Volunteers participate in a range of training activities aimed at increasing skills and knowledge so that they are better equiped to fulfill the needs of their roles. Historically however, much of this training has not been acknowledged in a formal academic sense. It is recognised that much of this training adds up to various elements of education which is often encompassed in a more formal educational program.

In 2005/06, the Office for Volunteers, Volunteering SA&NT and TAFE SA formed a partnership to look at strategies which would enable volunteers to undertake training and receive national recognition of their learning.

The twelve most popular subjects were chosen through a consultation process with the volunteer sector. These subjects have subsequently been developed into nationally accredited training courses and course materials (including trainer and learner guides).

The Courses can be used in two ways, either as training materials for community organisations to enhance the skills of their volunteers, or as a pathway to gain formal recognition of learning when delivered by a Registered Training Organisation.

Volunteers who participate in the recognition of learning process can utilise this as credit towards further studies in Volunteer Management at the tertiary level. Please note that most Registered Training Organisations will charge a fee to deliver this training.

Each program is available as a free download:

• Be An Effective Volunteer
• Customer Service
• Engaging Generation Y
• Introduction to Mentoring
• Volunteering With The Frail Aged
• Working In Teams
• Developing Grant Applications
• Introduction to Effective Communication
• Introduction to Marketing
• Volunteers and Paid Staff
• Introduction to Governance
• Introduction to Risk Management