Enabling student employability through volunteering: insights from police volunteers studying professional policing degrees in Wales

Pepper, Ian and rogers, colin and Turner, James and Louis, Nick and Williams, Bronwen (2024) Enabling student employability through volunteering: insights from police volunteers studying professional policing degrees in Wales. Emerald Publishing Limited.

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Abstract

Purpose (limit 100 words) This paper explores perceptions, and provides insights, from students who volunteer in policing whilst also studying the College of Policing licensed professional policing degree (PPD) in Wales. It examines issues that act as enablers and blockers to volunteering in this public service, which also provides opportunities to develop their employability towards the careers to which they aspire. The paper provides insights from students and makes recommendations of interest to multiple stakeholders locally, regionally, nationally and internationally regarding attracting and recruiting volunteers. Design/methodology/approach (limit 100 words) Focus groups were conducted with students at three separate universities in the South and West of Wales. These undergraduate students were volunteers in different police forces and agreed to take part in connection with their experiences. The results were analysed using NVivo to establish commonalities. Findings (limit 100 words) The paper provides empirical insights concerning the issues surrounding the way those undergoing the process for recruitment as volunteers within policing are either hindered (blocked) or assisted (enabled). It identifies specific problematic areas as well as areas which have been of assistance. Policy makers, educators and recruiters should be aware of such blockers and enablers when considering adopting volunteering as an opportunity to enhance student employability. It also has resonance for other forms of volunteering in alternate public services. Research limitations/implications (limit 100 words) This research is limited to those volunteers who are undertaking the licensed PPD at three separate universities in Wales. Although the research adds to the broader evidence-base with regards to volunteering and its use to enhance employability. Practical implications (limit 100 words) The paper includes practical implications for multiple stakeholders including university programme educators, administrators and decision makers in policing with regards to volunteering, employability, programme structures and process management. Originality/value (limit 100 words) The research is based upon the experiences and perceptions of those individuals who are actually engaged in volunteering.

Item Type:	Other
Additional Information:	** Article version: AM ** From Emerald via Jisc Publications Router ** History: received 12-09-2023; rev-recd 02-02-2024; accepted 04-02-2024. ** Licence for AM version of this article: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ** Peer reviewed: TRUE
Uncontrolled Keywords:	University industry collaboration, Volunteering, Work-based learning, Employability
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB2300 Higher Education L Education > LC Special aspects of education > LC5201 Education extension. Adult education. Continuing education
Divisions:	Institutes and Academies > Institute of Management and Health > Business, Finance and Management
SWORD Depositor:	JISC Publications Router
Depositing User:	JISC Publications Router
Date Deposited:	12 Mar 2024 14:17
Last Modified:	12 Mar 2024 14:17
URI:	https://repository.uwtsd.ac.uk/id/eprint/2875

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