Careers and Jobs

Expect the announcement today of congestion charges for Dublin in a new “pay-as-you-drive” scheme. The system will be similar to that introduce and operation in London. This scheme will be introduced to help top up government coffers due to reduced funds following the crash in the property sector. Or is it to address the traffic problems in the Dublin city center.

This plan is called “Sustainable Transport and Travel” and has an aim to promote the use of public transport over cars and free up congestion levels in the city. The system will work similar to tolls. Workers will pay to enter the city center cordon.

Government says that this is a necessary move because;

- Average rush hour speeds have dropped from 13km/hr in 2006 to 8km/hr today.
- Care usage is increasing obesity in Ireland.
- Increased traffic pollution is causing health problems

Will this plan improve the situation and reduce congestion or will things remain the same but just more expensive. Let’s face it the tool has not deterred workers from using the M50. Feedback from London suggests that the project will work as it has reduced car numbers by 20% but the jury is still out in Ireland.

This government announcement coincides with Work Life Balance day on 29th February. The WLB day is a great initiative and promotion WLB awareness. Unfortunately for workers in Ireland thought things just seem to be a downward spiral making Ireland a difficult place to work with little WLB.

Construction Jobs in Ireland

If you have been hibernating for the last year you will have missed the fact that the golden sector of Ireland has stuttered and is grinding to a halt. Negative news about the housing sector and of course layoffs and job losses. I have had numerous conversations with people inside and outside the construction sector and I have received contrasting opinions about the actual impact.

Today I was reading the Jobs & Careers section of the Irish Independent (no relation) and I could not help notice something strange about the construction jobs section. OK – it has been shrinking in size for some time BUT most of the agency advertisements were for overseas jobs and careers. Australia, New Zealand, London, Dubai and Abu Dhabi were some of the locations listed.

Micheal O’Leary was complemented about his honesty on his recent assessment of the aviation sector. Can an advert titled “downturn – what downturn” in the construction jobs section be a complemented for its honesty. Interestingly the same advert indicated it has career opportunities home and ABROAD.

Can we put a positive spin for those affected by the construction sector decline?

The above locations have a better climate, better work life balance with no M50.