West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre has vacancies for children’s workers, starting in January. See poster (below) for details:
Youth Work vacancies at WPNC (1)
For further information and an application pack contact Linda Chandler, Clerical Assistant, West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre, 19 West Pilton Grove, Edinburgh EH4 4BY, telephone 0131 551 3194 or email Linda.Chandler@ea.edin.sch.uk.
Closing date for applications is Friday 19 December.
Young people graduate from PoLHA training programme
Thirty five young people from across Edinburgh have completed an 18 week training programme, with 23 going straight into employment following their training. The young people join almost 500 who have graduated from Port of Leith Housing Association’s (PoLHA) training programme Training Opportunities in Lothian (TOiL).
Among those to graduate at an event at the City Chambers last night (25 Nov) was Magdalena Susfal who said: “I gained a lot of admin skills and got a feel for how it is to work in an office environment. The training was very useful and I enjoyed it. The Excel training was very good and the interview preparation before my Modern Apprenticeship interview helped me get the job.”
The young people were presented with their certificates by co-founder of Social Bite, Alice Thompson, at the ceremony attended by employers, stakeholders of the programme, young people and proud friends and family members.
Alice Thompson said: “The jobs market can be difficult for young people to get in to, but given they are the lifeblood of the economy it’s imperative they are given opportunities. I want to congratulate them on their achievements as they are now on the path to bigger and better things.”
Another trainee graduating was Reece Hunt, 17, who has gone on to work as an electrician with Bemco.
Reece said: “I most enjoyed getting to know new people. It was hands on work which is what I like. I found the training informative and it was very relevant to our age group. The delivery made it interesting.”
Other trainees graduating on November 25 were Matthew Mackie, Chris Singh, Jake Summers, David Reilly, Alex Pennykid, Nathan Moyes, Alex Main, Garry Mitchell, Jordan Bald and Lewis Ewen.
PoLHA’s TOiL programme has been running for eight years and 68 per cent of participants move into sustainable employment, apprenticeships or further education after the six-month placement.
PoLHA Chair Margaret O’Connor, who presided over the graduation’s proceedings said: “TOiL provides valuable work opportunities to young people in Edinburgh with a variety of valued partner organisations. Our trainees have access to support and a holistic approach is used supporting those that need it most.”
Finmeccanica, parent company of Crewe Toll-based Selex ES, has won a multi-million Euro contract to develop radar for the Eurofighter Typhoon. The deal is expected to secure around five hundred jobs in Edinburgh.
The contract, signed yesterday in Edinburgh by the European consortium Eurofighter GmbH andinter-governmental agency NETMA (NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency) to develop the electronically scanned Captor-E radar for the Typhoon, will bring Finmeccanica an order worth more than €400 million.
Finmeccanica will develop, produce and integrate the new radar through its companies Selex ES and Alenia Aermacchi.
“I am particularly proud of the contract signed today”, said Finmeccanica’s CEO and General Manager, Mauro Moretti. “It is further evidence of how the products and services provided by Finmeccanica Group represent cutting edge technological solutions capable of guaranteeing high performance levels in line with the best market standards”.
“The production of the new Captor-E radar will be managed, in the role of project leader of the Euroradar Consortium, by Finmeccanica-Selex ES which, together with Finmeccanica-Alenia Aermacchi, will also jointly integrate it into the aircraft. Today’s signing represents an important step forward towards the future prospects of the Eurofighter programme since the aircraft upgrade will enable it to compete more effectively on international markets”.
Finmeccanica-Selex ES will produce the new radar at its facilities in Edinburgh and Nerviano (Milan) while Finmeccanica-Alenia Aermacchi (Turin site), in the radar integration phase, will be responsible for the navigation systems.
Finmeccanica Group is responsible for over 60% of the electronics on board the Eurofighter Typhoon, roughly 20% of the aerostructures, and for the training and simulation activities for both the four Partner Nations (United Kingdom, Italy, Germany and Spain) and export market customers.
Selex ES – formerly Ferranti – remains one of the biggest employers in North Edinburgh.
‘Members across Scotland say that in their experience you need at least £10 an hour and a full working week to have a decent life free from benefits and tax credits’ – GMB Scotland
GMB Scotland is calling for an increase of £1 per hour towards the GMB Congress target of a living wage of at least £10 per hour.
The items in the trade union’s claim, submitted to Cosla last Friday, are: £1 an hour increase on all hourly rates of pay, consolidation of living wage supplements and the removal of all pay points below the living wage pay level. The next review of pay is 1 April 2015.
GMB Scotland launched the pay campaign with photo calls at ten locations across Scotland, with GMB members employed by Scottish local authorities holding up large replica of a £1 coin
Alex McLuckie, GMB Scotland’s Senior Organiser, said: “GMB is kicking off this campaign for Scottish local council workers to receive a £1 an hour increase on their basic salary from April 2015. This is a step towards the target of a living wage of £10 per hour set by GMB Congress in 2014.
“GMB members across Scotland say that in their experience you need at least £10 an hour and a full working week to have a decent life free from benefits and tax credits. Less than £10 an hour means just existing not living. It means a life of isolation, unable to socialise. It means a life of constant anxiety over paying bills and of borrowing from friends, family and pay day loan sharks just to make ends meet.
“Many of our members provide vital frontline services and while these jobs are crucial to many of Scotland’s councils, the people providing these services are some of the lowest of paid.
“Over the years Scotland’s council workers have either received a minimal pay rise or no pay rise at all. Further to this many GMB members may have suffered a cut in earnings through hours being reduced, while at the same time having their workload increased with staff leaving without being replaced.
“With the reality of low pay and increasing workloads, coupled with the vital services which our members provide for Scotland’s councils, GMB Scotland believe £1 an hour rise on all basic salaries is a way of acknowledging the work done by Scotland’s council workers.”
‘Getting out there and speaking with people is just as important as being online’ – Grahame Smith, Scottish STUC
Technology may have invaded every aspect of our lives, but new research shows a personal touch is still the best when it comes to getting a job.
The 2014 Employer Perspectives Survey, released today by government skills experts the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES), shows that despite the meteoric rise of social media, just 7% of employers say they’ve used it to recruit new staff.
Based on interviews with more than 18,000 employers across the UK, the study reveals that recruitment methods involving the human touch, such as filling vacancies through word of mouth and personal recommendation are still widely used by employers.
Just over one in ten (11%) of employers said they used work experience as a recruitment tool, whilst the number offering a job as a result of a speculative enquiry has more than doubled.
Although the findings may be welcomed by parents who are unconvinced that their offspring’s broadband consumption actually equates to job hunting, the researchers say the findings point to a greater need to hone jobseekers’ social skills.
Grahame Smith, a Commissioner at UKCES and General Secretary of the Scottish TUC said:
Digital skills are crucial in the modern workplace, and while many young people excel in this area, these findings show how important it is for jobseekers to also develop their personal presence. Getting out there and speaking with people is just as important as being online, but it’s more difficult for the digital generation.
That’s why it’s important to break down the barriers between education and employers. By offering simple things like business mentoring, careers talks, work experience and mock interviews, businesses can make a huge difference to the future of young people. Our research shows that whilst only a minority of employers currently work with schools and colleges in this way, the good news is that those that do say it’s easy and rewarding.
Michael Davis, chief executive of UKCES, said:
For those looking for work, making use of social media when job hunting can bring a world of information at the click of a mouse, but when it comes to making that all important first impression it seems there’s no substitute for legwork.
This research shows that what really matters to employers is an opportunity to get face to face with candidates, and get a real understanding of how they tick and what they can offer.
For employers it’s important to not become over-dependent on one form of recruitment. Our research shows that word of mouth is still commonly used to hire staff – but this risks missing out on a huge talent pool just because people don’t happen to be plugged into the right professional networks.
By striking a balance, both sides can benefit. Creating strong links with local education providers is just one way of achieving this, allowing employers to see first-hand what young people can offer, while simultaneously giving young people opportunity to build crucial contacts.
Other findings from the report include:
Just another day at the office, so I thought, when a weel-kent face came in with leaflets for a new ‘SET UP & GO PROGRAMME’ – information on a course designed to support individuals into self–employment/working from home.
Readers of the loved NEN paper will without doubt remember the ‘Where’s Bert?’ feature – it was terrific to see Bert looking so fit and well and still working for the Community.
The course duration is 12 hours per week over 3 days; in a 3 week course.
If you do not have this leaflet and are interested in it, please feel free to pop into Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre where we have the leaflets at the reception desk. ( OOPS did I give the location of Bert away ? Sorry – there will be no prizes for guessing where Bert is now!
For further detail contact Bert on 0758925313 or Lynne 07816786934.
PICTURE: MMCC manager Peter Airlie (left) with Bert and Lynne
James McGinty, Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre
Just another day at the office, so I thought, when a weel-kent face came in with leaflets for a new ‘SET UP & GO PROGRAMME’ – information on a course designed to support individuals into self–employment/working from home.
Readers of the loved NEN paper will without doubt remember the ‘Where’s Bert?’ feature – it was terrific to see Bert looking so fit and well and still working for the Community.
The course duration is 12 hours per week over 3 days; in a 3 week course.
If you do not have this leaflet and are interested in it, please feel free to pop into Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre where we have the leaflets at the reception desk. ( OOPS did I give the location of Bert away ? Sorry – there will be no prizes for guessing where Bert is now!
For further detail contact Bert on 0758925313 or Lynne 07816786934.
PICTURE: MMCC manager Peter Airlie (left) with Bert and Lynne
James McGinty, Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre
Open Day Friday 21 November
An apprenticeship scheme to employ 20 young people in the Scottish Parliament over the next four years has been launched by the Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick.
Successful applicants will have the opportunity to work in a range of areas including Visitor Services, Events, Security, HR and IT.
An Open Day for young people interested in hearing more about the available opportunities will be held in the Parliament on 21 November.
Presiding Officer the Rt HonTricia Marwick MSP said: “The Scottish Parliament is an employer in its own right and we hope to lead by example. This apprenticeship scheme will provide opportunities for young people to build the skills to help them in their future careers. We will offer a range of positions to help build skills and to develop confidence.
“From today, through a dedicated website, young people aged between 16-24 can access details of these opportunities and next month we will be hosting an Open Day at which I hope to welcome young people from across Scotland.”
Clerk and Chief Executive of the Scottish Parliament Paul Grice said: “The Scottish Parliament is a vibrant and modern workplace and we want a workforce that reflects the diversity of Scotland’s population. We know the talent is out there – and we want to see it in the Parliament.
“This scheme provides a great opportunity for young people from all backgrounds to use their different abilities and to develop new skills to help build a successful career. We are always looking for people with initiative to inject different ideas and fresh thinking and, in return, we offer a great organisation where young people can begin their career.
“Young people have much to offer the Parliament and we have much to offer them – a supportive work environment and the first steps on a career path.”
The Parliament piloted a Modern Apprenticeship programme in 2012 and one of the successful applicants, Lynsey Mackay, backed the scheme. She said: “I wasn’t sure what to expect when I applied to the Parliament. But I quickly realised there were lots of different roles here and I was encouraged to experience them.
“Nearly two years on, I now have a vocational qualification and can compete for full-time posts within the Parliament – all thanks to the apprenticeship programme.”
Another apprentice, Tess Schmigylski, said: “Some people might assume that the Parliament is a very dry, boring place to work. Well I can safely say that I’ve enjoyed every minute of my time here – my colleagues have been very supportive and there is always so much going on.
“I feel far more confident now about my life and my career than when I first started and I would encourage any young person who is unsure what they want to do with their life, to find out more about the Parliament’s apprenticeship programme.”
More than a fifth of UK workers earn less than the living wage, according to a new report published today. The KPMG research says that bar and catering staff, care workers and shop assistants are among those most likely to live ‘hand to mouth’ because of low pay.
The report is published on the day new ‘living wage’ rates – the minimum pay rates needed to let workers lead a decent life – are published.
Although the rise sounds modest, in real terms it equates to 147,000 people. The data also belies a worrying trend which sees part-time, female and young workers as the most likely to earn a wage that fails to provide a basic but decent standard of living.
The research, conducted by Markit for KPMG, shows that the proportion of people earning less than £7.65 per hour (or £8.80 in London) is much higher amongst part-time workers. More than 4 in 10 (43 percent) take home less than the Living Wage, compared to 13 percent of full-time employees. Despite accounting for less than one-third of all UK jobs, there are also more part-time roles paying less than the Living Wage (2.98 million) than full-time jobs (2.29 million).
More than forty years after the first Sex Discrimination Act was passed, the research also finds that women are more likely to be paid below the Living Wage than men. This year’s data shows, for example, that 1 in 4 women earn less than the benchmark, compared to 16 percent of men. It’s a figure that has stagnated over the past 12 months. Even where wages have increased, men earning less than the Living Wage have been awarded an average 3 percent increase, compared to 2.7 percent for women.
Although the number of young unemployed continues to fall, it is clear from analysis of the data that younger workers remain the most likely group to be caught in the ‘working poverty’ trap. 72 percent of 18-21 year olds are currently earning less than the Living Wage, compared to just 15 percent of those aged 30-39. In real terms this equates to 1,175,000 employees of traditional university age failing to earn enough to support the purchase of basic necessities.
Mike Kelly, Head of Living Wage at KPMG, says: “Although there are almost 1,000 organisations pledged to pay a Living Wage, far too many UK employees are stuck in the spiral of low pay. With the cost of living still high the squeeze on household finances remains acute, meaning that the reality for many is that they are forced to live hand to mouth.
“Inflation may be easing, but unless wages rise we will continue to see huge swathes of people caught between the desire to contribute to society and the inability to afford to do so. For some time it was easy for businesses to hide behind the argument that increased wages hit their bottom line, but there is ample evidence to suggest the opposite – in the shape of higher retention and higher productivity. It may not be possible for every business, but it is certainly not impossible to explore the feasibility of paying a Living Wage.”
This year’s research also revealed that, during October 2014, almost three times as many people earning less than the Living Wage (29 percent) reported that their household finances worsened over the month, compared to just 10 percent who saw an improvement. The net effect has seen demand for unsecured credit rising, with twice as many people earning below the Living Wage (18 percent) reporting an increase in their need to borrow, compared to just 9 percent who signalled a reduction.
This pressure on finances is also something many people believe will last beyond the short-term. 35 percent of those earning less than the Living Wage expect to see household finances worsen between now and November 2015. 22 percent also report fears over job security – a figure that has remained unchanged, despite improvements to the wider economy.
The Rt Hon Alan Milburn, chair of the Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission said: “This research is further proof that more workers are getting stuck in low paid work with little opportunity for progression.
“It is welcome that the number of accredited Living Wage firms has increased. But far more needs to be done to help millions of people move from low pay to living pay. Employers and government both have a key role to play. With the right leadership Britain can become a Living Wage country over the next decade.”
THE LIVING WAGE: what is it?
The UK ‘living wage’ – an hourly rate based on the amount needed to cover the basic costs of living – has today been raised by 20p to £7.85. The new rate – set by the Living Wage Foundation – is now 21% higher than the compulsory National Minimum Wage, which is currently £6.50 an hour.
The living wage has been adopted by more than 1,000 employers across the country, benefiting 35,000 workers, but business groups have said employers might struggle to pay it. The living wage is currently an informal benchmark, a voluntary option for employers and not a legally enforceable minimum level of pay like the national minimum wage.
The national minimum wage is set by the chancellor each year on the advice of the Low Pay Commission and is enforced by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
The national living wage is currently calculated by the Centre for Research in Social Policy at Loughborough University but the living wage in London has been calculated by the Greater London Authority since 2005. The new rate in London will rise from £8.80 an hour to £9.15, London Mayor Boris Johnson has announced.
