More than 2,000 jobs will be created with Social Security Scotland over the next 12 months, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced.
Recruitment will start in October for staff to support the delivery of benefits due to be introduced next year, including the Adult Disability Payment – the Scottish Government’s replacement for the Personal Independence Payment.
The majority of the new roles will be based in Social Security Scotland’s Dundee head office and Glasgow, to take calls from clients and process applications for Scottish benefits.
The remainder will be based across the country to provide face-to-face advice for people applying in the way that would suit them best, whether that is online, by phone, by post or in person.
The First Minister said: “Social security is a human right and a collective investment in the people of this country now and for future generations.
“These roles come at a critical time in Scotland’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and our investment will go beyond the money that we will pay in benefits. When we have introduced all our new benefits and moved clients from the DWP to Social Security Scotland, our new social security service will employ more than 3,500 people. This will provide secure, long-term employment in Dundee, Glasgow and across the country and deliver a positive economic impact of £280 million for our economy.
“We are committed to creating a diverse workforce to provide this public service. Having people from a wide range of backgrounds will help deliver the best service and ensure that we do things differently and treat people with dignity, fairness and respect.”
Social Security Scotland’s Chief Executive David Wallace said: “Social Security Scotland opened its doors in September 2018, and we are already delivering 11 benefits – seven of which are brand new. We know that our clients value our service as we have a 90% satisfaction rating.
“As we welcome more than 2,000 additional staff to deliver new benefits and a high-quality service, we are committed to increasing diversity in the organisation so we reflect the clients we are here to serve and their lived experience.
“We are delighted to be able to create more jobs in Glasgow and to our head office in Dundee and I look forward to welcoming colleagues into Agnes Husband House in 2022.
“We are a Living Wage, Disability Confident and Carer Positive employer. We proudly support the Fair Start Scotland programme and have committed to offering 100 roles as part of Young Persons Guarantee in 2021/22.”
People can find the latest vacancies and sign up for job alerts at:
Disabled people are to benefit from a ground-breaking new advocacy service which will support access to Scotland’s social security services.
The Scottish Government has committed £20.4 million over the next four years to the provision of the new and free programme, unique in the UK.
It will offer advocacy support to disabled people looking to access Scottish social security benefits.
These include current and future disability benefits such as Child Disability Payment, Adult Disability Payment and Pension Age Disability Payment.
The service will be operational in the new year and is entirely independent of the Scottish Government and Social Security Scotland. It will be available in each NHS board area and will create up to 100 new jobs across the country.
Social Security Minister Ben Macpherson said: “The service will provide advocacy to anyone who is disabled and requires support to communicate their needs when accessing Scotland’s social security services.
“This assistance will be person-centred and advocates will provide the most appropriate form of support to each individual based on their circumstances.
“This is a new and independent free service, with no equivalent provided by DWP.
“It builds on our human rights-based approach and makes social security more accessible to disabled people in Scotland, ensuring their voices are heard.”
VoiceAbility, a charity with 40 years’ experience delivering advocacy services, has been awarded the contract to provide the service.
They will establish a new base and training centre in Glasgow and create up to 100 jobs over the four years. There will be at least one advocate in each NHS area at launch, with more jobs to be created as disability benefits are introduced.
VoiceAbility CEO Jonathan Senker said: “We are proud to launch this new independent advocacy service and we look forward to establishing a base in Scotland and taking on the staff to deliver it.
“The advocacy we provide will support disabled people to make sure their voices are heard when it matters most and that more people will get the support they’re entitled to.”
Brian Scott of the Glasgow Disability Alliance added: “Our members have highlighted the barriers that many disabled people face in accessing support to find out about the social security benefits they are entitled to – and to apply for them.
“We welcome this free advocacy service as it will ensure disabled people are more involved in the processes and decisions which affect them.
“In making social security more accessible to disabled people, it shows real evidence of a rights-based approach to providing services.”
“With the recovery well underway, and more than 1 million job vacancies posted, now is the right time for the scheme to draw to a close” – Chancellor Rishi Sunak
Chancellor hails Scottish workers as UK Government’s Plan for Jobs package enters the next stage
As furlough winds down flagship schemes such as the super-deduction and Kickstart scheme continue to support jobs and businesses
Rishi Sunak calls on Scottish firms to take advantage of ongoing support during a visit to a Legal and General modular homes factory and housing site in … Yorkshire!
The Chancellor will today (30th September) praise Scottish workers’ ongoing resilience as the government moves to the next phase of its Plan for Jobs, part of a £400bn support package for the economy.
The change comes as latest figures show more employees on payrolls than before the pandemic, underlying wages increasing strongly and the OECD predicting the UK to see the fastest growth in the G7 this year and next.
Having protected over 910,000 jobs in Scotland during the toughest times of the pandemic, the furlough scheme closes today after gradually winding down as the economy began to recover. With the majority of Covid restrictions removed and the economy open again, the government is focused on investing in jobs and skills.
The UK Government’s Plan for Jobs will carry on helping to fuel the economy’s bounce-back by supporting employers across the UK to create new jobs and workers to boost their skills.
The UK Government has also provided the Scottish Government with an additional £14.5 billion in funding since the start of the pandemic.
During a visit to Legal and General’s modular factory in Yorkshire, the Chancellor will ‘double-down’ on his call for firms across the UK to make the most of billions in further support on offer, including the super-deduction – the biggest business tax break in modern British history – and the Kickstart Scheme which offers fully-funded jobs to young people.
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak said: “I am immensely proud of the furlough scheme, and even more proud of the determination and resilience of Scottish workers and businesses through the pandemic. With the recovery well underway, and more than 1 million job vacancies posted, now is the right time for the scheme to draw to a close.
“But that in no way means the end of the UK Government’s support in Scotland. Our Plan for Jobs is helping people into work and making sure they have the skills needed for the jobs of the future.”
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said:“From day one of the pandemic, the UK Government put in place an unprecedented package of support. The strength of the UK Treasury has protected the livelihoods of nearly a million Scots, providing certainty for many during extremely difficult times.
“Thanks to the successful UK vaccine programme, businesses are trading once again, and the furlough scheme is winding up.
“Our focus now must be on recovering our economy, investing in Scotland’s communities, and getting people into work though our Plan For Jobs.”
Whilst some other countries ended their economy-wide support schemes earlier in the year, the UK’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and Self-employment Income Support Scheme continued into the Autumn.
Over 18 months on from its launch and with over £68 billion spent on the scheme, today marks the final day of the furlough scheme which has been instrumental in protecting workers and incomes from the worst of the crisis.
The Resolution Foundation said this week that the furlough scheme has “prevented catastrophic rises in unemployment”, and there are now almost 2 million fewer people forecast to be out of work than was feared at the height of the pandemic.
While emergency support draws to a close, the UK Government says it will continue to maximise employment across the country, create high quality, productive jobs, and deliver the skills that people, businesses and the economy need to thrive.
Today, the Chancellor will visit Legal and General’s modular homes factory and housing development in Yorkshire to see some of the Plan for Jobs in action. The super-deduction has allowed them to expand their factory capacity and has supported over 1900 across the UK, including 400 new jobs.
The Chancellor will meet employees including an employee who has secured a placement with Legal and General through the Kickstart scheme.
Amazon creates highly skilled jobs for Scotland across a wide range of professions, from software developers and product managers, to machine learning specialists
Job-seekers encouraged to take advantage of Amazon Career Day, one of the biggest free virtual training and recruiting events in the UK
Amazon, which has a development centre in Edinburgh and currently employs over 2,500 people in Scotland, is hiring for 100 tech and corporate jobs locally.
The majority of roles are for highly skilled jobs across a wide range of professions, from software developers and machine learning specialists, to applied sciences and product managers. Edinburgh was Amazon’s first research and development centre outside of North America and it has a well-earned reputation as a global centre for innovation, software engineering and machine learning.
Graeme Smith, Managing Director, Amazon Development Centre Scotland (ACDS), (above) said: “These highly skilled jobs join our incredibly talented teams in Scotland and provide exciting opportunities for those who want to be at the cutting edge of global technology.
“Our employees benefit hundreds of millions of customers around the world by focusing on personalised shopping recommendations, digital advertising and research and development.”
Amazon has more than 2,500 employees in Scotland – across the Amazon Development Centre in Edinburgh, fulfilment centres in Dunfermline and Gourock, as well as the Prime Now site in Glasgow, Customer Service Centre in Edinburgh and delivery stations in Edinburgh, Dundee, Bathgate, Aberdeen, Baillieston and Motherwell.
Job-seekers who are looking for a new role or to transition to a different career – at Amazon or at another company – are also being encouraged to participate in Amazon Career Day on Thursday 16 September, a free virtual training and recruiting event.
The day will give attendees the opportunity to participate in one of the 3,000 one-to-one career coaching sessions with Amazon recruiters to help participants land their next job and view livestreamed sessions with Amazon employees and industry experts.
People can register at amazoncareerday.com, where Amazon Career Day content will be available to view on demand for one month after the event.
The initiative takes place in the context of new research from Amazon, surveying 1,000 professional (employed and unemployed) adults in the UK in August 2021, highlighting:
· 21% of UK professionals are actively searching for a new job
· A further 38% of UK professionals are interested in finding a new job, but not actively looking
· Among employed adults in the UK, 29% say the COVID-19 pandemic has caused them to reconsider their career paths
· 42% of active UK job-seeking adults are interested in pursuing opportunities in industries they do not currently have experience in
· 78% of professionals in the UK say they want more job training/resources
“We are working hard every day to be the best place for people to have satisfying and fulfilling long-term careers,” said Amazon CEO Andy Jassy.
“Amazon continues to grow quickly and relentlessly invent across many areas, and we’re hoping that Career Day gives job seekers the support they need to learn new skills or reimagine their careers at Amazon or elsewhere.
“Whether you’re looking to start your first job, to gain new skills, or thinking of a completely fresh start in a new field, we have thousands of exciting opportunities available right across the UK,”said John Boumphrey, Amazon UK Country Manager.
“We created Career Day to provide free guidance, coaching and inspiration to anyone who wants to develop their career, whether that’s with Amazon or somewhere else.
“Whether you see your long term future at Amazon or elsewhere, we provide a wide range of training and development opportunities to take your career to the next level.”
Career Day attendees will have the opportunity to hear from Amazon employees including gaming, robotics, AI and sustainability experts, as well as colleagues who have joined Amazon on fully-funded apprenticeships. Each will reveal what they do, what their career path was, and what it’s like working at Amazon.
Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce will also be hosting a panel about apprenticeships at Amazon and opportunities for people of all ages and skill levels to diversify and progress their careers.
Amazon now employs over 55,000 employees across the UK. All Amazon jobs come with competitive pay and benefits, whether they are based in a fulfilment centre or in a corporate office.
For hourly workers, pay starts at a minimum of £10.00 p/h. Amazon employees work in some of the most advanced workplaces of their kind in the world, with a comprehensive benefits package including private medical insurance, life assurance, income protection and an employee discount, which combined are worth more than £700 annually, as well as a company pension plan.
This year, Amazon has created 10,000 new permanent jobs and 1,000 new fully-funded apprenticeship roles.
For employees who see Amazon as a stepping stone to a future career outside of Amazon, it has also created a pioneering Career Choice programme, through which Amazon pre-pays up to 95% of tuition fees for nationally recognised courses, ranging from accountancy to HGV driving and software development.
Up to £8,000 of tuition fees over four years is available through the programme. Amazon is partnering with the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and local businesses on the programme to identify regional skills shortages and focus training on local demand – this will help meet the UK’s future employment needs outside of Amazon.
Almost 300 additional ambulance service staff are being recruited through a £20 million Scottish Government funding injection made over last year and this year as the NHS continues to remobilise.
The latest recruitment tranche unveiled today will see dozens of paramedics, technicians, patient transport staff and advanced professionals taken on in the North and North-east of Scotland.
Additional ambulances and low acuity resources will also be introduced as part of the new resources to help meet current and projected patient needs through the Demand and Capacity programme.
A total of 296 additional ambulance service staff are being recruited as a result of investment over the past two years.
The Scottish Government has allocated £20 million as part of the £1 billion NHS recovery plan published last week. This resource will be directed to those areas of Scotland most under pressure including northern parts of the country.
Chief Executive of the Scottish Ambulance Service Pauline Howie said: “This funding is great news for the Service and is allowing us to continue to increase our investment in new frontline staff, new ambulances and new vehicles at pace.
“These new resources will ensure we continue to deliver the very best patient care by boosting capacity and increasing our resilience in communities across Scotland. They’ll also complement our dedicated staff who have worked tirelessly over the last 18 months in extremely demanding circumstances.
“The reduction in on-call working will also improve the work/life balance of staff in the north of Scotland, as well as providing increased cover for the respective areas. Additional stations where on-call working will also be eliminated or reduced are currently being identified.”
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “Our ambulance staff have been at the heart of the response to the Coronavirus pandemic and we all owe them a huge debt of gratitude for their courage, commitment and professionalism.
“These additional resources show that this Government is determined to ensure they have the support needed to meet patient demand as the NHS continues to remobilise.
“Our recent recovery plan targeted over £1 billion of investment over the next five years across the whole health system to increase capacity and ensure the health service is ready for the challenges ahead.
“Investment in support for staff and their wellbeing will be an essential and vital component of our recovery and the reduction of on-call working for ambulance staff will help with this.”
NEW POLLING reveals the extent to which low-paid workers have borne the brunt of the pandemic
NEW POLLING reveals the extent to which low-paid workers have borne the brunt of the pandemic
TUC analysis shows three industries furthest away from recovery are all low-paid and have highest rates of furlough use
TUC warns the end of furlough and Universal Credit cut will be a hammer blow for low-paid workers
Union body says without an economic reset post-pandemic the government’s levelling up agenda will be “doomed to failure”
The coronavirus crisis has been “a tale of two pandemics”, the TUC said today as it calls for an urgent “economic reset” to tackle the huge class divide in Britain that has been exposed by the pandemic.
The call comes as the union body publishes new polling which shows how low-income workers have borne the brunt of the pandemic with little or no option to work from home, no or low sick pay and reduced living standards, while better-off workers have enjoyed greater flexibility with work, financial stability and increased spending power.
Pandemic class divide
New TUC polling, conducted by Britain Thinks, has revealed the extent of the pandemic class divide with the high-paid more financially comfortable than before, while the low-paid have been thrust into financial difficulty:
Low-paid workers (those earning less than £15,000) are almost twice as likely as high-paid workers (those earning more than £50,000) to say they have cut back on spending since the pandemic began (28 per cent compared to 16 per cent)
High earners are more than three times likely than low-paid workers to expect to receive a pay rise in the next 12 months (37 per cent compared to 12 per cent).
This Covid class divide isn’t just apparent on personal finances. The polling also shows how low-paid workers are markedly more likely to get low or no sick pay compared to higher earners:
Low-paid workers are four times more likely than high-paid workers to say they cannot afford to take time off work when sick (24 per cent compared to six per cent).
Only a third (35 per cent) of low-paid workers say they get full pay when off sick compared to an overwhelming majority of high-paid workers (80 per cent)
The TUC has long been calling for an increase to statutory sick pay, which stands at a derisory £96.35 a week, and from which more than two million low-paid workers – mostly women – are currently excluded because they do not earn enough to qualify.
The union body recently criticised the government decision to “abandon” these two million workers by failing to expand eligibility of sick pay, as they had previously promised.
This lack of decent sick pay is compounded by the fact that low-paid workers are more than three times more likely than high-paid workers to say they their job means they can only work outside the home (74 per cent compared to 20 per cent).
This means that low-paid workers face greater risk of contracting the virus at work, and when ill, often face the impossible choice of doing the right thing but losing income or keeping full pay but potentially spreading the virus.
Low-paid industries lag
New TUC analysis shows that the three industries furthest away from a jobs recovery – arts and entertainment, accommodation and food and ‘other services’ – are all ‘low paid’ industries.
These are also the three industries with the highest furlough rates according to HMRC stats, and three of the highest according to most recent ONS estimate.
The end of furlough poses a serious threat to low-paid jobs in these industries – and combined with the “senseless” Universal Credit cut – will be a hammer blow for low-paid workers and push many further into hardship, the union body says.
Time for an economic reset
The TUC says its analysis and poll findings paint a picture of stark inequality in the UK, which has been further entrenched through the coronavirus crisis, and show that the country needs an urgent “economic reset” post-pandemic.
The union body warns that without such a reset, the government’s levelling up agenda will be “doomed to failure” as ministers risk repeating the same mistakes which followed the financial crisis, allowing insecure work to spiral even further.
To prevent unnecessary hardship in the coming months, the TUC is calling on the government to:
Extend the furlough scheme for as long as is needed to protect jobs and livelihoods and put in place a permanent short-time working scheme to protect workers at times of economic change
Cancel the planned £20 cut to Universal Credit
And as part of a post-pandemic reset, the TUC says ministers must:
Ban zero hours contracts
Raise the minimum wage immediately to at least £10
Increase statutory sick pay to a real Living Wage and make it available to all
Introduce new rights for workers to bargain for better pay and conditions through their unions
TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Everyone deserves dignity at work and a job they can build a life on. But too many working people – often key workers – are struggling to pay the bills and put food on the table.
“It has been a tale of two pandemics. This Covid class divide has seen low-paid workers bear the brunt of the pandemic, while the better off have enjoyed greater financial security, often getting richer.
“This should be a wake up call – we need an economic reset. It’s time for a new age of dignity and security at work.
“Without fundamental change, the government’s own levelling up agenda will be doomed to failure. And we risk repeating the same old mistakes of the past decade – allowing insecure work to spiral even further.
“Ministers must start by banning zero-hours contracts, raising the minimum wage with immediate effect and increasing statutory sick pay to a real Living Wage, making it available to all.
“And we know that the best way for workers to win better pay and conditions at work is through their union.”
On the risk to low-paid workers this autumn, Frances said: “The imminent end to the furlough scheme and cut to Universal Credit this autumn will be a hammer blow for low-paid workers and could plunge millions into hardship, many of whom are already teetering on the edge.
“The government must reverse its senseless decision to cut Universal Credit and extend the furlough scheme for as long as is needed to protect jobs and livelihoods.”
SP Energy Networks has launched a recruitment drive for 152 green jobs to help support multi-billion pound network investment
Roles in engineering, construction, sustainability, analysis, safety, environmental planning available with the majority, 135, based in Central and Southern Scotland
These green jobs will be at the forefront of the transformation of the electricity network in the region and vital to delivering Net Zero
SP Energy Networks has launched its largest recruitment drive this century with 152 green jobs on offer over the next four months. The news was announced this morning as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon visited SP Energy Networks’ training centre, Dealain House, to announce the New Green Jobs Workforce Academy.
The 152 green jobs will be at the forefront of work to enhance the electricity network to enable the rapid uptake of renewables and low carbon technologies needed to help Scotland and the wider UK reach its Net Zero target.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:“To help tackle climate change Scotland is already investing in green skills and attracting new green job opportunities. It is great to see ScottishPower creating 135 new green jobs in Scotland and I would encourage other employers to follow their lead.
“The Academy’s career advisors stand ready to support individuals interested in these jobs access the right training to help their career progress.
“Looking ahead to COP26 in Glasgow in November, Scotland can be proud that our climate change ambitions, backed by investment in creating a highly skilled green workforce, will be showcased on an international stage.”
In the year when Glasgow hosts the UN’s climate change summit, COP26, the Glasgow headquartered company is pleased to be able to offer such a diverse range of green opportunities.
Frank Mitchell, CEO of SP Energy Networks, explains more:“With less than 100 days to go to COP26 in Glasgow, we’re bringing truly green jobs to Scotland to support the country with its ambitions to be Net Zero by 2045.
“These roles offer a variety of career opportunities in a company that is committed to Net Zero and is investing millions of pounds every single day to help bring about a cleaner, greener future.”
The majority of roles will be based in Central and Southern Scotland where SP Energy Networks is responsible for the operation and maintenance of over 4,000km of cables and lines that make up the transmission network. This network connects generation infrastructure like windfarms into the electricity system and transports that electricity onto towns and cities.
Over the next five years, SP Energy Networks is investing £2 billion in its transmission network to support the increase in renewable energy needed to meet Scotland’s climate change targets and to ensure a resilient and reliant network fit for the future as electricity demand grows.
To help deliver this investment, SP Energy Networks is recruiting 126 candidates who will work across a number of major projects to build a transmission network fit for Net Zero.
This increases the staff employed in SP Energy Networks Transmission business by over 25% and is on top of the 135 apprentices and graduates across SP Energy Networks who started this year.
An additional 26 positions will be recruited into SP Energy Networks Distribution business to accelerate projects that support Net Zero ambitions.
These posts offer long-term, skilled roles across varying disciplines including engineering, project management, construction, environmental planning and sustainability.
Frank adds: “We currently directly employ around 2,700 staff and over the next 12 months we are embarking on our largest recruitment drive in over 20 years. This demonstrates the scale of work we’re about to begin, investing billions in our network to help the UK reach its climate change targets.
“In our transmission business alone, we’re investing £2bn out to 2026 and we’re only just beginning. We also have very ambitious plans for our distribution businesses, and if our plans are agreed with Ofgem, we will be expanding these new 152 roles considerably.
“The opportunities we have range from Planning Engineers to Programme Analysts to Project Managers and offer long-term, green jobs that will be right at the heart of the transition to Net Zero through a green economic recovery.
“We’re about to start work on a number of major projects critical to helping Scotland achieve its climate ambitions and you could be part of it. I would encourage anyone with an interest to come forward and see if a career with SP Energy Networks is for you.”
Further information on the roles available can be found here:
HR & Recruitment had the biggest bounce back in jobs compared to July last year
Job opportunities in HR & Recruitment swelled to more than triple the average increase for all sectors
The Transport/ Logistics/ Warehouse industry saw the second highest increase
The HR & Recruitment industry has seen the greatest increase in job opportunities over the past year, new research has revealed.
The study, conducted by advertising experts N.Rich, analysed official job advertisement data from the ONS and Adzuna, comparing the year-on-year increase in job ads across 29 different industries between July 2020 and July 2021.
Results indicated that HR & Recruitment boasts an annual increase of 544% jobs advertised – more than three times the average increase for all UK industries (171%).
The Transport / Logistics / Warehouse industry has seen the second highest increase in job opportunities, with a 437% annual increase.
Rounding out the top three of highest annual increase of jobs advertised via Adzuna job boards were those for the Catering/ Hospitality industry, with a 425% improvement compared to the same date last year.
Other industries starting to recover include Manufacturing, which has a 420% annual increase in job adverts, putting it in fourth place. Fifth place belongs to the Marketing/ Advertising/ PR industry, with an annual increase in job adverts of 359%.
The lower half of the Top 10 features industries such as Management/ Exec/ Consulting industry (357% annual increase), Constructions/Trades (352%), and Admin/ Clerical/ Secretarial jobs (329% increase). Rounding off the top 10 are the Sales and Wholesale/Retail industries, with increases in job adverts of 292% and 290% respectively.
At the other end of the scale, Healthcare and Social Care saw the lowest increase in openings, going up by just 29% compared to a year previously, while Education also saw a relatively small rise of 52%.
Year-on-year comparison of job adverts across UK by industry – top 10, July 2020 – July 2021
Industry
Year-on-Year percentage increase
1. HR and Recruitment
544.94%
2. Transport/ Logistics/ Warehouse
437.74%
3. Catering and Hospitality
425.21%
4. Manufacturing
420.93%
5. Marketing/ Advertising/ PR
359.00%
6. Management/ Exec/ Consulting
357.13%
7. Construction/ Trades
352.44%
8. Admin/ Clerical/ Secretarial
329.41%
9. Sales
292.32%
10. Wholesale and Retail
290.53%
Average across all industries
171.8%
In addition, the study analysed how job opportunities have changed across the UK’s regions, with the East of England seeing an increase of 242% when comparing the week commencing 16 July 2021 with the same week in 2020.
In second place is the North East with a 223% increase in job adverts, while third place belongs to the West Midlands with a 210% increase in jobs advertised.
London has seen the lowest increase in job opportunities by region compared to July last year, at 134%. North West comes in behind at 167%, followed by the South East with a 168% increase in job adverts.
Year-on-year comparison of job adverts across UK by region, July 2020 – July 2021
UK Region
Year-on-Year percentage increase
1. East of England
242.1%
2. North East
223.2%
3. West Midlands
210.9%
4. East Midlands
205.7%
5. Yorkshire and The Humber
194%
6. South West
171.8%
7. South East
168.7%
8, North West
167.5%
9. London
134.2%
All Regions
171.8%
Year-on-year comparison of job adverts across UK by country, July 2020 – July 2021
UK Region
Year-on-Year percentage increase
1. Northern Ireland
232.5%
2. Wales
180.6%
3. England
176.2%
4. Scotland
159.9%
A spokesperson for N.Rich said, “It is exciting to see that a number of industries are recovering after a gruelling couple of years. It just goes to show that – despite fears of an economic downturn post lockdown – the UK job market remains resilient and robust.”
The study was conducted by N.Rich, which offers a rich array of intent data and ad inventory that enable marketers to drive awareness and lead generation effectively.
People struggling to secure or retain permanent employment can access free support delivered by trained advisers.
The national employment service Fair Start Scotland provides personalised and tailored support to those who have struggled to find and stay in work due to their personal circumstances. This may include caring commitments, health conditions or disabilities or other challenges caused by long-term unemployment.
A new marketing campaign has launched to ensure more people can access advice and support, including those who may be finding it more difficult to secure and retain employment as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Employment and Fair Work Minister Richard Lochhead said: “We know that for some people finding work can be a difficult process. The Scottish Government’s Fair Start Scotland service provides people with practical support and advice which is tailored to the needs of the individual.
“Centred around dignity and respect, the service is there to help those who are having difficulty finding employment.
“The pandemic has created greater uncertainty in the labour market and that is why we want to reassure people across the country that expert support and assistance is there for them. Since launching in 2018 more than 32,500 have accessed advice and support from this service and now we want to reach even more people who could benefit.”
Rachel Walker, aged 26 from Carluke, was referred to Fair Start Scotland in March 2021. The advice and support she received helped her secure an administrative role with Capability Scotland.
Ms Walker said: “The support I received through Fair Start Scotland has been first class. My key worker helped build my confidence and encouraged me to take the right steps back into employment.
“As someone who is blind I had limited pathways into work, however, Scott always kept me upbeat, and I have recently secured a role with Capability Scotland. I am over the moon and I would recommend the service to anyone looking to move back into work.”
The city council is to launch a recruitment drive to boost the Capital’s schools with scores of new permanent teaching and pupil support roles available.
Adverts will go live in the coming weeks offering permanent positions for around 70 teachers and approximately 30 pupil support assistants to work in schools across Edinburgh as the city continues to recover from the pandemic.
Councillor Ian Perry, Education Convener, said: “We know all teaching staff have been under enormous pressure during the pandemic and this extra funding is extremely welcome.
“I’m really pleased to say that we can push forward and use this much needed funding now so anyone interested should look out for our adverts to recruit for around 70 additional teachers and approximately 30 pupil support assistants in permanent roles in the coming weeks.
Councillor Alison Dickie, Education Vice Convener, said: “There’s no greater opportunity than helping to make a direct difference to the lives of our children and young people, and our teachers and pupil support assistants do that every day.
“After what has been the most stressful of times, this is a chance for us to employ more staff to work with our amazing and resilient pupils across Edinburgh, and to support the very best of educational and life outcomes for them.”
The jobs will be advertised through myjobcotland and the Council looks forward to welcoming the new recruits to their new school communities during the 2021/22 academic year.
