Volunteer Work May Teach Leadership, Business Skills

Giving Back, Growing Leaders: A concept known as “skills-based volunteerism” is a largely untapped but potentially effective method of professional development, and one that would be highly valued by most human resources professionals, according to a survey by Deloitte. “Fully 91 percent of respondents agree that skills-based volunteering (which involves the contribution of business knowledge and experience to help nonprofits increase their capacity) would add value to training and development programs, particularly as it relates to fostering business and leadership skills. However, only 16 percent make it a regular practice to intentionally offer these opportunities for employee development, suggesting a missed opportunity to boost learning in a way that offers substantial benefits,” according to Deloitte’s April 28 report.

Seven in 10 HR leaders say their training budgets are flatter this year than in previous years, underscoring the need to deliver learning amid dwindling resources. Deloitte’s survey reveals that only 2 percent believe that folding skills-based volunteering into talent development would cost more than traditional learning methods. Even in organizations that offer it, however, only 13 percent make it available to all employees, suggesting persistent doubt regarding whether volunteering effectively develops leadership skills. Deloitte queried 500 HR managers for its fifth Volunteer Impact study.