Wednesday, 11 June 2008
For immediate release
YOU’RE HIRED!
Unsuccessful Apprentice candidates urged to volunteer their business skills overseas
Tonight one of four candidates will be crowned Alan Sugar’s apprentice after twelve gruelling weeks that have seen all but a handful get the chop. But Apprentice wannabes who’ve left the boardroom in tears need not fear their career is in tatters. International Development charity VSO may be able to use their business acumen in some of the world’s poorest countries.
The charity, which sends volunteers to work alongside colleagues in the developing world, desperately needs volunteers with business skills. Over a third of current VSO vacancies are in business, IT or management and the charity is struggling to fill these posts.
VSO spokesperson Amy Stillman says:
“Many people know VSO for jobs in education and health but we’re receiving an increasing number of requests for volunteers with business and management backgrounds. This could be anything from providing financial advice to an HIV and Aids organisation in Malawi to helping a hospital in Mongolia improve its efficiency.
“Our assessment process is as rigorous as Sir Alan’s but as well as looking for business acumen, we look for a wider range of interpersonal skills and qualities which Sir Alan may not place such a high value on. These include flexibility, listening and communication skills.
“We can assure Apprentice candidates who get through our assessment process that the challenge and rewards of being a VSO volunteer will be just as great as being the apprentice and they will learn just as many new skills. We’d be delighted to hear from them. ”
VSO recruits for a wide range of placements that require a multitude of skills and experience from applicants. Should the Apprentice candidates apply, they could fill a number of roles:
Candidate: Lucinda Ledgerwood
Skills: Risk Manager
PossibleVSO placement: Project Management for Housing NGO
Location: Mongolia
Candidate: Lee McQueen
Skills: Recruitment Sales Manager
Possible VSO placement: Project Manager for disability NGO
Location: Kenya
Candidate: Alex Wotherspoon
Skills: Regional Sales Manager
Possible VSO placement: Management Advisor for the Department of Fisheries
Location: Cambodia
Candidate: Claire Young
Skills: Senior Retail Buyer
Possible VSO placement: Small Business Adviser for local crafts
Location: Malawi
Candidate: Helene Speight
Skills: Global Pricing Leader
Possible VSO placement: Market Development Adviser for communities relying on natural resources for income.
Location: Cambodia
Candidate: Raef Bjayou
Skills: Entrepreneur
PossibleVSO placement: Small Business Consultant
Location: Namibia
Ends
For more information contact Bevis Man in the VSO press office on 020 8780 7265 or 07790 628733 or email bevis.man@vso.org.uk
Notes
VSO is the world’s leading independent international development charity that works through volunteers. There are currently 1,500 volunteers working in 34 countries in Africa and Asia. For more information on volunteering opportunities with VSO UK visit www.vso.org.uk
