Tag: management

Calls to protect Edinburgh volunteers as community engagement grows

As new research from The National Lottery Community Fund [1] reveals a growing enthusiasm for volunteering among UK adults, Ansvar Insurance is calling on charities and organisations across Edinburgh to prioritise the safety and management of their volunteer programmes.

The research indicates that half of UK adults (a slight increase on last year) plan to volunteer in 2024, with 14% intending to volunteer for the first time, citing food banks, animal welfare, and charity shops as the most popular initiatives to get involved with.

In Edinburgh specifically (according to the latest data from the Scottish Household Survey [2]), 19% of residents volunteered in 2022.

The benefits of volunteering, such as providing young people with new life skills and reducing loneliness among the elderly, have become increasingly recognised, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic.

While a growing number of  volunteers is a positive development for charities, it also presents challenges in managing safety and risk.

Proper risk management is crucial not only for attracting volunteers but also for retaining them and maintaining the organisation’s reputation.

Kelly Barter, Head of Customer Service at Ansvar, an expert provider of insurance for the charity, not-for-profit, care and faith sectors, commented: “Volunteers are the backbone of charitable and community organisations and play a pivotal role in sustaining vital services across Edinburgh.

“However, ensuring their safety and protection is essential. When planning events, the focus is often on activities and fundraising, but the administrative aspects, such as providing adequate supervision, organising appropriate training, completing comprehensive risk assessments, ensuring specialist insurance coverage is in place, and providing a safe environment for volunteers, can sometimes get overlooked.

“Effective risk management protects volunteers and enhances their satisfaction and retention. Volunteers are more likely to stay engaged when they feel safe and valued, leading to a positive and long-lasting experience.”

Ansvar is part of the Benefact Group, the charity-owned specialist financial services organisation. The Benefact Group stands as the UK’s third-largest corporate donor, reinforcing Ansvar’s commitment to supporting the broader charitable community.

[1] https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/insights/2023-24-community-research-index

[2] https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-household-survey-2022-key-findings/pages/10/

Hospitality expert endorses industry as lasting career option

A SENIOR figure in Edinburgh’s hospitality scene is sharing how the industry can provide a long-term career path, citing how she wants to shake up how jobs in the sector are viewed in Scotland. 

Jackie Hudson plays a key role in driving the strategic direction at city-centre venue Surgeons Quarter which comprises the city’s largest independent hotel, Ten Hill Place, along with a thriving conference and events business that maximises the commercial use of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd) buildings and venues.

After 17 years of working in the industry is citing her experience to encourage others not to view it as a short-term job solution, of which she was once guilty of, having started in an events manager role after completing college while initially thinking of undertaking a career teaching maths.

As the industry recovers from the pandemic and manoeuvres continual economic fallout including a prolonged hiring crisis, Jackie believes now is the opportune time to make the move into hospitality.

These challenges have introduced positive changes across working hours, pay, training and development with more organisations increasing incentives – which previously were deemed key deterrents when viewing the industry as a long-term career plan.

Jackie (41), who serves as Revenue Manager and is part of Surgeons Quarter’s senior management team, said: “Working in the hospitality industry has presented opportunities I could only have dreamed of. It can be turbulent, busy and challenging but isn’t every industry like that these days?

“As an industry we’ve perhaps been too shy to shout about what a career can mean. I’d say lots of organisations have really had to focus on their development opportunities, conditions and base pay. I’m confident that we are at the very forefront of this nationally and striving to stay there.

“If you love interacting with people, want to create your own niche and are ready to learn from real life experience, the hospitality industry is the perfect career choice for you.

I’m also extremely proud to play a part in marketing Edinburgh on a national and international level. When I first started out, I never would’ve thought I’d be forecasting the revenue across such a diverse portfolio business.”

Highlighting the breadth of experiences Jackie has been able to undertake at Surgeons Quarter, earlier this month she was invited by Surgeons Quarter’s Managing Director, Scott Mitchell, to accompany him to the RCSEd’s International Conference in Chennai, India.

Scott said: “Jackie is a real lynchpin within our business. She isn’t front and centre at events or with our clients, so perhaps doesn’t always get the spotlight she deserves. 

“She is the embodiment of somebody that has carved a very strong career in hospitality and it’s been a privilege to see her develop and thrive as part of our team.”

As part of Jackie’s role, she plays an active part in recruitment and has a keen interest in building a diverse workforce to incorporate a variety of skills and abilities.

With over 22 different nationalities making up the 178-strong team, the multicultural business has placed focus on professional development and bringing the benefits of a career in the industry to forefront for those just starting out.

Surgeons Quarter promotes, sells and manages all commercial activities held within the RCSEd campus, which includes Ten Hill Place Hotel.

Since 2021 it has secured the Living Wage Accreditation while also increasing its team’s pension contributions to 7.5%.

For more information on events, conferences and meeting space at Surgeons Quarter visit: https://www.surgeonsquarter.com/conferences-meetings/

HR & Recruitment industry sees biggest increase in post lockdown job opportunities

  • 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. 

Edinburgh College appoints two new Board members

Edinburgh College’s Board of Management has appointed two new non-executive members to support it in leading the strategic direction of the College.

The new members are experienced figures in Scottish public life and have an extensive background in human resources, organisational development and law, within the public and private sectors. 

The new Board members are management consultant Alex Killick and Toni McAlindin, an employment law specialist.

Alex Killick has held senior positions at NHS Tayside and the Scottish Government Health Directorates (SGHD), and until recently was the Director of People at Glasgow Caledonian University. Alex is now a Director at Leading Kind, a management consultancy which specialises in wellbeing, equality and workforce development. 

Toni McAlindin is an experienced employment law consultant and a qualified barrister, who currently serves as an Employment Tribunal Member.

Toni previously served on the Court of Stirling University for six years, and was a non-executive board member at the former Jewel & Esk College.

Interim Chair of Edinburgh College’s Board of Management, Ann Landels, said: “On behalf of the Board, I would like to welcome Alex and Toni to their new roles. Both have a vast wealth of experience in human resources and workforce development, as well as strong links within education. 

“Their respective experiences and skillsets will serve the College and the Board well as we aim to continue maximising experiences and opportunities for all of our students.” 

Edinburgh College Principal Audrey Cumberford said: “I am pleased to welcome Alex and Toni to the Board of Management as we work to achieve our ambitions for the future. 

“Their mixture of experience in the commercial and public sectors will add to the range of knowledge and expertise already at the Board’s disposal which, will no doubt, be of great benefit as we strive to be Scotland’s pre-eminent College, delivering life-changing education to our students.”

Find out more about the Edinburgh College Board of Management.

The soft skills gap is costing jobseekers, says new study

  • Over half of advertised vacancies specify soft skills as crucial to the job role, with management experience proving most popular
  • Employers also searching for talents in responsibility, communication and planning
  • But most jobseekers forget to mention crucial soft skills on their CV, most common soft skill cited, time management, only mentioned 20% of the time
  • Soft skills help future-proof a career as are harder for AI and robots to replicate

Four in five jobseekers may be missing the mark on job applications due to underdeveloped soft skills, according to new research by job search-engine Adzuna. Continue reading The soft skills gap is costing jobseekers, says new study