Students Opt for UK Gap Years over Limited Uni Places

This year record numbers of students will be denied a place at University due to the lack of places and face a difficult jobs market.  Many students are choosing a Gap Year in the UK as a constructive alternative to holidaying in the sun or fruitlessly staying at home on the dole.  
 
A Gap Year in the UK can boost students' prospects for university and working life. Students concerned about their career are opting to gain skills in a field that interests them whilst searching for their dream job, by volunteering to help homeless people, refugees, young offenders and people with special needs.  
 
From A Level results day (Thursday 19 August 2010) thousands of young people will be making decisions on their next step and many will be deciding to take time out in the UK with CSV, the UK's leading volunteering charity.  A Gap Year with CSV lasts 4-12 months and does not cost a penny.  Volunteers get to live away from home and are provided with free accommodation, food and travel expenses, plus a weekly living allowance.

CSV surveyed former Gap Year volunteers and found their Gap Year to have been highly positive with 9 in 10 stating the experience has boosted their job prospects.  Other key findings are:
 
84% say the experience increases employability
96% say the experience develops skills
77% say the experience helps distinguish from other job seekers
73% say redundancy would make them more likely to volunteer
 
Is Szoneberg, CSV Director for gap year volunteering, says: "Young people are looking for more from a gap year than just a 12 month beach holiday. They are acutely aware of the competition for university places and in the job market, and are looking for a way to use their time wisely.  Rising university costs mean young people are also really keen to get experience that is free and that will help them get a job or support their further education. Volunteering with CSV not only gives immense life experience but provides skills in communication, problem solving and team building that should help them with any future job interview."
 
Case studies
 
Dominica Cole, 19, from Luton was planning on starting her degree in Medicine straight after her 'A' Levels, however was forced to take a break after missing her offer.  Dominica was determined to make the break from education work for her by spending the valuable time building on her experience.  
 
"At first I was worried when I missed my offer but I had actually been feeling quite unprepared for university.  I looked ahead to the year out of education and decided to fill it with new experiences and any training which could boost my CV.  I'd not lived away from home before, so moving to a different town was daunting but it was soon fun and exciting!  I was placed at Huddersfield University to provide support, along with two other volunteers, for a student with Cerebral Palsy.   The university offered us free training in youth issues, skills for work and management which I was really pleased with.  
 
"People have commented on how impressive and diverse my CV is for my age, and I'm really proud of that.  I've found employers to be very encouraged by my volunteering experience.  I was offered a job I was quite under qualified for because I was able to demonstrate my maturity and confidence at interview and had experience in the workplace.”
 
"I would recommend volunteering to all 'A' Level students.  People notice I volunteer and then remember me; it really makes my applications stand out from others.  There are few opportunities to take time out of formal work and education and my Gap Year has given me skills and experience to prepare me for my next step.  I feel much more confident, mature and ready for my degree course.  I've lived away from home, made new friends and really thrived this past year and can now look forward to concentrating on my degree."
 
 Sarah Hellawell, 22, from Yorkshire is a full time volunteer in Ilford.  After studying for a degree in Social Sciences she decided to get some practical experience through volunteering with CSV before starting employment.  
 
She said, "I applied for some jobs after University but did not have the relevant field experience I needed and could only get roles I wasn't really interested in.  A friend who had volunteered after college suggested I do the same to make better use of my time and I haven't looked back!  I've been supporting four adults with learning difficulties for eight months as a full-time volunteer.  The experience has been invaluable and has led to me being offered a job at Mencap.  I'm thrilled to be starting a job in an area I'm passionate about.  I'm really glad I volunteered and got the chance to meet so many people.  I'll certainly be drawing on my experience in my new role."
 
Robert Line was looking for experience to pursue his ambition to work in the community, perhaps with young offenders or as a social worker.  He finished his degree in History in June 2009 and decided to take a gap year to build on his experience & skills and stand him in better stead of finding employment.
 
"My volunteering experience has been challenging at times, but certainly very positive and I'm really glad I've done it.  It's given me real insight into the type of work I'd like to do and has led to me getting a job helping disadvantaged young people to access University education - something I feel very passionate about.  If I hadn't volunteered I don't think I would have had a chance at getting the job!"
 
Andrew Wilding-Smith, 23, is a full time volunteer with CSV on the Young At Heart project.  He manages intergenerational events to challenge negative stereotypes of different generations.  He tried out PR after graduating from his media degree, but soon decided it wasn't for him and decided to follow an ambition to work with a charity.  He decided volunteering would be useful to build upon his experience for when he seeks employment.

"I'm enjoying using my media skills to help recruit volunteers for projects and also being around lots of people.  There's quite a bit of office based work involved too, which will demonstrate to a future employer that I can stick to the routine and happily work well in that environment.  My volunteering experience will also boost my CV - a year spent in a good quality placement will perhaps stand me in better stead than working in a bar or being on the dole, for the type of work I'm looking to get."
 
For volunteer information and an application pack about gap year volunteering for people aged 16+ call 0800 374 991 or visit the website www.csv.org.uk/gapyear to apply online.
 
For further press information: Jason Tanner 020 7812 0038 / 07941 433 598 jtanner@csv.org.uk or Francesca Toma 020 7812 0037 / 079661 68686 ftoma@csv.org.uk
 

Notes for Editors

1)    CSV (Community Service Volunteers) is the UK’s leading volunteering and training charity and creates opportunities for people to take an active part in the life of their community through volunteering, training and community action.  Each year over 164,000 people give 4.1 million hours of their time as volunteers through CSV.  www.csv.org.uk

2)    Volunteers can start their 4 – 12 month placement at any time during the year.  Full-time volunteers are aged 16-35 years.  Volunteers are given the opportunity to work on exciting projects supporting homeless people, socially excluded people, disabled people and the elderly.  

3)    The CSV survey (2009) was carried out amongst former volunteers. The CSV survey was carried out between 02 March 2009 and 20 March 2009.  The survey interviewed 276 former volunteers, who have volunteered with CSV between 2000 & 2009.