Big Society's Big Mouth Powered by v

It's true that work placements have a huge impact on being able to secure a job. What companies want is people who can hit the ground running with little or no extra training. Internships are now the entry level jobs and yet remain largely unpaid.

If I could have afforded to do work placements whilst studying I would've done. However, my loan barely covered my rent. Talking to other people many have had the same problem. Another issue is that these internships are full time meaning missing uni classes which isn't exactly ideal.

If previous experience is so vital in gaining employment then courses at higher and further education level need to take note and build it into the course. As it stands, graduates are facing unemployment or taking any job just to pay the bills or to fund a stint of UNPAID placements. I'm beginning to think certain industries are elitist, where is the diversity?
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Hi Rachel,
Thanks for your comments above, it's really good to hear your perspective and that you are hopeful the Big Society will have a positive effect on our communities. In your experience of volunteering what local services do you think will need the Big Society the most? Also check out Rachel's discussion she wants to hear from people about the volunteering they do in their communities: http://goo.gl/TNdI7 Thanks
Kate Read less

Thanks Kate :) I think the Big Society will rely a lot on "hobby bobbies" as there are a lot of cuts in the public sector. I think we'll need a lot of people to volunteer to clean up the streets and things as jobs in the council are going and also just volunteering in social services, such as carers, tutors and children in care. I know it's a lot to ask, but surely if everyone pulls together it'll be possible! :) Read less

Interesting, I agree with Rachel - 'hobby bobby' sums it up perfectly. As a serial 'hobby bobby' myself, I think it's great the more attention is being drawn to the positive individual contributions that we can make to communities and the Big Society as a whole.

The catch, though, is that there's a dependence on the good will of volunteers ... here's hoping there's an infinite pool of it ... and if not v is doing great things to make it as sustainable as possible.  Read less

But even for a volunteer there are costs involved in taking someone on.

For example, I don't believe volunteers should have to pay to help out - therefore we refund them travelling expenses and make sure we provide dinner when they help us all afternoon and evening at one of our ceilidhs. It's only the time they should give for free.

Internships you get something tangible back from - not just that warm feeling inside, but something concrete to go on your CV, a reference, particular training, etc. I agree, I would hate to have to work full time in London without being paid, but I also understand why people do it.

My own sister is currently doing an internship with the BBC (her second one). I know organisations like this will keep you as a free intern as long as possible, and even once you're employed (if you're lucky) you're on a short term contract, low wages, etc. In this scenario, even if your contract is renewed you get no more rights, as you're seen as a new employee again, rather than totting up the time you've been there.

Life at the bottom sucks in general I think. But if you're discovering new and exciting things, is it worth it? Read less

Controversial. The key point for me is that there are very different connotations associated with the word 'volunteer' compared to 'intern'. An internship is seen as an indirect path to employment, or at the very least upskilling for the intern to boost employability. The focus in on benefitting the intern. Of course the reality can be very different and there is a lot of grey areas in both public and private sector internships.

Volunteering, on the other hand, is seen as more - well for lack of a better word - 'selfless' ... the focus is far more on providing the volunteer with a rounded perspective of the organisation and 'fun' tasks, because they are not being paid.

In reality, internships and volunteering are two very different creatures ... but either way I feel the volunteer/intern should think very seriously before undertaking the activity if it is at a financial cost to themselves.  Read less

That's a really clear way of putting it. I agree.

We often have problems encouraging volunteers to do things that we can't afford to pay staff to do (eg, stuffing envelopes) - they often want more responsibility - which boils down to more power and therefore more interesting tasks.

But to what extent should a volunteer have a say in what they are doing if they are being 'selfless'?

You'll find that most volunteers have a motive for being there: it might be to feel good about giving their time to charity (in which case envelope stuffing is ok, if unfulfilling), or it might be to meet other volunteers (in which case envelope stuffing might be an ideal opportunity), or it might be to try new things, get to know service-users, or something else, for which envelope stuffing is no substitute!

If volunteering is like a 'selfless' internship, perhaps we need more categories - volunteering for work experience, volunteering socially, volunteering to help an organisation, or volunteering to help end-users.... Read less

I agree with both comments. Like Sonali said, EMA was pretty much a lifeline for both my sisters and myself and it paid for my food and travel costs to go to college (transports wasn't free back then!!) I'm seriously concerned that without it, my younger brother won't see the point in putting himself through a part time job just to then take a loan and spend even more money on unviersity fees (my parents definitely cannot afford to pay upfront). And the attraction of a personal and disposable income from a part time job would only add to that.

Like Grace said, the government should be more vocal about what it plans to replace EMA funding with, and ensure it's directly linked to ensuring the brightest and most willing are able to access higher education without an overwhelming burden and fear of debt. Scholarships and trust funds??? Read less

Hi Philip - The plan is to replace EMA with an enhanced discretionary learner support fund which will be managed by schools, colleges and training providers. The Department for Education is holding consultations with school, college and training organisation representatives to develop the arrangements but the funding is significantly less than it was for EMA. Look here for more info http://tinyurl.com/6f4de2z Read less