The voluntary sector operates mainly in areas of social care, housing, health care and education. Both paid staff and volunteers work in the sector. For unemployed people work in the voluntary sector can act as a gateway to further career opportunities.

Organisations in the sector range from small community-based organisations to large charities with thousands of paid staff. There is a distinction between large charities and small or middle sized organisations. Many large charities are becoming more commercial and act like a business. Small and medium sized organisations experienced decreased income.

Employment in the sector has grown since the beginning of the 1990 and further growth is expected. Many organisations experience difficulties in recruiting staff.

About a third of all charities are based in London and the South East. In London, 20% of the total sector paid workforce is concentrated. The sector contributes to about 0.95% to 2.5% of the Yorkshire and Humber GDP. About 4% of the workforce in Suffolk work in the voluntary sector.

National Occupational Standards exist for fundraising and volunteer managers. Further occupations in the sector include advice and community worker, information officer and personnel officer.

Employment in the sector is predominantly female. A relatively high proportion of the workforce is younger than 20 or older than 65. The voluntary sector has a large proportion of disabled workers. About 6% of the paid workers classify themselves as from an ethnic minority.

There is no established career path for getting into the voluntary sector. People wishing to enter employment in the sector often have to be creative about finding opportunities, e.g. volunteering or making speculative applications. VSNTO, the voluntary sector NTO, is currently working with several awarding bodies to develop S/NVQs for the voluntary sector.