roles
Time commitment varies depending on the role
Applicant Calling
Support applicants during the application process.
Time commitment: 1 hour to become familiar with the stages of the application process and what the trainee is required to do; then 1 - 2 hours of calling a set number of applicants who have not completed steps, updating list with feedback on what was learned in the calls. Can be one off or ongoing.
Call course applicants during the application process
Provide support on the application process
Answer questions and find blockers which are stopping progress with applications
Applicant Drop-in Days
Support CYF team on applicant drop in days by assessing the personal circumstances of applicants.
Time commitment: The duration of the drop in session 2-6 hours. Can be one-off or ongoing.
Find out if anyone needs a laptop to move to next step of the application process.
If anyone needs transport costs paid for drop in sessions or for the course if they are accepted.
If anyone has children and needs childcare for the drop in sessions or the classes if they are accepted.
If anyone needs internet provided in their home or via a Wifi dongle.
If anyone seems to have difficulty reading or speaking English.
Applicant Interview Days
Interview Applicants from a non technical point of view.
Time commitment: 1 hour per interview plus time to become familiar with the Interview Questionnaire and Applicant criteria document
Assess if the trainee meets the minimum application criteria (link)
Assess their language ability from their 300 word Personal Statement.
Assess their ability to commit 25 hours a week to the course.
Check if they are studying anywhere else.
Check if they have a very long commute to the class space. Check if they have caring responsibilities.
Check if they are employed P/T or F/T or casual.
Confirm they have a bank account so we can pay for their expenses.
Consult with the technical interviewer and make an assessment of the trainee’s potential to complete the course.
Fill out the Interviewers Feedback Form.
PD Workshop Facilitator
Volunteer for the whole day to support the various PD activities being delivered. 2-4 days during Fundamentals course; 5-6 days during main course.
Time commitment: 7-8 hours; no preparation needed. One-off.
Time commitment: 3-4 hours on the workshop day; some preparation needed to create content and communicate support needed before session day
Time commitment: Volunteer to lead on delivering a 1-2 hour session
Career Mentor
Support one trainee with help on their career journey for the duration of the course 6-8 months. No support with technical homework or questions.
Time commitment: 3 hours per month for duration of the course