Charities have been encouraged to invest in their younger staff as government figures show fewer people under 25 are employed in the sector than in the wider economy.
According to Civil Society’s analysis of estimated figures from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), 5.5% of charity sector employees were under 25 in the year to June 2024, a decline on the year before (6%) and half the proportion in the wider UK economy (11%).
The stats show that charities employed a higher proportion (11%) of people of colour in 2023-24 than the year before (9.5%), but this is still lower than the average across all sectors (15%).
There are more degree-educated people in the charity sector (58%) than in the wider economy (44%), according to the stats.
However, charities employ a higher proportion of women (67%) and disabled staff (24%) than other sectors.
Meanwhile, longer-term analysis published by DCMS last year found that in 2020 upward social mobility was lower in civil society than in the UK overall, with 55% of jobs in the sector held by people from more advantaged backgrounds.
More internships
Responding to the figures, Erica Holt-White, research and policy manager at social mobility charity Sutton Trust said it was “disappointing” to see fewer young people working in the charity sector than elsewhere, and that trend is not improving.
She said: “It is important that the sector offers clear routes into entry level and graduate positions, encouraging young people to start a career in the sector, as we see in many other industries.
“Our research has found that internships offer graduates and other young people an invaluable opportunity to gain hands-on experience, develop key skills and build their networks.
“By offering more paid and publicly advertised internships, the sector could become more attractive for young people exploring their future careers.”
‘We need to shake up the sector’
Roman Dibden, chief executive of youth employment charity RISE UP, said: “As a proximate leader under 30, I see first-hand how the charity sector struggles to attract and retain young talent.
“It’s clear that we need to shake up the sector and create real pathways for young people.
“Since taking over RISE UP last January, we are actively challenging this by focusing on better employment conditions, career progression, and inclusive hiring practices.
“We’ve taken steps such as joining the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter, ensuring that our approach to staff development and workplace culture reflects the support we provide to young people externally.
“We’re also looking at diversifying our income streams to create more sustainable, well-paid roles that encourage young professionals to see the charity sector as a viable long-term career choice.
“The lack of representation in the sector isn’t just about recruitment, it’s about retention, progression, and valuing young voices.
“If we want to futureproof our sector, we need to invest in young talent, rethink traditional hiring models, and offer meaningful opportunities for leadership.”
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