Home| Idx | Terms Ref | Exc Sum | Recommendations | Chp 1 | Chp 2 | Chp 3 | Chp 4 | Chp 5 | Apx | Disclaimer | Copyright VOLUNTEERING AND UNPAID WORK PLACEMENTS AMONG CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN NSW COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE Cf CHP 2 - EXISTING MEASURES BY VOLUNTEER ORGANISATIONS C2 Chapter Two - Volunteering among young people Cd Introduction Ce Existing government measures to promote and support volunteering among young people Cf Existing measures by volunteer organisations and other agencies to promote and support volunteering among young people THIS PAGE 1 Committee Comment - Recommendation 1 2.10 The Committee heard from a number of organisations that provide services to young people looking to undertake volunteer work, and to organisations looking to engage volunteers. 2.11 The Centre for Volunteering (the Centre) stated that it promotes and supports youth volunteering in NSW by connecting young people with volunteering opportunities through its Volunteer Referral Service, its work with not-for-profit organisations to encourage engagement with youth volunteers, and though its organisation of the Youth Volunteer of the Year Awards.14 2.12 The Centre noted that that it had recently lost Government funding for its youth program and suggested that this had put significant pressure on its capacity to place and support young people in volunteer roles.15 2.13 Career Links submitted that it supports young peoples’ volunteering through its Structured Workplace Learning program for students undertaking work placements, and by running the annual Community and Work PlacementAwards.16 2.14 The NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES) submitted that it developed and successfully implemented a Secondary Schools Cadet program in 2009, leading to increased interest in the NSW SES from young people.17 2.15 Similarly, the NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) stated that it is actively engaging young people in volunteering through it School Cadets, Junior Member, Cadet Brigade and Youth Development programs.18 Committee comment 2.16 The Committee notes the good work of organisations such as the Centre for Volunteering, Career Links, the NSW SES and the NSW RFS in promoting, supporting and engaging with young people about volunteering. 2.17 The Committee acknowledges that the Government has made promoting and supporting volunteering among young people a priority, as evidenced by its inclusion in the NSW Volunteering Strategy. The Committee further acknowledges the good work of government agencies such as NSW Education and Communities in supporting the measures under the strategy. 2.18 The Committee was, however, concerned to hear evidence from the Centre for Volunteering regarding the cuts to Government funding for programs to develop and promote volunteering opportunities for young people. 2.19 For this reason the Committee recommends that the Commission, in its forward work program, works with NSW Education and Communities to review Government funding for youth programs in NSW. RECOMMENDATION 1 The Committee recommends that the Commission for Children and Young People, in its forward work program, works with NSW Education and Communities to review Government funding for youth programs in NSW. 14 Submission 8, Centre for Volunteering, pp. 3-5. 15 Submission 8, Centre for Volunteering, pp. 3. 16 Submission 7, Career Links, pp. 1-1. 17 Submission 21, NSW State Emergency Service, p. 1. 18 Submission 9, NSW Rural Fire Service, pp. 6-8. Cg Best practice in other jurisdictions to support and promote safe and beneficial volunteering opportunities for young people 1 Committee Comment This is an example of how all Committee Information like Agendas, Minutes and Reports can be "On-line" with the RUBAC TM Electronic Committee Information Management [ECIM] Process and provide Committee Metrics including Participation and Contribution eCredits Home | Idx | Terms Ref | Exc Sum | Recommendations | Chp 1 | Chp 2 | Chp 3 | Chp 4 | Chp 5 | Apx | Disclaimer | Copyright