The Hub is carrying out a review of the National Occupational Standards of the two disciplines, after receiving funding from the Sector Skills Development Agency to do so. The standards set out the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to undertake tasks in fundraising and volunteer management to a nationally recognised level. First approved in 2003, they must now be updated.

The Workforce Hub is working with the Institute of Fundraising on the review, which will be led by a steering group chaired by NSPCC deputy director of fundraising Tim Hunter.

Carrick Allison, director of professional development at the Institute of Fundraising, said: “This is a golden opportunity for the profession to have direct input into a key document that will greatly assist the future development of fundraising standards through the United Kingdom.”

Janet Fleming, head of the Workforce Hub, said the review into the NOS would enable the Hub to learn how the standards are used, how they contribute to organisations and what the challenges are in using them. “It is essential that NOS are embedded into the recruitment and selection, and training and development practice across the UK voluntary and community sector in order to improve the skills of paid staff, volunteers and trustees,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Governance Hub has commissioned new research into board recruitment services for the third sector. It aims to identify existing strengths, and to highlight areas for potential development. The research will include desk research and interviews with organisations providing board recruitment services, board members and charities.