Voluntary Service Overseas volunteers will now obtain a foundation certificate for their training after Harper Adams University College agreed to accredit two VSO International training courses.
Any future VSO volunteers preparing to go abroad will receive a University College Foundation Certificate in professional skills for international development upon completing VSO’s pre-departure training.
The organisation recruits professionally-skilled volunteers in areas such as education, health and business for placements of between six months and two years. At present there are 1,600 VSO volunteers working in more than 40 countries.
Citizen Service pilot
Young people taking part in VSO’s Global Xchange programme for 18 to 22-year-olds will also be able to gain a University College Foundation Certificate through work placements, structured training, citizenship study days and community action days as part of the government’s International Citizen Service pilot.
Emily Lomax, volunteer journey manager at VSO, said: “Accreditation of volunteer training has been an important step for VSO, in both reflecting the quality of the blended learning programme we already provide and in being able to offer our volunteers a tangible qualification to benefit their future prospects.”
The accreditation was developed by two former VSO volunteers at the specialist agriculture university, Emma Tappin, associate head of rural affairs and environment department and postgraduate programmes manager, and Izzy Warren-Smith, a senior rural economics lecturer.
University of Northampton
Meanwhile the University of Northampton has announced its intention to become the UK’s leading university for social enterprise by integrating social enterprise into teaching and research.
The university has also launched ‘inSpirE Northamptonshire’ with Northamptonshire County Council, social enterprises, businesses and the public sector to provide training, support and development to social enterprises and voluntary organisations.
Professor Nick Petford, vice chancellor of the University, said: “By 2015 we aim to be the top university in the UK for social enterprise.”
