Careers and Jobs

The job section of newspapers is playing a declining role as a tool for jobseekers as much advertising goes online BUT it should not be ignored yet. I have had a quick look at the Irish Independent today and highlighted some of the interesting jobs.

The stand out role (or should that be stand up) this week is Chief Executive Officer for Smithwick’s Cat Laughs. This role will be based in Kilkenny and for more information visit www.smithwickscatlaughs.com

Education Jobs – there are quite a few teaching posts advertised with efforts by UK institutions to attract our teachers. Northfleet Technology College is seeking English, Maths and Science Teachers. For more information www.ntc.kent.sch.uk

Construction Jobs – not surprisingly most of the construction jobs are overseas. The big areas seem to be DUBAI, ABU DHABI and SAUDI ARABIA

Cork and Tullamore suffered sever job loss today with a double announcement. In Tullamore Boston Scientific announced that it will be closing operations with approximately 250 job losses. This is a serious blow to the midlands egion which has had its fair share of poor jobs news recently. What will be more worrying though is the fact that these jobs were in Medical Device Sector. Meanwhile in Cork there were more construction job losses with the closure of Howley Civil Engineering. This unfortunate news will see similar job loss figures.

Arnotts has announced that it will make 600 retail staff redundant. This is a huge blow for the staff and their families. Although the announcement was expected the numbers affected are greater that expected.

Voluntary redundancy will be offered but with 600 of the 950 staff need I guess they all will not be voluntary. These staff are facing a tough job market.

There are couple of points that are being under emphasised in most reports.

a) The store will employee 1200 staff when it reopens in 3 years time. Ok this is no consolation for the staff losing their jobs.

b) This is a 750 million redevelopment project so I guess it will support a struggling construction sector. I guess one workers pain is another workers gain.

Lets hope the staff affected are well looked after in their redundancy package and the proper supports are put in place for them

Citco Fund Services (world’s largest hedge funds administrator) is planning to expand its operations in Dublin. Citco currently employ 600 staff in Ireland and they are looking for new office space which could mean another 100 staff.

With the turmoil in the jobs market many jobseekers are seeking a safe haven to weather this storm. Jobseekers want a sector that will provide stability away from the continual threat of redundancy. Construction is suffering, retail is stuttering, manufacturing on deaths door BUT is financial services the shining knight.

It’s hard to know if Financial Services is a safe bet. The stock market is in turmoil and the banking and financial sector has strong ties to the construction and housing. For example Start Mortgages announced on Friday that it is cutting its workforce by 10% which indicates that the demand for loans is slowing fast. This has a direct knock on effect for banks but also financial services providers such as insurance.

I think Financial Services will remain a pillar of the economy. Developments and announcements such as Citco Fund Services are encouraging and would indicate strength within this sector despite the uncertainty globally.