Public and Third (or Voluntary) Sector Careers

This 10-week, 20-hour, course introduces learners to career opportunities in the public and voluntary sectors in the UK and Wales.

It covers sector structures, roles, legislation, skills, recruitment processes, and practical application support.

1. Introduction to Public and Voluntary Sector Careers
2. Roles, Career Pathways, and Sector Principles
3. Skills and Competencies for Sector Success
4. Recruitment and Application Processes
5. Volunteering and Work Experience
6. Diversity, Inclusion and Ethics
7. Sector Challenges and Future Trends
8. Planning Your Career Path
9. CV Writing and Application Workshop

Learning and teaching

1. Describe the structure, roles, and values of public and voluntary sector organisations in the UK and Wales.
2. Understand key legislation and principles that guide ethical and inclusive practice within these sectors.
3. Identify and develop relevant skills and experience, including through volunteering and work placements.
4. Navigate recruitment processes confidently, including writing tailored CVs and personal statements.
5. Create a personal career action plan with clear goals and next steps for entering or progressing in the sector.

Coursework and assessment

Type of assessment	% Contribution	Title
Summative	50	Completed learner workbook
Summative	50	Final CV and personal statement submission.
Formative		Participation in mock application exercise in class.

Reading suggestions

• Milbourne, L. (2013) – Voluntary Sector in Transition: Hard Times or New Opportunities?
  Explores the reshaping of the UK voluntary sector amid welfare outsourcing and governance reforms.
  Oxford Academic
• Lapworth, L. (2014) – The Motivation of Voluntary Sector Employees: Public Service Motivation
  PhD thesis examining values and motivations in voluntary sector careers.
  Oxford Brookes University
• Kanar, A. et al. (2025) – Enhancing Career Development Through Skill Acquisition Among Volunteers
  Research on soft and hard skills developed through volunteering.
  VOLUNTAS Journal
• Welsh Government (2025) – Employer Skills Survey: Charity and Voluntary Sector Summary for Wales
  Identifies skills gaps, hard-to-fill vacancies, and workforce development needs.
  Download PDF
• WCVA & Futurice (2021) – Voluntary Sector Futures: Co-Designing a Vision for Wales 2030
  Strategic foresight report on the future of the voluntary sector in Wales.

Library and computing facilities

As a student on this course you are entitled to join and use the University’s library and computing facilities. Find out more about using these facilities.

Accessibility

Our aim is access for all. We aim to provide a confidential advice and support service for any student with a long term medical condition, disability or specific learning difficulty. We are able to offer one-to-one advice about disability, pre-enrolment visits, liaison with tutors and co-ordinating lecturers, material in alternative formats, arrangements for accessible courses, assessment arrangements, loan equipment and dyslexia screening.