Scottish Business in the Community, the Prince’s charitable organisation that helps businesses to make positive impacts on their community is calling on every business in Scotland to provide their staff with time to help unlock the nation’s talent.

SBC says employee volunteering is the most cost-effective and valuable way for companies to invest in their employees’ skills, with the added benefit of developing young talent and enterprise in their communities.

Friday 5th of June is Give and Gain Day, the UK’s biggest employee volunteering event organised by SBC parent organisation Business in the Community. Over 3600 employees from over 180 companies have signed up from across the UK give time and skills to schools and community groups.

In Scotland over a hundred employees from 12 companies in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee will take young people on behind the scenes tours of their organisation and give tips on applying for jobs, to tackle barriers to employment. Companies taking part include Shepherd Wedderburn, British Gas, Institute of Chartered Accountants, Riverclyde and Scottish Power.

Jane Wood Chief Executive at SBC said, “It is only employers that can give young people this real experience of the world of work. In such a tough job market young people need a helping hand. Businesses are in the best position to give them an insight into employment. No amount of charitable giving can buy that.”

“It makes good business sense too. Give and Gain means volunteering time works both ways. Giving time and skills is more effective for businesses than charitable giving. They get a lot out of it including more motivated staff with better leadership skills and better relationships with their community.”

SBC organise projects for businesses to get involved with young people all year round. Employees can volunteer to do pupil mentoring, interview and CV writing skills, work with school managers, or host worksite visits



Notes to editors


1.Photos available
2.More than 3,600 employees throughout the United Kingdom will volunteer a day of their time and skills for Business in the Community’s Give & Gain Day 2009.
3.Give & Gain Day is Business in the Community’s national day of action for employee volunteers, who will give their time and skills to community projects in over 40 cities and towns throughout the UK.
4.Give & Gain Day is taking place on 5 June 2009 during Volunteers’ Week – which is celebrating its 25th year and will focus on rewarding, recognising and recruiting volunteers.
5.For more information on employee volunteering opportunities or to sign up for next year’s Give and Gain day visit the website www.sbcscot.com