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Thomas Cook- where next for the staff?
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The world’s oldest travel company Thomas Cook group is insolvent which means is it no longer trading and importantly for their staff this means that they will not receive pay, holiday pay or redundancy benefits from the company.
Worldwide Thomas Cook employed 21,000 staff, 9,000 in the UK and about 3,000 staff in the North-west. The group had 13 retail outlets in Greater Manchester, 10 in the Liverpool City Region and 3 in Preston. As well as the shop staff the group also employed a variety of different roles including cabin crew, tour reps, pilots and engineers.
Greater Manchester (GM) has created a Task Force with representation from the Growth Company, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Job Centre Plus, Unions (Unite and TSSA), Manchester Airport Group to provide support and guidance to former TC employees.
The Task Force have established a website https://gmthomascook.com/ to offer advice and highlight sources of support.
Other useful sites are:
Travel Counsellors
Links to other organisations' job sites
Twitter can be a great source of job information and the various Job Centre Plus feeds are linked to our site https://twitter.com/GCCareersIntel - just click on the ‘lists’ tab and scroll down until you see the JCPs list.
Thomas Cook staff can also, of course call 0800 100 900 to receive free, impartial and up-to-date careers advice from a National Careers Service Adviser or can go online at https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/ to access the service.
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New report from Centre for Ageing Better gives insights for employers on supporting workers in their 40s and 50s to plan for the future.
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Conclusions made in the report include:
- The mid-life MOT should cover psychological and emotional wellbeing as well as health, finances, and career and retirement plans.
- Being supported by employers to plan and prepare can help improve our health and wellbeing, as well as increase our emotional resilience.
- Mid-life support via interventions such as mid-life MOTs is an employee benefit that can contribute to a strong employer brand and the recruitment and retention of employees.
- Mid-life support enables people to work for as long as they want to. In turn, employers can hold on to their skills and experiences, deploy staff effectively and benefit from age-diverse workforces.
- Planning for the transition to retirement can help people avoid leaving work prematurely or experiencing a ‘cliff-edge’ retirement where they stop work abruptly.
Call the National Careers Service on 0800 100 900 to arrange a free mid-life career review if you are aged 50+. Or if you are an employer with a number of employees aged 50+ call us to arrange for the National Careers Service to conduct reviews with them at work to ascertain their future work and retirement plans and help you, the employer, with succession planning.
Read more here
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UK Government invests £100 million to retrain workers replaced by Artificial Intelligence
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According to recent statistics from analysis firm Oxford Economics, robots could replace up to 20 million manufacturing jobs over the coming decade.
The scheme has begun its initial rollout in Liverpool as a digital service called Get Help to Retrain, which is designed to help adults learn about new opportunities and the skills they need in the digital age.
Officials said the service will help adults identify their existing skills, local jobs and where to go to find training courses to gain the skills they need to progress.
Alongside a digital platform, the scheme will offer job seekers support from trained careers advisors who can guide them through the process and provide expert advice.
It is beginning with the launch of the Get Help to Retrain digital service in the Liverpool City Region first, working alongside Government partners the CBI and TUC, to make sure they get it right and the service works for the people who need it.
Read more here
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'Futurism: A Guide to Blockchain: University of Liverpool Management School 19.09.19'
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The first speaker was Ade Molajo (@adotmolajo aka Blockchain Ade)
Blockchain was developed in 2008 by Satoshi Nakamoto who maybe an individual or a collection of individuals. No-one is really sure. Blockchain is a distributed ledger where all concerned actors can see what is happening within that particular blockchain.
A digital distributed ledger (DDL) in which transactions are made in Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency are recorded chronologically and published. DDLs are made of connected nodes. Ade suggested we think of Google docs
Decentralised networks ensure privacy. In these there are transaction nodes and mining nodes. The latter seek out new and exclusive code for each transaction (takes approximately 7 minutes). A # denotes the time of transaction. The block is then assigned a position (number). The Genesis block is no 1.
Notable networks:
Blockchain
Ethereum (open source) - the operating system for Blockchain
Hyperledger (permissions required) - more geared towards an enterprise grade system. Developed by IBM and others and targeted mainly at financial services companies
Ripple - for intra bank transactions
Karat Gold Chain - trade physical gold assets on blockchain
Tether - like Blockchain but is tied to the value of the dollar so price fluctuations are more stable than in Blockchain
Person to person trading is possible and Ade used the example of two electricity consumers - Karl and Hans - who are neighbours. Karl has solar panels on his property and currently sells any surplus electricity generated to the national grid who then distribute it wherever. Hans who lives next door to Karl wants to buy some of his surplus electricity and Blockchain allows him to do this
Julian Clark (pictured), Global Head of Shipping, Hill Dickinson
Julian has a second career as a musician and songwriter. In bygone days a songwriter would need to sign with a publicity agent, a copyright agent; get a recording deal with a record company who would have a distribution network to get the product into shops or online. Typically, it would take 12 months to get a song from origination to market.
Blockchain allows Julian to cut out nearly all these ‘barriers’ and sell direct to interested customers. It also allows him to pay musicians he works with and arrange their participation at concerts or recording sessions and the payments for both. He believes it pretty much spells the end of the traditional music industry.
Blockchain provides a secure and traceable product history which results in enhanced trust.
Maersk, the shipping giants, have declared that at last there is a technology that will replace the paperchain
Blockchain offers:
· Secure payment
· Intellectual property protection
· Cyber security
· Independent verification
· Smart contract usage
· Ability to monitor the complete supply chain
As for insurance and broking blockchain can enhance each stage and reduce fraud risk. Consequently, the role of the insurance broker is becoming more of a data analytical role
The maritime insurance industry has been built on 'my word is my bond'. Blockchain reinforces this.
Graham Rodford- Archax (@Grodfather; @ArchaxEx)
Archax offers a 24/7 global market for 'tokenised assets' Tokenisation is the creation of digital securities or security tokens. If you trade in these as in any financial market they will be regulated.
Tokens are a digital representation of real-world assets on blockchain. Tokens can enable fractional ownership and so create secondary markets. Graham gave 2 examples - an American businessman has sold tokens in an Andy Warhol original he owns. Should he sell the painter each token holder will get a share, meanwhile he retains possession of the picture. The second example was a privately built student hall of residence in Nottingham where tokens had been issued for about 15% of the market value of the property.
Bren Hutchinson - BH Associates (@bhassociates)
Blockchains can help in resolving real world problems. It can be used in anything with a supply chain. Bren used the examples of the Internet of Things (IoT), Smart cities, energy grids, health data, identity ownership, trusted election results, social media - we may be able to monetise our data!
In 2019 KPMG undertook 2 major surveys with employers and both highlighted blockchain as a major target for investment either at present or in the near future
DDLs help build consensus and trust in a supply chain. It allows for more direct trading and eliminates the need for intermediaries (implications for employment?)
Mega corporations like Facebook and Google and others have the deepest pockets and there is a danger blockchain will allow them to entrench their position and therefore remove choice in how and when you can participate. There is a risk that with blockchain the winner may take it all.
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Good jobs and a strong economy are key to saving the high street
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Cities are vibrant places where people go to spend time and money. Despite sometimes being characterised as dull job machines or simply playgrounds of the rich, this is not the reality. Cities offer a more diverse set of amenities than other parts of the country. A trip to the theatre or a celebratory meal out is most likely to take place in a city, as nearly two-thirds of specialist amenities are located in cities.
Not all cities offer variety. There is a clear relationship between the economic strength of a city and the diversity of its amenity offer. Cities with stronger economies house a richer set of amenities, with many specialist and premium options for consumers. In contrast, cities with weaker economies struggle to provide more than the necessities.
The limited spending power of those living and working in cities with weak economies leads to high vacancy rates on their high streets.
Cities with underperforming economies and high street vacancies should:
- Improve the skills of the workforce by setting up skills compacts that bring together all stakeholders involved in education and training. A more qualified workforce will attract businesses that provide high-skilled job opportunities and boost the economy.
- Invest in the consumer offering, but not as the primary tool for economic growth. Investments in amenities and culture have many public benefits and should be a part of each city’s development policies but should not be the lead tool to attract businesses.
- Remodel city centres away from a reliance on retail. They should provide offices for new jobs and reshape the high street away from retail and more towards food, drink and leisure.
Read more here
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North West employer confidence 'waning' under political and economic uncertainty
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KPMG has published its latest economic outlook, which has warned north west businesses to be prepared for a recession which could be triggered by a no-deal Brexit.
Nicola Quayle, office senior partner at KPMG in Manchester, said temporary hires have become more attractive than permanent roles as employers look to in plug more immediate resourcing needs.
Published alongside its economic outlook, the firm’s report on jobs in the north found northern businesses experienced the first decline in permanent staff placements for six months.
Ms Quayle said: “The labour equation is further complicated as workers question whether they want to risk changing roles in the current climate – again shrinking the pool of available talent.
“Northern businesses and employees are looking for a Brexit breakthrough to restore market confidence and some visibility.”
Read more here
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Nuclear jobs map shows how industry impacts every part of the UK, but North West leads the way
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The highest numbers of employees are in the North West of England - which is home to Sellafield and Heysham power stations.
Across the region there are currently 24,084 jobs in the sector - although this is down more than 2,000 on 2018.
Read more here
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'Greater Manchester's towns have an opportunity to soak up millenial demand'
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As a city region economy, Greater Manchester is the largest outside of London and, of course, Manchester’s been a huge driving force behind the region’s success. But the whole point is that the towns surrounding Manchester get a trickledown effect and benefit from the investment and energy that’s made the city such an aspirational place to live.
Young people are drawn to city centre living but at the end of this year millennials start to turn 40. Soon enough tens of thousands of them are going to flip into family mode, either with a partner, maybe a pet and probably kids too.
There’s a massive opportunity for the towns across Greater Manchester to soak up demand from millennials wanting a bit more space and a garden only a tram or train ride away from the city. They want all the things they liked about urban living but with the nurseries, parks and schools that the city centre can’t offer.
Andy Burnham’s Town Centre Challenge is looking to do just that. Working with councils across Greater Manchester, he’s aiming to unlock the potential of town centres to deliver viable housing markets and sustainable communities.
It’s already happening. Billions of pounds are due to be spent in places like Bolton, Rochdale and Stockport to create town centre communities that are easily commutable to Manchester but without the price tags of Chorlton, Didsbury and Altrincham.
Town centres are changing and rather than being the retail hubs they once were they can become urban communities. In the same way that Manchester is becoming a residential city, with the number of people living in the centre set to rocket, bringing housing into the town centre could be transformational.
Read more here
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Greater Manchester has largest service export value outside London
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Greater Manchester had largest service export value of outside London in 2017.
The joint authority's international service exports were valued at £8.2bn, a long way behind inner London at £97bn and outer London at £19.5bn.
The figures are based on data published this week by the Office of National Statistics, which valued international service exports for the UK as a whole at £278.6bn in 2017.
Figures showed 30.8 per cent of Greater Manchester's service exports came from financial and insurance activities, its largest industry.
Read more here
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Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has approved plans to invest £172 million in public and sustainable transport to drive inclusive growth across the city region
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Speaking about the schemes, Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “This ambitious £172.5 million programme will help to drive economic growth that benefits everyone in our city region by dramatically improving sustainable transport across our city region.
“By making it easier for people to get around, and access jobs and opportunities, using public transport or by walking and cycling, we will boost prosperity, help our environment, and improve health and wellbeing.”
Projects to be supported through the Transporting Cities Fund must fall into three main themes: improving and expanding the public transport network to meet new areas of demand; improving the appeal of public transport; and improving health and wellbeing.
Read more here
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Lancashire Industrial Strategy – growth and decline predictions
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Lancashire’s economy has a specialism in Manufacturing, a relatively high concentration of Public Sector activity, and a low concentration of high value-added Service activities.
Its GVA specialisms are in Manufacturing Economic projections using the Greater Manchester Economic Forecasting Model indicate that Lancashire is likely to see significant changes in employment patterns with:
- Growth in the following high-value sectors: Information and Communication, Professional Services, Real Estate, and Construction;
- Growth in the following low-value sectors: Administrative support, Arts;
- Decline in the following high-value sectors: Manufacturing, Financial Services, Water, Electricity, and Transportation and Storage; and
- Decline in the following low-value sectors Agriculture, and Public Administration and Defence.
Occupational change
Projections suggest the following occupations will grow by more than 5% over the next 20 years:
Culture, Media & Sports Occupations; Business & Public Service Professionals; Business & Public Service Associate Professionals; Skilled Construction & Building Trades; Science & Technology Professionals; Customer Service Occupations; and Leisure & Other Service Occupations.
Declines of more than 5% in the following occupations:
Textiles, Printing & Other Skilled Trades; Science & Technology Associate Professionals; Administrative Occupations; Teaching & Research Professionals; Secretarial & Related Occupations; Elementary Occupations: Trades, Plant & Storage related; Process, Plant & Machine Operatives; Protective Service Occupations; and Skilled Metal & Electrical Trades.
Read more here
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How Chester will be transformed by cash boost from Government - and work will begin early next year
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Chester will be one of dozens of UK towns and cities that will receive a £95m Government cash boost that is set to breathe new life into historic areas.
As part of a Government drive to help high streets adapt to changing consumer habits, the city is among 69 locations to receive funding that will be used for a variety of projects including the completion of essential repair works in historic buildings and giving training opportunities to local residents and businesses in a bid to address the UK wide skills shortage of heritage professionals in expert fields like stonemasonry.
As part of the investment, education projects and bespoke events will also be developed to help reposition historic buildings as community hubs at the heart of local towns.
In Chester, an intensive four-year project will see the city's historic Rows renovated and rebranded, subject to completion of a programme design phase in January 2020.
The funding will enable the landmark Rows to be completely transformed through repairs to the infrastructure, such as the walkways, walls, roofs and steps, as well as redecoration of the external main frontage, floor surfaces and shop fronts.
Signs and interpretation will also be improved, and empty units and upper floors brought back into use in the project which will be a strong partnership including bodies like Cheshire West and Cheshire Council, CH1 Chester Bid, the University of Chester, the Grosvenor Estate and Big Heritage among others.
Read more here
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There has never been a better time to be a FutureChef School.
FutureChef is The Springboard Charity’s national culinary programme, introducing young people to the amazing world of catering and teaching technical cookery skills.
It's free to enter!
FutureChef links schools to our fantastic industry through:
- Industry-backed learning resources which highlight the careers in the industry available whilst being aligned to all UK Curriculums.
- An established national competition that is in its 20th year
- Bringing chefs to your school to talk about their careers or deliver technical demonstrations to students
- Organising visits for your students so they can get a taste of life in the workplace
https://futurechef.uk.net/information/teachers
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