vInspired awards endorsements

Bashy: “vInspired.com is just so innovative and positive. I wish the vinspired award scheme was about when I was still in school because I'd have been involved straight away."

Alex Mitchell, Institute of Directors: “Safeguarding our present during the global economic downturn is critical but it is also extremely important that we all look to the future. Key to this is making sure the talent of our young people is nurtured and grown; this will be of vital importance to the success of our economy going forward. At a time when the job market is challenging, volunteering can develop in young people crucial skills such as leadership, team work and project management, skills that will be invaluable to business. The vinspired awards will showcase the advantage that volunteering can bring to young people and inspire them to get involved. The IoD is therefore delighted to support this initiative.”

Martha Lane Fox (Business Woman & lastminute.com founder)

“I salute anybody who volunteers. Not only does it give you valuable experience but it makes you eminently more employable. And who knows you might even have some fun too!”

Felix Howard (President of A&R at EMI Music): “The media often portray such a negative image of England’s youth and it’s great to see the other much more positive side.  The vInspired award scheme is a fantastic way of recognising, and thanking these people for getting involved and if I saw this on a cv, it would definitely jump to the top of the pile.”

Karren Brady (West Ham Football Club & The Apprentice): “I think that anybody who volunteers is taking a decisive step in the right direction and taking their career ambitions into their own hands.

"Not only does volunteering for the vInspired award scheme give you valuable experience, but it makes you eminently more employable. And who knows you might even have some fun too!  I would seriously consider a candidate for interview if they had committed to such a unique scheme”

Richard Wainer, Confederation of British Industries: “At a time when businesses around the country are feeling the strain from the global economic downturn, young people too are finding it more and more difficult to find employment.  Volunteering is one way that young people can stay active and keep in close touch with the world of work, learn new skills and contribute to communities.  The CBI is pleased to support the vInspired awards because they allow young people to assess and articulate to employers the impact of volunteering on key employability skills.  And that can only enhance a young person’s future prospects.”

James Caan (Entrepreneur & Dragon’s Den Star): “I am thrilled to be part of the vInspired awards and endorse the scheme.  There is a real need for employers to understand the full extent of skills young people gain through volunteering experiences. 

"In these financially challenging times it has never been more important for young job seekers to stand out and be noticed by employers and it is equally important for businesses to ensure they recognise the motivation, commitment and desire volunteers have for self improvement, which are all key attributes required in candidates by any successful business.”

“It’s about time we recognise young people for the contribution they make to their communities though volunteering and it is also an opportunity to showcase  the experience volunteers can get that may help them move in the right direction when looking for work.”

Tom Hadley, Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC): “Employers recognise the valuable skills that can be gained through volunteering. In a competitive jobs market a jobseeker needs to go above and beyond to demonstrate they have the right skills for the job. Experience gained through volunteering can significantly bolster a candidate’s CV. This is particularly true for young people who may have little or no experience in the labour market. At a time when it is becoming increasingly difficulty for jobseekers under the age of 25 to find an entry point into the labour market, volunteering is one way that can help a candidate stand out from the crowd. We are therefore pleased to support the vinspired awards”.