Volunteer Activities

Teachers may invite you into their school for any educational purpose. Often this is to chat informally about your career, industry or a subject topic. Or you could be asked to take part in a panel discussion, speed networking, demonstrate a skill, or help students practice job interviews.

In addition to selecting the ITF predefined activities, you can add to your Volunteer Profile page with your own ideas or suggested topics. e.g. "I am a qualified dietician and promote healthy eating" or "I am a member of a robotics group and we can..."

Depending on your Volunteer Profile preferences you may be invited to:

Career Insight Talks and Events

Speaking to groups of young people about your career journey and education pathway, and what work you do now. -providing information on skill requirements and possible education pathways that lead to future employment in your industry. You could do this by offering students short careers talks including a Q&A session, presenting at a career fair, or participating in events such as Speed Career Networking and ‘What’s my Line” or being involved in an ‘Inspiring Women’ activity.

Schools may also host informal lunch time chats in the library or coffee lounge where small groups of students can ask you about working in your field.

Curriculum Link

Involving yourself in consultations with teachers who seek to enrich school curriculum by offering your input to students so they can develop an appreciation of how their academic and vocational school subjects and learning activities are relevant to and are being applied in your career, workplace and industry.

Help with Resumes and/or Realistic Mock Interviews

Giving young people feedback and advice on their Resumes – helping young people practice their communication skills in realistic mock interview scenarios for jobs, Apprenticeships, Higher Education entry etc.

Exchanging Expectations

Enabling the voices of employers and young people to be shared and heard through authentic career conversations. In practical terms, this means a pair or small group of young people sitting down with you (as an employer/ee) and discussing what you both hope for and expect from each other. Young people and employers learning together, will help young workers (including students on placement) and their supervisors to be both more fulfilled and productive in their work.

Reading or Numeracy

Reading to children or listening to them read in a primary school, either individually or in groups. This could be a one-off activity or it may evolve into more regular involvement depending on the needs of the school and availability of the volunteer.

Maths should be fun. Helping with Maths games and challenge events is a great way to keep students engaged in this vital skill area.