Pnet’s data shows a long-term increase in the number of candidates with volunteering experience. An analysis suggests that volunteering can be a compelling strategy for developing work-relevant skills and experience. When captured on a candidate’s profile, volunteering can strengthen employability and is, in some cases, associated with a shorter journey into employment.
The strongest concentration is among younger South Africans, with 19 to 24-year-olds accounting for 56% of volunteering candidates in the age analysis. This age profile coincides with the period immediately after Matric, during tertiary studies or shortly after completing a qualification, when many young people are exploring career options and building their first meaningful workplace experience.
The data shows that volunteering tends to happen at a slightly younger age than internships. Internships are typically taken up between the ages of 22 and 25, making them more common during or after tertiary education. Volunteering often begins earlier and can form part of a gap year after Matric.
“Volunteering can be particularly useful for young people who have not yet committed to a course of study or career path. It can provide exposure to real working environments, communities and organisations while helping young people develop practical skills and gain a clearer sense of the careers or fields that interest them,” says Anja Bates, head of data at Pnet.
Volunteering correlates with a shorter job search
Pnet compared career data of candidates with and without volunteering experience to understand whether volunteering makes a difference when entering the job market. For roles requiring a Matric qualification, candidates with volunteering experience take approximately nine months to find employment, compared with around 12 months for candidates without volunteering experience.
For roles requiring a diploma or degree, candidates with volunteering experience typically take around one month less to secure suitable employment than candidates without it. These findings suggest that relevant volunteering experience may help young candidates demonstrate practical capability at a stage when formal work experience is still limited – especially if they lack tertiary education.
Pnet also compared professionals at the same experience and qualification levels to determine whether those with volunteering backgrounds earn more than those without. In most cases, there was no significant difference in remuneration. Only around 1% of professionals with volunteering experience earned statistically higher salaries.
In these cases, their volunteering experience was closely aligned with their eventual profession and was likely to be viewed as relevant additional career exposure. This reinforces the point that volunteering carries the greatest career value when the experience is purposeful and connected to the skills a candidate will eventually use in their job.
What can young people gain from volunteering?
Bates says that a well-chosen volunteering experience can help you develop capabilities that are useful across a wide range of occupations. These include communication, teamwork, leadership, time management, problem-solving and adaptability – skills that are valued in both the workplace and further study.
“Volunteering can build confidence, independence, resilience and maturity. It can also provide useful career exposure. If you are young, it can help you strengthen your CV while you hunt for a job. And if you are not sure what you want to do, a volunteering programme may let you test your interests before committing to a qualification or career path,” says Bates.
“There may also be opportunities to build networks by meeting professionals, mentors and peers who can provide future guidance, references or employment leads. If it offers opportunities to work with communities or cultures you are not familiar with, volunteering can also broaden your perspective and cultural awareness.”
What should young people consider before volunteering?
For young people considering a gap year, the value of volunteering lies largely in how deliberately the experience is chosen and used. It is important to consider the following:
- Choose opportunities that align with your interests or possible career goals.
- Set clear personal and professional objectives before you begin.
- Look for programmes that provide real responsibility, learning and training.
- Keep a record of the skills developed and achievements gained.
- Add relevant volunteering experience to your online profiles so employers can see it.
- Where possible, combine volunteering with other forms of development such as short courses, skills training or work experience.
- Be prepared for the emotional demands of volunteering, especially if you will be working with vulnerable people, disadvantaged groups or neglected or abused animals.
- Understand the opportunity costs of volunteering versus paid work, studies or internships, if building work experience and improving employability is your main goal.
- Be aware that some programmes – particularly international opportunities – involve significant costs for travel, accommodation, training or administration
“For young people, the key is to choose volunteering opportunities with intention. The strongest value comes from experiences that build skills that are relevant to your career interests, provide meaningful responsibility and help clarify your future career direction. Remember to record your experience on your CV or Pnet profile,” says Bates.
“For employers and recruiters, volunteering can provide useful evidence of initiative, transferable skills and real-world exposure. When assessing younger candidates who may not yet have an extensive employment history, references and experience from volunteering will offer insight into their level of motivation, how they collaborate with others and their ability to solve problems.”
