The Scottish voluntary sector is in the depths of a recruitment crisis, according to a new report by the Scottish Centre for Employment Research (SCER).

It found that despite the fact the sector employs five per cent of all Scots, nearly half of voluntary organisations are suffering recruitment difficulties mainly due to misconceptions among potential employees who consider the work to be badly paid and offer limited scope to develop new skills.

The SCER’s Dr Dennis Nickson said this could have severe repercussions on the sector. “The sector faces stiff competition from the public and private sector, particularly for management and frontline care employees,” he said. “Fewer young people are also being attracted to work in the voluntary sector, with graduate recruitment a particular problem. The skills gap will lessen the sector’s capacity to reach targets, establish new projects and meet quality standards.”