Media Release: Jobs boom for Scotland’s ‘third sector’

SCOTLAND’S voluntary and charity sector has recorded the highest year-on-year growth in job vacancies, according to Scotland’s vacancy largest recruitment platform.

Research from s1jobs has shown that jobs advertised in the fundraising and voluntary sector jumped by a remarkable 75 per cent between 2012-2013.

The findings place the fundraising and voluntary sector as the fastest growing industry in Scotland in terms of year-on-year percentage rises in jobs advertised on s1jobs.

The figures support the findings from the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) who recently reported that Scotland’s ‘third sector’ has now grown to become a £4.9 billion industry.

Income has doubled over the past decade – and rose by £300 million in 2013 alone.

The SCVO further highlighted that there were approximately 20,000 registered charitable organisations active in Scotland.

Gavin Mochan, head of Sales at s1jobs, said the research demonstrates the increasingly important role the voluntary and fundraising sector has in Scotland.

He said: “The results put the voluntary and fundraising sector way ahead in terms of being Scotland’s fastest growing industry, based on year-on-year percentage gains.

“It outstrips the architecture sector in second place, which recorded a 51% jump.

“Deeper analysis would be needed to determine the exact reasons for the jump in vacancies, but it does seem certain that cuts in public sector funding have seen a consequent upward growth in third sector organisations and the role they play in Scottish society.”

John Downie, director of Public Affairs at SCVO, said the role of the third sector in Scotland has vastly expanded.

He added: “The third sector is growing and spending more than ever to help people bearing the brunt of a bleak economy, public funding cuts and growing poverty and inequality.

“We clearly have a strong third sector in Scotland, which is taking on an even more vital role in society and has the confidence to invest in innovative approaches to tackling Scotland’s biggest social challenges.

“Larger charities and foundations are seeing the majority of income growth, while average growth across the sector stands at 0.8 per cent despite a tough economic climate.

“Charities are investing to meet increased demand for their services and plan for the future.”

s1jobs is Scotland’s No. 1 recruitment platform, attracting more than 600,000 users every month and is used by more than 2,000 companies, including Scotland’s top five plcs.

Its latest research shows that while certain sectors are growing faster than others, Scotland, overall, is moving at pace to recover from the recession with new jobs flooding into the market.

The number of jobs advertised on the s1jobs site in May was at its highest levels since February 2009.

S1 also operates websites in the property (s1homes), entertainment listings (s1play) and automotive (s1cars) markets.

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Contact: Ross Stebbing

Email: ross@holyroodpr.co.uk
Website: http://www.holyroodpr.co.uk