Today, Friday 20 June 2025, marks Employability Day 2025 – an opportunity to showcase the impact of employment support services, with this year’s theme focusing on “Inactivity to Opportunity to Good Work”. Last year, we highlighted the value of the third sector as supportive, diverse, and meaningful environment to start and develop a career – and we feel this new theme compliments this further by showcasing some of our resources which directly support individuals and groups on their journey with employability.

Falkirk’s Third Sector Employability Forum gives third sector groups and organisations in Falkirk District the opportunity to explore, plan and develop how they contribute to the employability agenda in Falkirk, as well as national employability policy. With the most recent meeting discussing how third sector employability activity can contribute to community wealth building, our Employability Forum aims to support inclusive pathways to employability through increasing accessibility to information such as Fair Work First and Living Wage Scotland, as well as highlighting key resources such as Skills Development Scotland in Falkirk, the Falkirk Community Planning Partnership and the Falkirk Plan.

Having considered how groups engage with employability at a broader level, we are pleased to highlight the role Volunteering can play in creating a supported pathway to employment.

In a study by the Royal Voluntary Service from 2021, volunteering was credited with improving job prospects for over half (58%) of the volunteers that took part – rising to 73% amongst the youngest volunteers (16-19 years old). Older volunteers also felt that their job prospects had been enhanced, with 35% of those aged 50+ stating that their employability improved because of their volunteer experience. To read the study in full, please view the ‘Social Mobility: Unleashing the Power of Volunteering’ pdf (linked for your convenience).

Volunteering offers new experiences and opportunities to develop skills such as problem solving, communicating, and working with others which can be transferable to the workplace. Upskilling in these areas can have a transformative effect on people’s confidence, as well as providing great examples for writing CVs and job applications that appeal to perspective employers. There is also the opportunity to try different roles and see what you enjoy, and many organisations will provide references for their volunteers. 

It is also a fun and meaningful way for those in employment to continue their personal and professional development, whilst supporting a great cause.

To find out more about how you can get involved with either Falkirk’s Third Sector Employability Forum, or Volunteering – please visit our dedicated webpages (linked for your convenience).