Applying for university, taking a gap year, looking for your first job or changing career? Becoming a Scout volunteer can boost your CV, your UCAS statement, your prospects and give you the edge at job interviews.

In a recent independent study, 41% of employers said that if an applicant was a Scout volunteer it would positively influence a decision to employ them.

The job market is competitive. Latest figures show that 2.51 million people in the UK are currently unemployed; while the number of 16 to 24-year-olds not in education, employment or training (known as ‘Neets’) is approaching 1 million.

Scout volunteers can work towards nationally-recognised qualifications that employers value – like first aid and health and hygiene. You can also be trained to deliver adventurous activities like archery, climbing, caving and abseiling – or become a qualified mountain leader.

The training modules the Scouts offer can get you qualifications that are recognised by the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) and the Institute of Training and Occupational Learning (ITOL).

Volunteering with Scouts can also give you lots of transferable skills. Here are just a few:

• Motivation
  Attending regular meetings, completing training modules, planning activities for your Scout section, managing volunteers or Scout finances all demonstrate that you are conscientious.
• Leadership
  Scouting is about spreading positivity and a can-do attitude among young people in order to help them to develop.
• Communication skills
  Scout volunteers deal with people of all ages and backgrounds and develop excellent interpersonal skills.
• Time-management
  Our volunteers are excellent at juggling demands at Scout meetings and balancing their lives with their volunteer work.
• Problem-solving 
  Scouts are creative and resourceful. As a volunteer you’ll develop practical problem-solving skills that translate to everyday life.
• Teamwork
  From running a Scout Group to swinging through a high ropes course, Scouts is all about teamwork.
• Confidence
  Working with young people or other volunteers is all about inspiring others. Being a Scout volunteer gives you opportunities to try new things and test your own abilities.
• Experience
  Scouting offers unique opportunities that will expand your horizons and help you grow both personally and professionally.
• Flexibility 
  The Scouting programme is varied and diverse, so volunteers continually have to adapt.
• Crisis management
  Scouts are trained to respond quickly and sensibly in adversity.

Find out more about the transferable skills of Scout volunteers by downloading our free Get Ahead resources, which have been produced to help adult volunteers (18+) or Explorers and Network members (aged 14 to 25).

How to volunteer

Volunteering with us is easy, fun and flexible – how much time you give is up to you. Whether you help out once a fortnight, month or term or just at special events, there is bound to be a role you can play, and no matter how you get involved, you’ll be trained and supported.

Many different volunteer roles are available too – you don’t have to work with young people and for instance, could take up a finance, media or management role. Search for your scouting role on our Voulnteer page