Whilst often associated with volunteering, the third sector employs at least 700,000 workers and this number has grown significantly over time.
This work stream looks at the people, relationships and conditions that define third sector employment, and analyses the implications of these. Working in partnership with
NCVO and
Skills Third Sector, we provide timely statistics on the size and composition of the workforce.
Key Questions
- What attracts people to working in this sector, and what are the implications for their work identities and career trajectories?
- How can we understand the nature of relationship between paid and unpaid work in the sector?
- Are there distinctive ways of managing and running third sector organisations?
Current work
We undertake quantitative analysis of different national surveys to find out about the size, character and experience of employment in the third sector. Through analysis of the Labour Force Survey we are examining the characteristics of those working in the third sector; through the British Household Panel Survey we are looking at job satisfaction; and using the 2006 Skills Survey we are examining the distinctiveness of third sector employment.
Susan Halford and Pauline Leonard are conducting a project to examine ‘Organising the Third Sector: working lives and organisational challenges’.
Research on the role of volunteering in Government welfare to work programmes, as well as the careers and experiences of ‘volunteer managers’ in the sector, is being conducted by Rebecca Taylor
We also propose analysis of other survey data that can shed light on issues relating to the workforce.
Links to other TSRC research
Research planned in this work stream is closely associated with TSRC’s qualitative longitudinal study, ‘Real Times’. The questions and issues emerging here will both inform and be informed by ‘Real Times’. Our work is also closely related to the Service Delivery work stream, in their analysis of third sector delivery of government employment services. We also keep in close contact with other streams to help provide further evidence (including the BME stream).
Research contacts
Stephen McKay – stream lead
Susan Halford
Pauline Leonard
Domenico Moro
Rebecca Taylor
Katie Bruce