Although the number of job cuts increased by 50% at the end of 2008 the number of civil contracts increased at the beginning of January.
The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show that civil engineering recorded its first year-on-year increase in contracts since June 2008.
Reward staff encorporating all compensation and benefits staff are currently in demand. There is however, little supply.
It is the one area of the HR market that has remained bouyant and good people are a much needed commodity.
A new survey from secretarial and business support recruiter Crone Corkill claims that most firms plan on maintaining or even increasing recruitment of business support staff in 2009. Almost 40% of companies planned to increase headcount interestingly.
KFC to open 200-300 new restaurants
Creating up to 9,000 new jobs in the UK and Ireland
KFC, the world’s leading chicken restaurant, has announced it will be creating up to 9,000 new jobs in the UK through a £100-£150 million investment in its estate, which will see it open 200-300 new stores.
Over the next three to five years, KFC will be creating up to 9,000 new jobs across the country with a particular focus on the North of England and South Wales. The new jobs will provide a range of opportunities for all ages and abilities from cooks to managers. KFC always works hard to ensure the highest levels of customer satisfaction, and in order to do this, it invests in its most important asset, its team members. Every employee can expect to take advantage of extensive training and development programmes and KFC prides itself on providing the opportunity for team members to work their way up to manager and beyond. Restaurant Managers at KFC have highly responsible roles and manage teams of up to 40 employees.
Despite the economic downturn, KFC continues to see strong sales. Results for 2008 have seen a strong growth versus the year before and results for 2009 are already showing double digit growth. With 760 stores and 22,000 employees already in the UK, this announcement highlights KFC’s continued growth since it came to the UK in 1965.
KFC is famous for its unique flavour and its freshly prepared products. Its success is down to the fact that the company ensures it meets customer demands and continues to launch new and innovative products, such as the current trial of KFC a.m, its new breakfast menu.
Martin Shuker, Managing Director of KFC UK & Ireland said “There aren’t many companies who can be so positive in this challenging environment so we are delighted to be able to announce this significant investment in the UK. This announcement is not just a credit crunch phenomenon for KFC – we have in fact been growing steadily for years by making sure we always listen to our customers and meet their needs. A truly successful business should provide customers with what they want when the economy is booming, as well as when times are tougher.”
The growth plan will see the company opening new stores but also increasing its franchise business. KFC will also use the investment to refurbish current stores with a contemporary new look in order to enhance the customer experience.
Alongside its expansion plans, KFC takes its responsibility to the community seriously and is working on a number of initiatives. It recently announced an initiative to reduce its packaging by 1,400 tonnes. At the end of last year it also published its commitments to improving the nutritional profile of its menu through the Food Standards Agency.
KFC’s parent company, Yum! Brands is the fastest growing global retailer in the world.
Insurance firm Esure plans to expand its operations in Glasgow creating 500 jobs. It will create half of the new jobs over the next 18 months in its customer services department and a further 250 jobs will be ceated by 2014.
They currently employ over 600 people at the Glasgow office which is the main operational UK headquarters. The expansion by Esure is being supported by a £1.4 million Regional Selective Assitance grant from the Scottish Government.
