Dive Brief:

• Skills-based volunteering activities can teach new skills to employees, boost team dynamics and positively impact communities, according to Personnel Today. 
• The 2016 Deloitte Impact Survey indicated that "82% of recruiters said that they would be more likely to choose a candidate with volunteer experience listed on their resume". Nine out of 10 recruiters said that they view employee volunteering as a way to improve broader professional skills. 
• Volunteering can augment traditional workplace learning, according to the post. "Voluntary service in an employers setting can help employees to become more self-aware about career goals and how they fit into the bigger picture of their work life." 

Dive Insight:

Volunteerism is an important aspect of running a responsible company, but it's also a valuable way for employees to learn a wide gamut of work-related skills. Some estimates put the savings at around $1,000 per employee per year for volunteering vs. sitting in classroom training. 

Getting engaged in volunteering also brings teams closer together through a common goal, and can elevate the morale of employees – doing something good for others feels good. Volunteering also provides fulfillment on the individual level. For example, allowing employees the chance to volunteer at the polls on election day could give them an outlet for political expression.  

In order to get the most out of employee volunteer programs, employees should be carefully matched to the right opportunities, and they should focus on building the skill sets that will support career growth.