vTalent Year

The scheme is currently being piloted with 33 local authorities and 28 Further Education colleges offering 44 week long placements in Children's and Young People's Services.

The aim is to give 2,000 volunteers aged 16-25 the opportunity to directly influence and enhance public sector services and gain skills to improve their employability.  At least 40% of the places given to young people who are not in employment, education or training.

The high quality, structured placements in areas such as nursery education, play, youth work and supporter learning will last 44 weeks, lead to a minimum of a level 2 qualification and offer personal development grants of up to £1,500 for young volunteers on completion of the programme.

Residential weekends prepare young volunteers for their placements, and enable them to undertake a skills audit. Delivered by the Duke of Edinburgh Award, these will encourage young people to develop social networking groups so they can keep in touch with each other during their placements and foster a group identity.

Discovering talent
Terry Ryall, v's Chief Executive, says: "This unique full time volunteering scheme will draw out the hidden talents of more than 1,000 of our young people that might otherwise go undiscovered. It will give them the chance to develop skills, confidence and experience to gain access to work while also bringing their energy and enthusiasm to the public sector."

"We believe that by embedding the volunteers in Children's and Young People's Services departments, they will be able to positively inform and influence those services. v is keen to offer this volunteering programme to all young people who are interested in pursuing a career in the public sector. We are particularly mindful of the need to engage disadvantaged young people and work in partnership with local authorities to deliver a compelling full time volunteering programme which will be recognised by young people and employers in the Children and Youth sector."

At the launch of vTalent Year, Kevin Brennan, Minister for the Third Sector, said: "Volunteers are the lifeblood of the third sector. This innovative new scheme will get more young people out into communities, playing a vital role in important public service areas and building cohesion. By giving their time and their skills, these young volunteers are investing in their futures, gaining workplace experience, networking, building confidence and developing new skills. In the challenging times ahead I hope to see more innovative schemes like this one."