People encouraged to work in voluntary sector

The London bombings, the South East Asia Tsunami and Live8 have
motivated over half of employees in the commercial sector to
consider working for the charity sector, according to new survey,
writes Maria Ahmed.

The organisers of not-for-profit recruitment event forum3 found
that six out of 10 employees looking for a career change believed
the not-for-profit sector was no longer associated with a
“cardigan brigade” label and offered strong career
prospects.

Three out of four people viewed charities as the
“sexiest” industry, but only three per cent said they
would work for housing associations.

Pay remained the biggest barrier to attracting the best
candidates for 70 per cent of people who took part in the poll of
800 commercial sector workers commissioned by forum3.

Nine out of 10 people said they would consider a career change
to the not-for-profit sector if pay levels were equal.