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By becoming a Skills Across the World (SAW) volunteer you can travel to new destinations, experience different cultures and share your best assets…your skills! I am sure you have many questions, below are some answers. If you have further questions we would be more than happy to answer them. Click on Contact Us and find out the easiest way for you to reach us.
Frequently
Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who
is Skills Across the World (SAW)?
What
are the projects about?
What qualities are you looking for in your volunteers?
Who
will be in my team?
What age do I have to be?
Do you take people from around the world?
Where might I go?
What is the length of time I have to volunteer for?
When is the best time to apply to become a Skills Across
the World (SAW) Volunteer?
Where would I live?
What are the costs involved in going on a Skills Across
the World (SAW) project?
Can I travel after my project?
What can I expect to gain by going on a SAW project?
Will I get to travel within the project country?
What health requirements do I need to consider?
What
about my personal safety?
How
will I communicate with home?
Can I meet any previous volunteers?
If I register my interest, when can I expect to hear from
you?
Who is Skills Across the World (SAW)?
Skills Across the World had its genesis in the Worldskills movement...an organsation that for the past 50 years has conducted international competitions for the best young skilled workers in the world.
In the mid 1990's former competitors when consulted expressed the desire to be challenged further, to develop leadership skills, to have broader international experience and to share their talent and skills .... so the Skills Across the World Movement was formed in collaboration with the Dusseldorp Skills Forum.
In March 1998 the first multinational team led by Glen Brasen from Australia, of five young people arrived in Zimbabe. Six months later - a cross cultural vocational skills exchange project had taken place that greatly enhanced the local primary school facilities, provided skills to seven young people in the community and provided insights and development for the skilled volunteers well beyond their expectations. The progress continues with a small number of projects being conducted each year and the SAW organisation is constantly adapting, learning and challenging itself to provide an experience that benefits all involved. It now includes volunteers outside the Worldskills movement as well.
SAW is administered by the Dusseldorp Skills Forum in Sydney, Australia with strong participation from all around the world and Jack Dusseldorp is presently Chairman of the Worldskills movement.
What are the projects about?SAW projects currently focus on building and construction projects identified by the communities themselves. Most of the communities have nominated education facilities as high on the agenda, so to date, most projects have been involved in building classrooms, latrines and furniture for children in rural, isolated communities. Whilst you will be recruited for your particular skill to compliment a team eg plumbing, bricklaying, teaching, nursing, you will also be required to become involved where necessary in areas which have no direct relevance to your particular trade. At the end of the day, a SAW project is a team effort and will require team work!
The other important thing to remember is that the main essence of a SAW project is "skill transfer". You will not only be working alongside volunteers from around the world but also volunteers from the local community in which you will be staying. Your role is to teach them as much about your trade as you can, so they utilise their new skills and gain employment or continue maintenance on the project after the international team leaves.
What qualities are you looking for in your volunteers?
We are looking for people with a sense of adventure and a desire to experience new cultures. People who are flexible, patient and good communicators who are willing to work in a team with other international volunteers. People who are highly skilled in their particular field, preferably with trade experience (but certainly not exclusively!) and who are willing to teach and share their skills with others. People who may be able to contribute other skills like playing an instrument, skilled in sport, who have worked with kids before or maybe had some teaching experience.
Your team will consist of between 3 —6 members the majority of whom will have a trade background and perhaps also someone who can "value add" the project in another way eg teaching/nursing. It will be made up of different nationalities and your team leader will be there as a guide.
The role of team leader is to act as a facilitater between the team, local community, other Non Government organisations and the SAW office and to manage the project finances. The team leader will be the main point of communication between the team and the office. They will promote and encourage team decision making relating to the project itself and your experience "in country".
We generally take volunteers from 20yrs old upwards. What is important is your work experience, skill level and compatibility to the team.
Do you take people from around the world?
We actively seek people of different nationalities to form SAW teams. We will consider any volunteer, no matter where you are from if you register your interest on our database.
Projects can vary from year to year. In 2003 we will be working in Western Kenya. If you click on the "Latest News" section, it will update you as to where the next project will take place. Projects to date have been in Zimbabwe, Kenya, Liechtenstein and East Timor.
What is the length of time I have to volunteer for?
Generally in our experience, its been of most value to the volunteer, as well as, the community, if a volunteer commits to between 1-4 months depending on project needs. However this can vary from project to project and we would consider someone for shorter or longer period of time subject to team skills and needs.
When is the best time to apply to become a SAW volunteer?
Anytime is a good time, but we generally commence projects in the first half of the year.
Volunteers will be accommodated, along with other team members, as guests of the local community in which they are working. Accommodation is basic, often with no running water or electricity. Team members share the meal preparation, laundry, shopping and the house/camp maintenance and in most instances will be eating local food. They are required to be respectful of the culture of the host community.
What are the costs involved in going on a SAW project?
- An airfare between their residence and project destination
- Visa requirements
- Provide a set of tools for personal use as well as, either 2nd hand tools or donated tools to leave with the local volunteers when you leave
- First aid course
- Vaccinations
- Current passport
Volunteers use various methods to raise the money, either through their WorldSkills organisation, fundraising, utilising local clubs eg Rotary and/or gaining industry support. The possibilities are endless!
Additional costs which are to be negotiated between the volunteer. SAW and other partner support options are:
- $130USD per week allowance for the length of the volunteers involvement on a SAW project
- Travel insurance
If you are interested in volunteering and you are from the WorldSkills network, we would discuss sponsorship options with your member country office.
Can I travel after my project?
Of course. Some people use the opportunity when they are half way around the world, to continue on and do more exploring…this is up to you.
What can I expect to gain from going on a SAW project?
- Network of friends and trade connections from all over the world
- A once in a life time experience where you are not merely passing through a country but are making a serious contribution
- Adventure
- Cultural insight into other peoples way of living (not just from the locals you live with, but also your other team members from around the world!)
- Project planning and coordination skills
- Team work skills
- Pride in yourself, for giving yourself a challenge and setting out to achieve it!
- Local language skills
- Time management
- Teaching skills
- Goal setting skills
- Fundraising skills
- Communication, problem solving and decision making skills
- A unique experience that will set you apart from other candidates applying for the same job if put on your resume
Will I get to travel in the project country?
We encourage teams to have the odd weekend trip to see other parts of the country and this is negotiated through team leaders in country.
What health requirements do I need to consider?
These change from country to country and more specific information will be provided according to your destination. However, all volunteers are required to be fully immunised and we suggest you seek the advice of the nearest Travellers Medical Vaccination centre prior to your departure. Precautions should also be taken against malaria. We also require you to be fit and healthy prior to departure and notify us of any pre existing condition that would put limitations on involvement. Volunteers are required to cover the costs for their vaccinations and medication.
SAW will provide a membership of the emergency evacuation service organisation within the host country if one is available.
What about my personal safety?
- SAW is
extremely conscious of the safety of its volunteers and takes numerous
precautions (over and above issues of health)on their behalf including:
- monitoring the political situation in potential participating countries prior to the commitment of volunteers
- registering all volunteers with their relevant embassies in host countries
- teams develop an evacuation plan as one of their first activities
- the Embassy of the host country in Australia is formally advised of the project and where possible meets team participants
- pre departure information is issued in regard to any sensitive political issues updates are issued if necessary
Unfortunately there is an element of risk in all travel but SAW does all it can to minimise it.
How will I communicate with home?
Mostly you will be several hours from a large centre and will only have the opportunity to make contact with home on a weekly or fortnightly basis. With the internet opening up in most places, email seems to be the most effective means of communication through internet cafes. Mobile phones are becoming more prevalent also, with volunteers buying a local sim card and getting a local line…another possibility!
Can I meet any previous volunteers?
Of course, in fact we encourage it. We will provide contact details for you so you can talk to and/or meet (if possible) someone who has taken part in a SAW project.
If I register my interest, when can I expect to hear from you?
After registering your interest, we will be in touch with you via email to find out more about your and your experience. We will give you more details on what SAW hopes to achieve this year and confirm whether this is of interest to you as well as an indication of when you would like to be involved. We can then you let you know whether your skills and timing are compatible with one of our team. We have a short 15-minute video which illustrates what SAW is all about and we would be happy to send it to you. Remember by registering your interest, you are not making a commitment at this stage but rather, putting your details down to find out more!
Below you can register your details. By doing so you are expressing an interest in the Skills Across the World (SAW) project and there is certainly no other commitment beyond finding out more about us at this stage! So we look forward to hearing more about you, cheers.
