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Training for volunteers

Chapter 4:
Onboarding and training volunteers

The value in training volunteers

To ensure that volunteers have the necessary competencies to carry out their volunteering roles effectively, agencies can also consider conducting training to impart basic skills, knowledge and the right mindset to enable volunteers to be able to do their job properly.

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Before rolling out the training programmes, it is important to clarify the time commitment and types of training that will be expected of volunteers.

How to design volunteer training programmes?

  1. Identify the types of knowledge, skills and abilities that the volunteers might not have, but will require when performing their roles.
     

  2. Clarify the need for training, and talk about the benefits to the volunteer and SSA if volunteers undergo training
     

  3. Think about what kind of training to engage volunteers in

    • Structured training programme

      • Compulsory training as part of onboarding

      • Mandatory courses for all volunteers to attend

    • On-the-job training

      • Provide a demonstration of how the task is conducted

      • Assign a mentor to guide the volunteer in his or her work

      • Teach the volunteer how to execute a task

    • Periodic training

      • Ongoing training courses to deepen skills and/or keep the volunteers up-to-date on trends in relevant areas

      • Refresher courses
         

  4. How to conduct training

    • Internal vs external

      • Can the training be conducted by internal staff, or do you need to employ an external vendor to conduct the trainings?​

    • Budgeting
       

  5. Tracking of training

    • Record training required and attended by volunteers 
       

  6. Evaluation of training

    • Did it meet the outcome? 

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