Tag: Recruitment

Record recruitment to Scotland’s Ambulance Service

Recruitment to Scotland’s ambulance service has hit a record high, helping to boost the service this winter. A record 540 paramedics, ambulance drivers, call handlers, and clinicians have been employed in the last year.

This is driven by a £45 million funding boost announced as part of last week’s NHS winter resilience plan, which will ensure the NHS is working as efficiently as possible.

The increase in staff numbers is already having a tangible impact on response times – with 99% of all serious incidents, such as heart attacks, being dealt with in under 30 minutes.

The investment will increase the number of patients treated in the community, reducing the need for hospital admission and easing pressure on NHS services. 

On a visit to an ambulance station in Edinburgh, Health Secretary, Humza Yousaf said: “This winter will be one of the most challenging our NHS has ever faced, and we need to make sure people are getting the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

“We are determined to equip the Scottish Ambulance Service with the resources and staff to continue to deliver a high-quality emergency service to the people of Scotland.

“Ambulance staff have shown remarkable resilience in the face of sustained pressure on services and I would like to thank them for their continued commitment and hard work.”

Pauline Howie, Scottish Ambulance Service Chief Executive said: “The last 12 months have been the busiest ever in terms of recruitment for the Service and this funding announcement is great news as we continue to experience unprecedented pressures on our services alongside the entire NHS.

“With the increased demand for our services, it’s vital we boost our capacity and resilience by introducing extra resources and staffing. These new staff will complement our existing staff who have done an amazing job before and right throughout the pandemic, providing the very best patient care to communities across the country.”

Shannen McLoughlin is a newly qualified paramedic who has graduated from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN) and started with the Scottish Ambulance Service in October 2021.

She said: “I absolutely love my job and have already been fortunate enough to have worked with a number of fantastic paramedics. I found this really benefited my practice and allowed me to get to grips with the transitional role from a student paramedic to a newly qualified paramedic.

“There is such a wide variety of jobs on a shift, there really is never a dull moment and that is why I am so glad I chose to become a paramedic in Edinburgh.”

Those recruitment figures are good news for our beleaguered NHS, but the Tory opposition are keeping up the pressure on Humzah Yousaf:

St James Quarter and Fuse team up to support Scottish employment market

Following the success of last year’s recruitment fair, St James Quarter has partnered with retail and hospitality recruitment service FUSE to provide a new programme of career opportunities for the sector across Scotland. 

The recruitment fair will be held in St James Quarter’s Level 1 unit beside Next from 10:00 – 17:00 on Tuesday 11th of October and those interested are encouraged to sign up now.  

In 2021, the recruitment fair saw 300 local applicants attend on the day with 150 successful candidates invited for paid trial shifts and second interviews with many offered a job on the same day. The joint initiative is intended to provide a much needed boost for the local economy by creating new job opportunities across Edinburgh’s retail and hospitality industry.  

St James Quarter is on track to sustain the target of 3,000 new job roles for the local economy with an additional 1,500 vacancies set to be created following continual expansion plans within The Quarter and the development of W Hotel. FUSE has already successfully placed 2,000 candidates within The Quarter since its opening.  

This year at the recruitment fair, FUSE will be recruiting for 300 vacancies with a variety of positions from Christmas temp seasonal staff through to full and part time roles in a range of levels in retail, restaurant management, customer service and maintenance. Brands from across the Quarter such as Stradivarius, Bonnie and Wild, John Lewis & Partners, Coach, NEOM Organics and Duck & Waffle will all be looking for their newest team members. 

In a commitment to support the future of retail in Scotland, St James Quarter and FUSE are continuing to work together to help boost employment in the capital after 62% of those working at The Quarter revealed in a staff survey that their previous job was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving them unemployed and struggling to find work. 

Kitti Hovarth, Sales Assistant at Pull & Bear, who found work at St James Quarter through FUSE shares their experience: “During the pandemic, and like many others, I was left unemployed.

“I was unsure where I wanted to take my career and what opportunities were available to me at such an uncertain time. After finding out about FUSE and the recruitment fair, I was able to land a job at St James Quarter as a Sales Assistant.

“This opportunity has allowed me to not only gain experience and expand my skillset in customer service and teamwork, but it’s also boosted my confidence and taken a huge worry off my shoulders” 

Jennifer Laseen, Hospitality and F&B Director, St James Quarter said: “We are delighted to be working with FUSE again to find the right candidates for some amazing roles we have across the Quarter.

“The team at St James Quarter are proud to continue to support our team members and nurture new talent and we are encouraging all those who are interested to sign up to the recruitment fair now to avoid any disappointment.” 

Niamh Murphy, FUSE Manager, added: “The FUSE team are passionate about supporting St James Quarter and the local Edinburgh communities match employees to the right role within the Quarter.  

“Our expert knowledge of the industry allows us to provide a tailored approach to recruitment and continue to support team members and employers with further training, accredited qualifications, and ongoing networking opportunities” 

Job opportunity at Granton Information Centre

We are currently looking for a Welfare Rights Adviser to join our organisation.

This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about helping people and understands the importance of individuals having access to free and impartial advice, advocacy and representation on matters relating to benefits, welfare rights and debt issues.

Although experience in a similar role is preferred, full training will be provided and we are looking to hear from anyone who has useful transferable skills and an interest to work in this field (including graduates).

Apply at https://goodmoves.com/…/a4s3z000…/Welfare-Rights-Adviser

Police: Women recruitment event

Police Scotland’s Positive Action Team will be hosting an online information and recruitment event aimed at women across Scotland.

This event, on Tuesday 4th October from 6.30 – 8pm – will give attendees a fantastic opportunity to hear from serving female officers and their experiences as a police officer in Scotland as well as the opportunity to ask questions.

The event will also focus on the recruitment process and the training, with a unique insight in to life at the Scottish Police College at Tulliallan from a female perspective.

To sign up, please contact the following email address:

recruitmentpositive@scotland.police.uk

Ever considered a sporting career? Open Day being held for lifeguards

As the historic Warrender Swim Centre prepares to reopen its doors to the public once again after two years of renovations, Edinburgh Leisure is holding a recruitment open day and is searching for people who are ready to dive into a new opportunity.

The Open Day is being held at the Royal Commonwealth Pool on Monday, 26th September from 11am – 7pm and they are looking for a new team of lifeguards.

Brian King, Manager of Warrender Swim Centre explained: “The open day is a great opportunity for prospective candidates to find out more about a career with Edinburgh Leisure, the role of a lifeguard first hand from our team, and how to apply quickly and easily for the role. You’ll need to be a good swimmer, but we can offer either full or part-time work and great career prospects.”

Prospective candidates attending will be registered on our applicant system and once registered, they’ll undertake a short competency-based interview and need to complete a water test. 

If the interview is successful, appointed candidates would be required to apply for a PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups) certificate. Interested candidates should visit the Edinburgh Leisure website or drop into the Royal Commonwealth Pool between 11am – 7 pm on 26th September.

As a charity, Edinburgh Leisure is dedicated to keeping people in Edinburgh active, and over 5 million annual visits are made to their 50 venues, which includes leisure centres, swimming pools, golf courses and the UK’s biggest indoor climbing wall.

But they’re more than their venues.  Each year their Active Communities programme uses the power of physical activity and sport to support over 10,000 people affected by disabilities, health conditions, poverty, and inequalities to improve their health and wellbeing.

Making a positive impact on people’s health and wellbeing is at the heart of what Edinburgh Leisure does and it takes a big team to deliver this ambition with everyone playing their part. 

As an employer, they pride themselves on providing a supportive and enjoyable work environment that their team are proud to be a part of.  They offer a generous rewards package, staff discount scheme and the option to join their Group Personal Pension Fund.

If you have what it takes for a career with Edinburgh Leisure, they will support you with the necessary training and support to have a long and fulfilling career.

For more information:   https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/careers/open-days

Expert reveals CV Red Flags to avoid

The average recruiter or hiring manager spends 6 to 8 seconds looking at a CV before they decide if it is suitable or not. 

On average in the UK, one position attracts around 250 CVs, which means that employers can immediately spot the red flags. CVs with cluttered layouts, lack of headings, or ones that are too long or too short will more than likely not be successful.  

However, if you are looking for a new job, experts at CV Maker have revealed the top red flags you should avoid when creating your CV, to help you be successful in applying for your dream role. Be sure to avoid these mistakes!  

1. Typos and grammatical errors  

Probably the first red flag that employers look out for, mistakes on your CV show that you don’t pay attention to detail. Minor mistakes shouldn’t be a cause for concern, however, if a CV is full of mistakes, it immediately sends the wrong message to a recruiter or hiring manager. 

Consider resending your CV if you notice multiple typos or other major mistakes after you click send. While it might feel awkward, there are professional ways to resend a CV. It’s best to include a short explanation with your updated CV. Politely explain that you are sending an updated file and to please excuse yourself for the mistake. 

Make sure to use a spellchecker and have at least two people proofread your CV before you apply for a position.  

2. Unprofessional email address 

An unprofessional email address is another huge red flag for employers. Your CV is your professional calling card, the first impression a hiring manager creates for you before they have even met you. Make sure to get yourself a separate email account for your job search and keep your account name professional.  

Make sure you don’t use the email address you created when you were 15. This shows employers that you’re too lazy to create a new email address, or that you don’t value your professional career.  

If you’re struggling, use your last name and first initial or first and last name. This is clear and professional.  

3. Employment gaps 

Large gaps of time between them are one of the biggest CV red flags that head-hunters, recruiters, and hiring managers will immediately notice. One gap in employment isn’t that unusual, especially if you’ve travelled or started a family. However, if multiple gaps seem out of place, make sure you have a valid reason to explain these.  

Breaks in employment raise red flags because they could have a range of negative implications. There are exceptions, but most high performers don’t have huge gaps in their employment history. Employers might also fear you could do this again and quit the job when under pressure.  

Explaining a gap in a cover letter might help. If you do get invited to an interview, be ready with an honest and clear reason for the gap.  

4. Job hopping 

People job search for a new career for all kinds of reasons. Increased pay, improved benefits, better work-life balance, etc. However, frequent job hopping can be a cause for concern as an employer.  

Employers want to hire people they can invest in. One year, or less, isn’t enough time for an employee to become truly proficient in their role or make a meaningful impact on a company.  

If you have switched positions frequently, and your CV shows this, make sure you have valid reasons for this. Don’t mention that you just “needed a change” as this can indicate that you are inconsistent or unreliable.  

Some better reasons for job hopping, that you can explain in an interview, could be that you were recruited by another company, as this shows that you are a valuable team member. You could also mention that your previous role shifted from what you were initially hired to do, or even that you weren’t advancing as quickly as you’d like.  

5. Too much personal information 

Too much non-relevant personal information on your CV can also be a big red flag. Your CV is a document to highlight your skills, accomplishments, and work history. This needs to stay professional. 

Whilst showing a little personality on a CV is a green flag, too much personal information can deter employers from hiring you. Try to keep it short and concise and wait until the interview to let your personality shine through.  

The best way to show a little personality, that isn’t overbearing, is through your hobbies and interests. However, make sure these are relevant to your job role. 

Police Scotland: Be The Difference

Do you want a job where you make a difference? We’re recruiting police officers across Scotland now!

No two days are the same for our police officers but every day they keep people safe. You can be called to a report of a housebreaking then go to deal with a road crash.

After that you might be taking a statement from a domestic abuse victim and then speaking to school pupils about keeping safe online.

Helping people at some of their worst times is at the heart of what we do and it is very rewarding.

Are you ready to join us and be the difference your community needs?

Visit our website to apply today: http://ow.ly/TpNa50JQONW

#BeTheDifference

Police recruitment

Recently graduated and not sure what you want do next? Have you thought about joining the police?

You don’t need qualifications to join. You just need to pass the Standard Entrance Test.

You’ll go through 12 weeks of full training at the Scottish Police College in Tulliallan. After that, all new police officers spend the first two years as a probationer, continuing to learn on the job.

After the two years, you can then specialise. That could include CID, child protection, cybercrime or road policing to name a few.

The opportunities to progress your career and development are endless. Do you want to make a difference? Visit our website for full details of how to apply ⬇️

http://ow.ly/TpNa50JQONW

#BeTheDifference

Lothian Recruitment Day tomorrow

Lothian are looking for mechanics, shunters, trainee drivers and PCV drivers to join our team across Edinburgh and the Lothians.

Are you over 18 and hold a car driving licence? Come to our Recruitment Day to find out more about a role with Lothian!

Pop along to our Longstone Garage on Sunday 3 July between 1000hrs and 1500hrs to see if you have what it takes to become a member of our team.

On the day you’ll get the chance to:

  • Meet members of our team who can talk you through the recruitment process.
  • Chat to colleagues who have just completed training and hear their experiences.
  • Get behind the wheel of a bus and see what it’s like to drive for yourself.
  • Start a new career with Lothian!

If you’re interested, give us a call on 0131 558 8011.

Find out more about the roles we have on offer here: