Organisations in the third sector could gain expertise from the private sector if the economic downturn continues.

According to third-sector skills supplier PrimeTimers, during periods of executive cutbacks, an increasing number of private-sector employees look to change their career direction and move into the charity and voluntary sector.

Mary Chadwick, director of PrimeTimers, said: "We predict people will see this period as an opportunity for personal development and reinvention. Many senior business executives and professionals [who have been made redundant] will take a few months out and then use the opportunity of a shake-out to reinvent themselves and engage in a role where they can contribute to society."

This comes as Forum 3, the UK's largest third sector  recruitment event. Deborah Hockham, director of Forum 3, told Human Resources: "We have had have had our highest ever number of advance bookings from the event and this year we have had the biggest number of people from the city registering to come."