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Global Vision International (GVI) is an ethical volunteering organisation working in partnership with over 150 critical conservation and humanitarian projects worldwide. With staff in 30 countries and thousands of ex-volunteers there are many different stories to tell. This news section gives a brief overview of how you can find out more about GVI, its work and its people, and gives you a sample of some clippings from the international press.
Degrees are not enough; Employers prefer graduates who mind the GAP, Survey finds
10 August 2007Employers do not consider university degrees alone to be sufficient preparation for the world of work according to new research by sustainable volunteering organisation Global Vision International (GVI). Most employers, however, do believe that taking time out for a gap year is an effective way of preparing individuals for the workplace.
In the recent GVI-You Gov poll of managers, 58% argued that “no degree adequately prepares a person for the world of work” – with only 3% claiming that any degree was enough of a qualification for someone to start working. When asked whether someone who had undertaken a gap year would be more or less prepared for work, 64% said gap years would help prepare people.
When presented with a list of work skills and asked to choose which would be developed during university, and which would be developed during a gap year, polled managers believed that people were more likely to develop leadership skills, team working and initiative whilst on a gap year, rather than university.<./p>
“Theoretical knowledge is good, and degrees often teach people self-discipline and independence, but a university education seldom teaches you those essential workplace skills which help people in their first jobs, so a well-planned year out which empowers people to use their initiative and develop vital team-working skills is invaluable. Volunteers who join GVI get to work on some of the world’s most critical humanitarian and conservation projects and in doing so develop essential life skills you just can’t get from the lecture theatre,“ said GVI’s Alexis Bleasdale.
Mark Fisher, Chief Executive of the Sector Skills Development Agency, commented: “Employers recognise that you need more than just academic qualifications to be successful in the workplace. Being able to communicate effectively and to work as part of a team are great transferable skills and bring huge benefits to individuals businesses and to the UK economy as a whole.”
Alexis continued: “Taking time out before embarking on a career provides people with opportunities for travel and amazing once in a lifetime experiences, but occasionally these brilliant moments are pooh-poohed as being just long holidays. Our research clearly shows just how highly employers value the skills that individuals gain when they do take time out before working, and how this will benefit them for years to come.”
