Supermarket chain Asda has announced it will create 7000 jobs this year. It also pledged to take on 3000 unemployed people in existing part-time and full-time roles. They plan to help the long-term unemployed get back into work by specifically targeting them for vacancies.
A new survey has found that contractors are still confident and relatively optimistic about the future despite the gloomy economic climate.
JSA, the accountancy based service solutions provider JSA found the following facts and figures:
• Almost 50% of contractors expect to earn more in 2009 than in 2008.
• Less than 50% feel that the current state of the economy will have a serious effect on their finances.
• More than 50% of contractors are confident of being able to find a new contract if they lose their current one!
Confidence is high, repeat……confidence is high!
Advertised IT vacancies fell below 1992 levels in the 4th quarter of 2008. In fact, figures are rapidly reaching the recession figures of 1991.
Computer Weekly found that there were nearly 25% less jobs on the market from October to December 2008 compared to quarter 3 in 2008.
The finance sector was the most affected for the IT industry (a drop of 33%). Unsurprisingly the public sector was the only sector to see an increase in activity!
Building of the London Crossrail project begun on 10th January and single handedly marks the start of long-term infrastructure investment that will benefit the construction, engineering and building industries.
The new rail link that is to be built between Maidenhead and Heathrow in the west of London and Abbey Wood to the East of the capital will cost somewhere in the region of £16bn. During the build peak staffing levels are expected to be around 14,500!!
IT has finally begun to feel the pinch but there are still a range of skill sets that are in strong demand. They include Oracle, Java, SQL, C#, .net and SAP. You can upskill your tool kit with courses from the Home Learnig college - found on the training pages of www.uktemps.co.uk
