Charity works

Etherington: There has never been a better time to get involved

The UK charity sector is growing fast, taking an ever greater role in both campaigning on social issues and delivering services to vulnerable people. After the Second World War, those who wanted to make a difference to communities were likely to become town planners or join the brand new NHS, now socially aware young people are increasingly opting to join the ranks of the paid voluntary sector workforce.

Skilled and experienced staff

With an overall income of over Ł20 billion a year, charities now employ well over half a million staff - one in 50 of the UK workforce.

Charities, social businesses and other not-for-profits need you. The latest employment research, commissioned by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), shows most charities have trouble recruiting, particulary because applicants often lack the necessary skills and experience.

The modern charity needs accountants, lawyers, HR managers, press officers, administrators, researchers and IT staff, so the options for someone with both experience and drive are endless.

Benefits

And a charity career does not necessarily mean accepting poor pay and conditions. In fact, in comparison to the long working hours and low pay experienced by many in the private sector, working for a charity can be well rewarded.

As they become more professional, there have been significant improvements in charity’s employment practices and working conditions. Increasingly, they offer pensions, flexible working arrangements and childcare allowance benefits on a par with, or even better than, the business world.

Closing pay gap

Most significantly, surveys of pay in the sector suggest that the pay gap between charities and other sectors is closing. Small and medium sized organisations, by far the majority of charities, still work with very limited resources. But large household name charities' pay is competitive, from the admin department right up to chief executive.

Most of these types of organisation are in London and the South East which means it can be tougher to find positions in the regions, but this is also beginning to change. Some large charities have even moved their whole operations out of London in recent years.

A smart career move

The number one motivation for working in the voluntary sector is still a belief in the objectives of an organisation. But competitive remuneration packages, the profile of the sector and the professionalisation of its workforce now also makes it a smart career move.

Everyone from school leavers to graduates, civil servants to company directors, should seriously consider an ethical career in our burgeoning not-for-profit sector.

National Council for Voluntary Organisations