Training of personnel for non-profit organizations in the context of the implementation of the Service Learning approach in higher education institutions: problem updating

The growing importance of non-profit organizations (NPOs) for the development of a people support system and civic engagement has determined the need to train personnel capable of participating professionally in solving socially significant problems. The work covers updating the professional training of personnel for NPOs in general and socially oriented NPOs in particular in the higher education system based on the Service Learning approach. The introduction of the Service Learning approach into the process of professional training of personnel for NPOs allows integrating training formats, which ensures the development of social responsibility, project thinking and motivation for participation in NPOs in students. The empirical part of the study was carried out during the implementation of the “Service Learning” federal program at the Southern Federal University. Students who were involved in solving social problems from NPOs during the 2024/25 academic year participated in the study. The obtained data allowed confirming (students’ interest in the professionalization of social activities, a steadily formed request for competencies that ensure effective professional activities in NPOs, predominant forms of students’ active participation and involvement in the work of NPOs through practice-oriented training built on the basis of the Service Learning approach) the presence of students’ interest in this sector of the economy and the possibility of building their professional career in NPOs. Based on the identified interest of students in social activities and the request for competencies relevant to the activities of NPOs, the analysis of the obtained results allowed updating the need to implement professional training of personnel for NPOs in the higher education system on the basis of the Service Learning approach.