Credit crunch good news for ethical jobs in public sector
A good place to start looking for an ethical job, or get a foothold in an environmental career, is the public sector. In October, JuicyJobs.biz set about busting a few myths about the public sector; it is no longer true that public sector jobs are poorly paid, dull, and have no prospects for career progression. It would seem that the public sector is a viable place to get ahead in your career these days. Now, as the effects of the credit crunch are being felt, new research suggests that the bright graduates who were previously attracted to positions in the cut-throat world of finance and business are now heading for careers in the public sector instead, boosting the skills and qualifications resources within the sector.
Research released by the Higher Education Careers Services Unit (HECSU) reveal that, due to the economic recession, young graduates are moving away from what are traditionally seen as high flying jobs in finance to more ethical careers in the public sector.
The report from HECSU says that in 2007, the number of people entering social care and related careers rose from 4,765 in 2004 to 6,135. In health too, the number of new graduates entering the sector has risen by almost 9% between 2004 and 2007.
Deputy director of research at HECSU Charlie Ball told TimesOnline.co.uk: “The graduates in this survey would have been well aware of what was going on in the economy. Now the situation is much more serious.” He added that he expected more graduates to head into the public sector instead of finance and industry as the recession wears on.
Salaries in the public sector are now only 0.1% lower than in the private sector. They also have the best pension schemes available, far superior to many in the private sector, and there is much more job security in the public sector.
Here at JuicyJobs.biz, we have reported before on the benefits of working within the public sector. In a survey of public sector employees, the majority of respondents said that they enjoyed reasonable salaries, job satisfaction, security, good prospects for career progression, and the added bonus of feeling that they were contributing to society in general through working in an ethical job. If you are interested in a public sector job, your local borough or county council is your first port of call. A volunteering job with your local authority, in social care, youth work or environment, is a great way to make contacts and learn more about how the sector works. Additionally, keep checking JuicyJobs.biz for public sector career opportunities.
