Get Me Off The Dole » Hot Topics

Job seekers can now search and apply for positions from any location

Brian — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 15:18:20 +0000

CareerBuilder UK has recently launched a new free "Jobs" iPhone application that enables job seekers to search and apply for jobs from virtually anywhere. Using the iPhone's built-in geolocation technology, the CareerBuilder application "Jobs by CB" automatically determines the location of the job seeker and then allows them to find a job using a simple keyword search. iPhone users can even apply for positions directly through the CareerBuilder application.

Councils Collaborate to Launch New Jobs Portals

Brian — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 09:42:49 +0000

Councils in three English regions are collaborating to advertise jobs on the internet through new regional recruitment portals.

“In difficult economic times we are collaborating to make finding employment in the public sector as easy as possible. NorthEastJobs helps job seekers and keeps recruitment costs down”

Cash for jobs in Scotland

Brian — Wed, 26 May 2010 08:32:30 +0000

European funding of more than £4.7 million is being invested in initiatives to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and the creation of 580 new jobs across Scotland.

On a visit to life sciences company Biopta, First Minister Alex Salmond said that the new allocations from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) will strengthen Scotland's economic recovery by investing in programmes that offer advice and assistance to new and small businesses across Scotland.

Read more on Cash for jobs in Scotland…

Matching apprentices with employers

Brian — Fri, 21 May 2010 06:42:19 +0000

A college in Oxford is helping to reduce unemployment in the county thanks to an innovative approach to finding jobs for students and the long-term unemployed.

Oxford and Cherwell Valley College’s Jobfinder scheme is matching its own apprentices with employers and helping to find jobs for those out of work who have received training from the college, especially so for those out of work for more than six months. This is thanks to funding from the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS).

British Gas opens UK’s first Green Skills Training Centre

Brian — Thu, 20 May 2010 20:24:44 +0000

The British Gas Green Skills Training Centre in Tredegar, South Wales, has been officially opened by Carwyn Jones, First Minister of Wales.

The centre is a first for the UK and aims to train over 1,300 people each year, including local long term unemployed people. The Heads of the Valleys has the lowest employment rate in Wales – 64 per cent, compared with 71 per cent nationally.

A Budget For Jobs And Growth, Demands Federation Of Master Builders

Brian — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 09:49:14 +0000

Investment in job creation and construction must be the top priorities for the Chancellor of the Exchequer as he prepares for his last Budget before the General Election, demands the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

Skynet 5D to create around 100 new jobs

Brian — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:05:46 +0000

Military communications on operations are to further enhanced, thanks to a new £400 million contract to use a new satellite, the Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, Quentin Davies, announced today.

ICT courses ‘should be chosen with care’

Brian — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 10:49:06 +0000

Many people will find themselves in search of a new direction at the moment, whether they have become a victim of the recession or simply want to pursue a different career.

There are inevitably some areas which are in need of talent more than others – and the IT sector is one example. With the digital age in full swing, there has perhaps been no better time to become competent in the industry.

A recent study conducted by e-skills UK showed that regardless of the recession, employment in the country's technology industries has continued to increase.

It estimates that around one in 18 people now work in the sector, with the IT and Telecoms professional workforce growing at twice the UK average over the past eight years alone.

However, those who are interested in taking this direction will find numerous IT training course providers vying for their attention. And it can be hard to differentiate between the good and the bad.

There are a number of top tips which potential students need to consider before signing up to a course, as learning new skills involves a high level of commitment.

Firstly, anyone thinking of enrolling needs to look into the company's history – does it have a good reputation? What are other people saying about it? Perhaps looking beyond the firm's PR material is a good idea, as the most accurate reflection of what it has to offer comes from the consumers.

Another key area worth considering is whether or not the training course provider will give you the opportunity to work flexibly. Let's face it, few of us have the time to sit and study for hours on end, seven days a week. By opting for a training programme with a bit of leniency, this stress is removed and you can get on with gaining your qualifications.

As with any challenge, it is worth assessing the likelihood of success. Therefore it is worth getting in touch with an IT training course provider to ask what their first-time pass rate is. Figures speak volumes, remember, so this can be a crucial tool in working out where to send your business.

Cost is bound to be a consideration for many a candidate. Some companies will provide more for your money than others, so think about looking into whether examination fees and course materials are included.

Accreditation is an important part of the selection process; going to a company which has the relevant certificates and affiliations will no doubt offer you peace of mind. Some of the main endorsements people need to be on the look out for include the Institute of IT Training and the Personally Funded Training Accreditation scheme.

So, you've got your qualification from a reputed provider – now what? Having IT skills and the certificates to prove it is all well and good, but you will only reap the rewards once you have a career to really show what you can do.

Having an IT training provider which leaves you high and dry once you've completed the course is not likely to be on anyone's agenda. Therefore it is worth considering whether your chosen course offers a job search support service. Some may even have companies they are involved with who will take new recruits on board, which offers great opportunities to those with their newly-acquired IT skills.

The e-skills survey found that around 140,000 new entrants to the profession are required each year and that a lack of applicants for the positions with the required skills, qualifications or experience is a major problem for many employers.

It would seem that there are opportunities aplenty for people to make the most of after undertaking their training qualifications, it's just a case of knowing where to start looking.

The key to being successful in embarking on a course is doing your homework first. Becoming involved with a company which has all the right credentials will pay dividends in the future in more ways than one.

Torbay Business Hub to create 1000 new jobs

Brian — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 06:53:37 +0000

Residents and traders are being asked for their views on a £6.8m plan to create new, state of the art offices in Torquay to help attract investment into the Bay and hundreds of jobs.

Torbay Business Hub is part of the Castle Circus Regeneration Project, which aims to regenerate the town centre, bring council services under one roof and create major savings.

Torbay Council has now organised a public consultation event to display and explain plans to develop offices on part of the car park behind the Town Hall. Visitors will be asked for their feedback at the event, which will be held on Tuesday 2 March in Torquay Town Hall's Assembly Hall between 1pm and 6.30pm. Information will also be available on Torbay Council's website from Tuesday 23 February.

The council has approved the business case for the Castle Circus Regeneration Project and has already consulted on this proposal. The business case shows that by completing the project the council will save over £1 million a year. Feedback on the project as a whole has been mainly positive and this is another opportunity for residents to express their views, specifically on plans for new offices, before the planning application is submitted.

The Business Hub will create approximately 40,000 square feet of new office space and car parking. It aims to attract more businesses and inward investment to Torbay as well as create a 1000 new jobs. It is envisaged that the opportunities will be felt Bay-wide as associated businesses and suppliers feel the benefit of new, inward investment.

The project has been designed with flexibility in mind so that it will appeal to a variety of office users. A number of sustainable design features have been incorporated, including maximising the use of natural lighting; natural ventilation; solar collectors and a bio-mass boiler which utilises fuels from sustainable sources. If planning consent is granted, work could start later this year.

Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Councillor Chris Lewis, said:

How rewarding is a career in social care?

Brian — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:54:52 +0000

A new TV advertising campaign that shows how rewarding a career in social care can be and urges individuals to consider this as a career option, kicks off this week.

Over 1.5 million people are employed across the adult social care sector in England, and as many as 200,000 jobs in the sector are expected to be advertised in the coming year, based on existing trends. The campaign will encourage the next generation of social care workers.