Scheme launched to help workforce deal with stress
One of Northern Ireland’s biggest mental health charities has launched a training service addressing a problem which costs the local economy over £790m a year. Action Mental Health’s new AMH Works consultancy and training scheme will help employers support the one in six people in the workforce said to be affected by mental health problems....
Firm aims to help families juggle a work-life balance
One of Northern Ireland’s largest employers is making it easier for parents to spend time with their children during the summer. Firstsource Solutions has adopted a number of family-friendly policies to enable its employees to juggle a work-life balance more effectively. The business process outsourcer, which has four contact centres in Belfast and Londonderry, employing...
Farry, Foster and O’Dowd laud new ICT skills plan
The Department of Employment and Learning has launched an ICT Action Plan to address future skill needs of the sector. The plan brings together a range of actions which have been identified by employers as being central to addressing the skills needs of the ICT sector. Within that DEL will be piloting a Higher Level...
How to be an effective, not a defective leader
Spring is traditionally the time of year for new starts and fresh thinking. But with the present economic situation that may be easier said that done – you might be one of those who are out of work, or maybe one of those fortunate enough to be in a job, but fearing cuts in salaries...
O’Dowd: Business must engage with young people
The Education Minister, John O’Dowd, recently met with members of the Institute of Directors (IoD) to discuss the impact of education on the economy.The Minister met with Mervyn McCall, Chairman of the IoD and members of the Institute’s Education and Skills Committee. Speaking following the meeting, the Minister said: “Education and business have a joint...
Schools are hoping to clean up at awards
Time is running out if pupils want to enter this year’s SuperValu Best Kept School Awards and gain recognition for their environmental activities. The closing date for the competition, organised by the Northern Ireland Amenity Council (NIAC) and sponsors SuperValu, is March 2. SuperValu joined forces with NIAC in 2004 to raise the profile of the...
£4.2m ferry refurbishment contract puts wind back into joinery firms sails.
A government apprentice scheme has helped a Co Down firm almost double its workforce and more than treble its turnover in just three years, according to the latest figures. The MJM Group, a specialist joinery sub-contractor, now plans to expand its workforce in 2012 having secured a €5million refurbishment contract for a Scandinavian ferry operator....
Customer service sector important for job growth
Customer services account for one of Northern Ireland’s most important employment growth sectors, it was claimed today.Quality training, flexible working hours and opportunities for career progression have resulted in an increasing number of job applications, according to Firstsource Solutions in Belfast.“Many companies like ours encourage their staff to continue their studies and will provide time...
Using Computers in Work
A large number of people will find that they spend a majority of their working day in front of a computer screen. In the third instalment in our health and safety at work series, we will be looking at safe computer use at work. The majority of people who use computers for their work will...
Rights of Part-time Workers
The large increases in the number of peoples undertaking part-time employment has been well documented in the media since the onset of the recession, as people struggle to find full-time work. Many others find that part-time work suits their circumstances better, such as students or working mothers. This article will look at the rights of...