The Difference Between Volunteer Orientation & Training (And Why It Matters)

The VolunteerMatters Podcast

Episode 11 | In this episode, Mark and Sophia clarify the important distinctions between volunteer orientation and training. These two elements often get confused, but each plays a unique role in onboarding, educating, and empowering volunteers.

Key Takeaways:

  • Defining Orientation vs. Training: Orientation focuses on establishing the volunteer’s relationship with the organization, while training equips volunteers with the specific skills needed to safely and effectively perform their roles.
  • Types of Training Needs: Compliance-based training is mandatory for high-risk roles, while competency and enrichment training enhances volunteer skills and deepens their understanding of relevant topics.
  • Choosing Between In-Person and Virtual Training: In-person training is ideal for some situations, virtual training is ideal in other situations – a hybrid approach can often be a great compromise.
  • Tips for Structuring Orientations and Trainings: Discover tangible strategies for  implementing and distinguishing training vs. orientation.

Want a Step-by-Step Guide? Download our PDF guide on Volunteer Training vs. Orientation: https://public.volunteermatters.org/files/podcast/whitepapers/VolunteerMatters_Orientation_vs_Training.pdf

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