David Wray, deputy chief executive of the National Apprenticeship Service, told the Financial Mail that volunteering abroad can improve skills and contacts; helping travellers gain a broader cultural experience.
He added: "The main thing people need to consider is how time between education and a job can be used most wisely, to put them a step ahead of the competition."
Travel firm i-to-i advises
backpacker travel insurance customers to be selective about how they spend their time abroad as "sipping beers in South East Asia for six months will not be enough to clinch a job offer".
Instead, it suggests boosting teamwork skills through conservation projects, where gappers can also learn to bridge language and cultural divides.
Founded in 1996, i-to-i has since arranged volunteer placements for more than 20,000 young travellers.
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