Derek Casey, Director of the successful Bid for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, will call for volunteering experience in the Games to be recognised with a qualification, in a keynote speech today (Sunday).

He said: “The skills that our 15,000 volunteers will have will vary widely as we expect they will come from every background, from unskilled to professional and from throughout the country. Some people will join us for several weeks, others for just two or three days - and they will have a huge range of experiences and expertise.

“Many volunteers will want to continue to volunteer just for the love of it. However, a qualification will recognise that some volunteers are gaining key skills through being part of the Games. What a great personal legacy.

“The one thing that defined the Bidding Phase was the excellent partnerships between the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council, the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland, the private sector, and a huge number of other organisations. It is vital that we continue that way of working when planning the volunteer force for the Games.

“Having spoken to the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework Partnership and the Scottish Qualifications Authority and a range of other agencies I want to explore the possibility of qualification(s) being available for appropriate volunteers. It is really important to recognise the contribution of the volunteers, whom we have promised the Commonwealth Games Federation will be knowledgeable, capable and well-trained for the Games and for other events beyond 2014.”

Mr Casey will call for organisations to work closely together over the next few months and years on establishing what kind of qualification is appropriate and which skills should be recognised.

The 11-day Commonwealth Games will begin on 23rd July, 2014, and volunteers will be recruited by the Organising Company well in advance. As well as participating in test events such as the Scottish National Swimming Championships (March 2014), during the Games volunteers will be responsible for a wide range of functions from welcoming visitors, transporting officials, helping spectators with tickets and directions, and assisting officials at the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

Mr Casey will address the national seminar of the Scottish Association of Local Sports Council (SALSC) today in Airth.

He added: “We don’t have to re-invent the wheel with the volunteering programme for the Games. There is a huge amount of really good work that has already been done in training volunteers in Scotland and recognising achievement. We should bring that expertise together.”

Aileen Ponton, Chief Executive of the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework Partnership (SCQF), said, "I am delighted that those involved in managing the 2014 Commonwealth Games want to give recognition to the efforts of the many thousands of willing volunteers who will help make these Games successful and memorable. 

“Recognising the value of an individual's learning, skills and knowledge is what the SCQF is all about, and between now and 2014 we and our partners will work towards finding a way to provide tangible on-going benefits to the Games’ volunteers”.

Martin Sime, Director of SCVO, added: “So many good things in Scotland, including amateur sport, are underpinned by the efforts of thousands of volunteers so this seems like an excellent initiative.  

“The Commonwealth Games has the potential to involve and inspire a whole new generation of volunteers and they are every bit as important to the success of the event as paid staff.   I am particularly pleased to see early efforts being made to recognise this contribution and to certify the learning gained.”

George Thomson, the Chief Executive of Volunteer Development Scotland (VDS) also said he would also approve of a qualification.

"Sport and culture is part of our DNA and Scotland will naturally embrace the opportunities of Glasgow 2014. Volunteers will play a vital role in the success and spirit of the Games and it's right that their quality and skills will be recognised with qualifications, along with memories that will last a lifetime".