Tag: jobs

Coronavirus: Jobs to go as Edinburgh Airport scales back

A consolidation plan to ensure that Edinburgh Airport remains open and operational during the coronavirus outbreak has been put into action. The news comes as the airport management enter talks with staff with a view to shedding at least 100 jobs.

Enforced travel bans across the world have resulted in airlines dramatically reducing their schedules to and from Scotland, directly impacting on passenger numbers at the airport.

There was a small drop in passengers in February with 935,455 passengers passing through the airport, which was 0.4% behind February 2019. However, the airport is predicting a period of zero or close to zero passenger demand.

To protect as many jobs possible and ensure the airport is open throughout, the airport will implement a ‘consolidation’ programme which will also form part of a recovery plan to ensure the airport is ready to return to full operations at the end of the outbreak. This plan includes:

  • Terminal consolidation with certain areas closed and the centralisation of operations
  • Deferring expenditure on some capital projects
  • Powering down high consuming energy items like elements of the baggage system and heating and cooling systems on parts of the airport that are closed
  • A number of retailers and food and beverage outlets suspending operations

Gordon Dewar, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Airport said: “This is an unprecedented time not only for the aviation industry but for everyone as we all do what we can to ensure the health of ourselves and of those around us.

“For us, that includes the health of our airport. Our plan is based on keeping the airport open throughout and being there for those people who are still travelling and those staff members who are making that travel possible.

“We’re in a situation which is ever changing and as more countries enforce travel bans or special measures then it stands to reason that airlines will feel that impact and airports then feel that pain too.

“Unfortunately, that is happening now and we are trying to mitigate as best as we can and steer the airport through this situation in preparation for what comes next – and that is the biggest unknown in all of this.

“The airport is a facilitator of many things, that is our main role. Yes, we transport people around the world but it’s what those people bring that is the true value – they are our inward and outward tourists, they are our business leaders, they are our students and lecturers, they are our scientists and researchers. All of these things are important in the wider Scottish economy and we are doing what we can to ensure we are ready to return towards normal when the time comes.”

The airport has welcomed announcements by the UK and Scottish Governments on financial support for the sector through this situation.

Gordon Dewar added: “We welcome the collaboration there has been with both governments at this critical time but we will need continued support to ensure that the aviation industry is able to play its part in the country’s economic recovery.

“Along with other UK airports, we ask both governments to come together and show unity and support with the industry to help us weather this storm and come out of it still standing and ready to move forward again.”

New career opportunities for employees of industries affected by COVID-19

Common Thread Childcare, providers with homes throughout Scotland, anticipate an additional demand for staff in these unprecedented times and ask those – particularly in the hospitality, entertainment and airline industry with ‘customer facing’ backgrounds – to consider supporting the childcare industry and potentially starting a new career.

Job opportunities exists, particularly in Dumfriesshire, the Central Belt and Invernesshire areas.

Common Thread is a Scotland wide organisation offering a stable and caring environment to those who work with some of the most vulnerable young people in Scotland. Common Thread will be offering flexible working hours to ensure those with families are able to support their own needs.

We will be processing applications, interviewing via video calls and conference calls and screening successful applicants in line with Care Inspectorate expectations as quickly as possible. This will be significantly faster than normal and successful applicants are expected to start working within three weeks.

A bonus system will be in place for those who complete a minimum amount of shifts.  Furthermore, these employees will be prioritised for permanent positions as and when they become available.

Nicola Hewitt, Head of HR said, “We have applied for fast tracking for certification to enable new support staff to join our team. Given the rise in restrictions, we fully anticipate that those in our care will require additional support, and let’s all work together to make this happen.”

Those interested in applying, please apply through the link below:

https://commonthreadgroup.com/join-our-team/

Up to 1,000 Swissport jobs at risk following Flybe collapse

GMB, the aviation union, says up to 1,000 Swissport jobs are now at risk – many of which could be saved if other airlines take on regional routes operated by collapsed airline Flybe.

The baggage handling and ground crew jobs are under threat at Birmingham, East Midlands, Cardiff, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Liverpool and Manchester airports following the collapse of Flybe.

Shadow transport minister Karl Turner this week called on the Government to offer assistance not just to Flybe staff, but all plans to the end must be extended to those not employed by Flybe but are nonetheless affected.

Nadine Houghton, GMB National Officer, said: “Up to 1,000 Swissport jobs are now at risk from Flybe’s collapse – that’s on top of thousands more directly employed and in the wider supply chain.

“But many of these can be saved it airlines who’ve shown interest in taking on regional routes put their money where their mouth is, get on and do it.

“The Government needs to do everything in its power to make the transfer of routes and the saving of jobs as easy and painless as possible.”

Edinburgh Leisure seeks swim teachers

Looking for a new challenge and career? Edinburgh Leisure is on the search for qualified swim teachers to join the biggest sports coaching provider in the city. 

Angela McCowan, Aquatics Development Manager at Edinburgh Leisure explained:  “As the biggest provider of sports coaching across the city, we’re looking for individuals from all walks of life, with a passion for swimming, who want to join us and enthuse children with a key life skill.

Flexible hours are on offer, at various locations across Edinburgh. Also on offer is one of the best rewards packages in the business, with generous pension, holidays, and free membership to all of Edinburgh Leisure venues.

Interested individuals should apply on the Edinburgh Leisure jobs portal by Sunday, 8 March 2020 and be available to attend an assessment centre on Monday, 16 March 2020.

To find out more about being a swim teacher with Edinburgh Leisure:

 https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/work-with-us/swim-teacher-roles

Recruitment Day in Muirhouse

Full time and part time roles available in branches across Lothian

Next Step Edinburgh are teaming up with Semichem and Scotmid for an open morning in Muirhouse this Friday 21 February.

Store Managers will be on hand to talk to prospective candidates about what it is like to work with them. Full time and part time positions are available and the successful applicants will enjoy training, staff benefits and excellent career prospects.

As the event has been organised by Next Step Edinburgh, there is also additional support available including support with CV writing, interview prep and much more.

The event takes place at 9.30 – 11.30am at Pennywell Resource Centre, 31 – 33 Pennywell Road, EH4 4PJ.

If you can’t make that date then there will be another session on Tue 25 February 9:30am – 11:30am at the Recruitment and Skills Centre (RSC) at Fort Kinnaird Shopping Centre.

All welcome – just come along with your CV.

If you have any questions then please contact 

Next Step on 0300 365 0025 info@communityrenewal.org.uk

Barratt East Scotland to recruit seven new apprentices

Leading housebuilder Barratt East Scotland is to recruit seven new apprentices this year as part of its ongoing commitment to tackling the skills shortage in the construction industry.

The new trade apprentice roles, focused on bricklaying (three) and joinery (three), will work across Barratt’s developments in Edinburgh and the surrounding area. Barratt Homes East Scotland will also be recruiting a Level 3 Advanced Apprentice within its technical department.

This year, a total of 158 apprentices will start their careers with Barratt Developments PLC in exciting roles across the UK.

The new apprenticeship announcement comes ahead of the latest National Apprenticeship Week, running from 3 to 7 February, which celebrates the benefits of modern apprenticeships for individuals, businesses and the wider economy.

2020 is seen as a vital year for recruiting new talent into the construction industry as an estimated fifth of the current workforce will have retired by this year; according to data from the 2011 ONS Census which showed that one in five workers were aged over 55.

Skills shortages continue to be cited as a major risk to the growth and success of the construction sector, both in Scotland and across the UK. The latest construction market survey (Q3 2019) from RICS indicated that two in five respondents (41%) believe that a shortage of skilled labour remains a challenge and an obstacle to growth.

Alison Condie, Managing Director for Barratt East Scotland, said: “The construction industry is continuing to grow so there are exciting roles on offer that aren’t possible in other sectors.

“As the UK’s leading five-star housebuilder, we are committed to developing raw talent and giving young people opportunities to forge exciting new careers.”

The new apprentices, who start in the summer, will be based on a housing designated development site and will learn skills in bricklaying, carpentry, joinery or plumbing from experienced tradespeople.

They will also attend their local college to obtain qualifications and develop their trade skills.

All programmes are well structured and tailored to individual needs. Apprentices will receive encouragement, support and guidance to help them develop, giving the skills and qualifications for a successful career.

For further information about the roles available and to apply visit: www.barrattcareers.co.uk

For more information about Barratt Homes visit: www.barratthomes.co.uk.

 

Who Cares? Tory concern over hard to fill job vacancies

The Care Inspectorate and Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) published new figures on the levels of staff vacancies in Scotland’s social care services yesterday.

Edinburgh has the highest percentage, 57%, of services reporting that vacancies are hard to fill and almost half of posts unfilled 49%.

West Lothian, Midlothian and Edinburgh have all shown an increase in the number of vacancy rates with East Lothian dropping slightly to 32%. 

Latest figures show West Lothian had 78 vacancies, 35%, Midlothian had 47 vacancies, 40%, and Edinburgh had the highest number of vacancies in Scotland 334, 49%.

Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said: “This report highlights the ongoing challenges of recruitment in Social Care and is another example of SNP Ministers’ terrible record on workforce planning.

“The continued high rate of vacancies for social care makes if very difficult to see improvement to services.

“Issues such as delayed discharge in hospitals and shortages in adult care homes are not going to be fixed until recruitment of staff is resolved.

“Edinburgh and the Lothians have particularly high vacancies for Social Care staff and have higher than average services struggling to fill posts.”

The report comes as the Scottish Government launches a new campaign to promote careers in adult social care ‘There’s More To Care Than Caring’.

The staff vacancies report provides a national overview of vacancy levels and recruitment difficulties reported by care services registered with the Care Inspectorate. It also includes data on the actual number of vacancies services have, which is held by the SSSC.

In the past year, 38% of services reported having vacancies, which is unchanged from the previous year.

However, care homes for adults, care homes for older people, housing support services, care at home services, nurse agencies and residential special schools all had a proportion of services with vacancies significantly above the national average for all care services.

Daycare of children and adoption services were significantly below the national average for all care services reporting vacancies.

At 31 December 2018, the rate of WTE vacancies for all services in Scotland was 5.5%, down from 5.9% in 2017. This was higher than the overall vacancy rate across all establishments in Scotland of 3.1%.

Lorraine Gray, Chief Executive of the SSSC said: “A vital consideration when looking at vacancies in care services is making sure that social care attracts people with the right values, skills and experience to work in the sector.

“We’ve worked with Scottish Government on the adult social care recruitment campaign, launched today, which aims not only to encourage more people to consider a career in care but also emphasises the values you need.

“The social service workforce is growing, there are more than 200,000 people working in the sector, which is almost 8% of all employment in Scotland, so there are lots of opportunities and different types of roles.

“It’s a fulfilling and rewarding career which gives you the opportunity to work towards qualifications as part of a professional workforce making a positive difference to people’s lives.”

Peter Macleod, chief executive of the Care Inspectorate said: “We know that an effective and stable staff team is important for providing the world class care everyone wants to see.

“It allows trusting relationships to be developed between people providing and experiencing care, often supporting positive experiences and outcomes.

“The Care Inspectorate recognises that recruitment and retention into some parts of the social care sector remains a challenge, and we collect significant data about the places and parts of the sector where recruitment problems are more challenging.

“This report has been prepared to provide a national overview of the vacancy levels and recruitment difficulties reported by care services in their Care Inspectorate annual returns.

“We know, of course, that numbers do not tell the whole story. The skills, experiences, and values of social care staff are just as critical as the right number of staff being employed.

“However, going forward we expect to see more innovative solutions embraced by care providers and commissioners, as well as increased partnership working between social care services, local authorities and other key partners to ensure that the underlying issues around filling problem vacancies can be addressed.”

Every care service is asked to complete an annual return every year to provide statistical and other information. The vacancy questions are asked for every care service type apart from childminders, who are typically sole providers.

Staff vacancies in care services 2018

Jobs for life are a thing of the past

A job for life is a thing of the past, a new survey had revealed, with people now moving job roles more frequently than ever before.

In Scotland, 64 per cent of those surveyed agreed that a job for life was something they no longer expected, with only 15 per cent in the region having stayed working in a role for more than 10 years. Continue reading Jobs for life are a thing of the past

Fishing for a new career?

Edinburgh Leisure on the search for qualified swim teachers

 If your New Year’s resolution was to look for a new challenge and career then Edinburgh Leisure is on the search for qualified swim teachers to join the biggest sports coaching provider in the city. Continue reading Fishing for a new career?