Posted 12 Feb 2009

Taking a sabbatical, gap year or even a volunteering abroad programme could help those who feel they are stuck in a rut boost their career and skills, it has been claimed.

Will Snell, head of Skills Venture, has written to employment website Personnel Today about the benefits of taking a sabbatical.

His comments come after accountancy firm KPMG offered its employees the chance to take a sabbatical or cut their hours in a bid to reduce job cuts.

Mr Snell discusses taking a gap year in Kenya and states that a volunteering abroad trip there could give employees "the opportunity to make good use of their enforced break".

He wrote: "In Kenya they will build up professional and interpersonal skills, get a completely new perspective on life and business and gain exposure to a dynamic part of the global economy."

Meanwhile, it was reported today that 80 per cent of KPMG’s UK employees have opted for the offered four-day working week or sabbatical.

Category: Teaching and Learning