Volunteering to build experience and references

Volunteering means giving your time, without pay, to a charity, community group, or public organization. For people looking for their first job, it is one of the best ways to get real experience.

Employers hiring for entry-level jobs want to know that you show up, work well with others, and treat people kindly. Volunteering lets you prove all three.

We checked these facts on October 12, 2026. Follow the links for the latest details.

Why volunteering helps you get hired

Real tasks. You might serve people, sort and stock items, set up events, or handle money at a fundraiser. These are the same skills stores, cafés, and warehouses need.
Proof that you are reliable. Showing up every week for months tells an employer a lot.
References. Ontario's government notes that volunteer supervisors can be strong references when you apply for jobs (Ontario). Read References when you have no work experience.
Confidence. You get used to talking with customers, coworkers, and supervisors.
For newcomers: A chance to practise English, learn how Canadian workplaces work, and meet people in your new community.

Choose a role that builds job skills

Pick volunteer work that matches the job you want.

If you want a job in...	Try volunteering at...	Skills you build
Grocery or warehouse	A food bank or community food program	Sorting, stocking, lifting safely, teamwork
Retail or cashier	A charity thrift store or fundraiser	Customer service, handling money, setting up displays
Food service or kitchen	A community kitchen or meal program	Food prep, cleaning, working fast
Customer service	A community centre front desk, library, or festival	Greeting people, answering questions, staying calm
Camps or recreation	Community recreation programs	Leadership, patience, safety

A regular role, like one shift a week for a few months, helps more than many one-day events. Your supervisor gets to know you, and you have more to say in an interview.

Where to find volunteer roles

Metro Vancouver

Volunteer Now. Volunteer BC runs a database of volunteer opportunities from its member and partner organizations. A Volunteer Now account is free for volunteers, and you can filter by location, type, and interest (Volunteer Now).
Local volunteer centres. Volunteer BC lists volunteer centres around the province, including ones that serve Vancouver, Richmond, the Tri-Cities, the North Shore, and Langley (volunteer centre network).
Close to home. Ask at your community centre, public library, food bank, or place of worship. Many need weekly help.

Greater Toronto Area

City of Toronto. The city lists volunteer programs in areas like parks and trees, animals, arts and culture, and community recreation (Volunteer with the City). To volunteer in Community Recreation, you must be at least 14, and the hours can count toward Ontario's 40 volunteer hours (Community Recreation).
Mississauga, Brampton, and Caledon. Volunteer MBC has a search tool for local volunteer opportunities (Volunteer MBC).
Other GTA cities. Check your city's website, library, and community centres. Many cities and regions have their own volunteer centre.

Canada-wide

The Canada Service Corps is a federal program that offers volunteer opportunities for young people. It is open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and youth with granted refugee status. Check the page for the current age range and openings (Canada Service Corps).

Ontario's high school volunteer hours

If you are in high school in Ontario, you need 40 hours of community involvement (volunteering) to get your high school diploma (Ontario).

You can start collecting hours in the summer before Grade 9.
Your principal reviews and approves your planned and completed activities. Check your school board's rules for recording your hours.
If you are under 18, your parent or guardian must sign your record of volunteer hours.

Some activities don't count. These include anything that is a requirement of a class or program (like co-op), activities during school hours (lunch and spare periods are okay), work that would normally be paid, and chores at home.

If you go beyond 40 hours, you can earn a Minister's Certificate of Recognition: Bronze for 50 to 99 hours, Silver for 100 to 199 hours, and Gold for 200 hours or more (Ontario).

Volunteering is not unpaid work for a business

Real volunteering is for a charity, non-profit, or community group. Be careful if a business asks you to "volunteer" doing the same work its paid staff do. That is usually a job, and you should be paid.

BC: Anyone an employer allows to do work normally done by an employee is an employee under the Employment Standards Act. Internships are generally treated as work, and training the employer requires must be paid (BC Employment Standards definitions).
Ontario: Volunteers are not employees under the Employment Standards Act. But calling someone a "volunteer" or "intern" doesn't decide it. Ontario looks at how much the business benefits from your work. Employers are not allowed to treat employees as if they are not employees (Employee status).

How to list volunteering on your resume

Ontario suggests adding a "Volunteer Experience" section with the organization, your role, and the dates. Then describe what you did and what you learned, like teamwork or leadership (Ontario).

Start each point with an action word. Be specific, and keep it true. For example:

Volunteer Experience

Food Bank Volunteer, (organization name), September 2025 to now

Sort and shelve donated food during weekly Saturday shifts

Greet families and help them find items

Train new volunteers on how to sort donations

In interviews, use your volunteering for questions like "Tell me about a time you worked on a team." Our guide Writing your first resume with no work experience shows a full example.

Tips to get the most from it

Treat it like a job. Be on time. If you can't come, tell your supervisor early.
Keep a log. Write down your dates, hours, and tasks. It makes your resume easier to write.
Expect some paperwork. Some roles, especially with children or seniors, need a police check. This can take time, so start early. The City of Toronto, for example, warns that some police checks can take several months (Community Recreation).
Ask for a reference before you finish. Ask your supervisor if you can list them, and save their contact details.
Say thank you. A kind word when you leave keeps the door open.

Next steps

Turn your volunteering into a resume: Writing your first resume with no work experience
Teens: check the rules in Working at 15, 16 or 17 in BC and Ontario
Ready for a paid job? Browse entry-level jobs in Metro Vancouver and the Greater Toronto Area