Whether it’s a video store, ice cream shop, or fast food joint, many adults can easily recall their first jobs.
This common rite of passage usually happens around age 15 when teens get antsy to start making their own money and parents are happy to have them learn a new skill set.
And while the District of West Vancouver has for many years offered volunteer opportunities for youth ages 15-18 as a first step toward work experience, program co-ordinator Melanie Clark says there has been a marked increase recently in requests for opportunities for the younger set to expand their skill set related to the work force.
In the past year or so, parents of kids as young as 10 have been contacting her regularly asking about volunteer opportunities and leadership skills training to prepare for work.
Volunteer positions at the district are open to teens ages 14 and older.
But in response to recent requests for earlier opportunities, the district has designed a special pre-volunteer program for the 10-14 age group. The program focuses on volunteer training and basic work skills.
The message to Clark from parents was clear: they wanted a program to help expand skill sets and position younger teens to get employment when they reach the right age.
Offered year-round, the General Youth Volunteer Orientation workshop is a three-hour session that provides basic volunteer training. Participants can then add additional training modules depending on their interests.
For example, they may then add on modules with specific training to become daycamp leaders or volunteer at the aquatic centre or ice arena.
Clark says the goal is to prepare younger youth to transition into the volunteer program when they reach 14.
The program includes training in leadership skills and inter-personal skills, such as effective listening and communication, how to work in teams, and project planning.
As they move through the process they are also given an opportunity to practise what they’ve learned in a short-term practicum volunteer placement, explains Clark. She notes that the under-14s are well supervised in their volunteer placement to ensure safety for everyone involved.
The summer version of the volunteer training program also included plenty of time to unwind.
“We’ve recognized that there’s an interest in learning but still having fun, and still getting their feet wet and being able to learn skills required of volunteers,” says Clark.
