People and skills
If you're working, or have previously worked, in IT then you probably have the skills needed to volunteer with iT4Communities. However, you also need to have sufficient experience in a working environment. Please read on for details.
IT professionals
British Computer Society
BCS Code of Conduct
Volunteering for students
Not sure if you're suitable?
If you've any queries about your skills or experience please contact us
iT4Communities volunteers are expected to be experienced IT professionals. This means that charities can be confident that the volunteer they work with will have the skills they need.
An IT professional should have:
- At least three year's technical experience in a working environment, or
- A relevant professional qualification and at least one year's technical experience in a working environment
An IT professional should be willing to follow the guidelines imposed by the BCS Code of Conduct and Code of Good Practice.
However, he or she doesn't need to be a member of the BCS.
Student volunteering
Volunteering with iT4Communities isn't usually suitable for students, unless they already have experience as an IT professional.
The organisations supported by iT4Communities are generally small charities and volunteer groups. They need help from professionals with hands-on technical and organisational experience. If you are a student without that experience there are other options you can consider:
- Ask your tutor or lecturer to act as mentor and the initial contact for iT4Communities volunteering
- Volunteer through an organisation suitable for students
Once you've gained more experience we'll be happy to welcome you as a volunteer.
Skills required
Thank you very much for you for finding an experienced and qualified volunteer with a lots of interpersonal skills to help us to create our web page, it will help a lot of socially disadvantaged people.
Helping Hands for Refugees and Disabled on volunteer John Brookes
Charities and other voluntary organisations need all the same IT skills as commercial organisations. They want to have a nice website, to organise their data in an efficient way and have their PCs networked. They want to plan their IT needs for the future and they want their staff to have IT training.
So whatever your IT skills there will be an organisation who can benefit from your help.
The difference may be in the culture of working with voluntary organisations and in working on your own rather than as part of a team. But, don't worry, we're here to help with any problems.
