Innovation: The Way Forward
Mar/100
A recent government report released earlier this month, Innovation Task force Report, has led to a major emphasis on innovation in the Irish economy. The Report is an important element of the Government’s Plan, Building Ireland’s Smart Economy, for dealing with the challenges facing the Irish economy in a changed world. The Report sets out some key recommendations and steps to allow Ireland to be transformed into a Global Innovation Hub. Can innovation provide a solution to our troubled economy? Can technology provide the best solution?
Innovation can come from anywhere, anyone and at any time. It’s a case of moulding an idea and enabling people to take that idea and give them a platform to drive and develop it. Technology may provide the best answer. There has been continued growth in video based platforms online. One such area that could develop within this growth is working remotely. The idea of working remotely is familiar concept, but the development of video conferencing, web cams and Webex can allow for new opportunities for both employers and employees. For employers it’s an adaptation of workforce practices, trust, and enablement in the employees you are hiring and modifying the way we think successful workers work. It offers numerous opportunities for the Irish work force to export their knowledge globally. Historically, Ireland has been known as a hotbed for educational excellence, this excellence could be exported via technology, via TelePresence, or Webex to countries that struggle to attract the right level of quality that Ireland possesses.
The government report also highlights the need for investment in national infrastructure. This is a key factor in the development of video based solutions. Investment in infrastructure and the support of the private sector and service providers will assist access to workforce throughout Ireland.
Innovation can provide the next step in the road to recovery for the Irish economy. The next bright idea could provide a pathway to a smart Irish economy.
http://evertb.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/report_of_the_innovation_taskforce.pdf
Positive growth trend continues in Ireland’s professional jobs market
Mar/100
The latest Premier Group Irish Employment Monitor covering February 10 figures was published this morning.
This month’s highlights include:
- In February 10, new professional job vacancies increased by 34% compared to February 09
- Month on month, the number of new job vacancies rose by 7%
- This is the fourth consecutive month of increase in the number of new jobs available for professionals
- In February compared to January, the number of new professionals beginning a new job search increased by 19%
- There were 58% more professionals beginning a job search in February 10 compared to the same month last year
The full release can be viewed on our website:http://www.verkom.ie/Irish-employment-monitor-February-2010
In addition, the Morgan McKinley London Employment Monitor covering February 10 has also been published.
- New financial services job vacancies in February 10 rose by 13% month-on-month
- Compared to the same month last year, job numbers were up 67% in February 10, a similar uplift to that seen in January 10 vs. January 09
- The number of professionals entering the jobs market in February 10 increased by 29% on January 10 and also rose by 29% compared to February 09
- The average City salary stood at ₤51,560 – a 2% month-on-month increase
- For those considering changing jobs in 2010, career development rather than remuneration was identified as the key reason (57%)
The full release can be viewed on
http://www.morganmckinley.co.uk/Employment-Monitor-February-2010
Most Sought-After Skills on the Web Market
Feb/100
Recently there has been a continued growth of online web agencies. This growth has stemmed from major companies outsourcing their web development and advertising campaigns to specialist firms. These companies are advancing at a rapid pace and are now sourcing the best and most highly skilled developers on the market. Currently there is a shortage of expertise to match this demand. What does this mean for developers and designers? Are there opportunities in the web market? The answer is Yes!! The best way to take advantage of these opportunities is through up-skilling!
Cakephp and flex are the hottest web skills on the market. Flex is an open source program for developers and maintains open source web applications while Cakephp is a framework that offers an extensible architecture for developing, maintaining, and deploying applications. It reduces development costs and helps developers write less code which is a valuable tool for online agencies.
The growth of online agencies will continue and this is a competitive market with high demand for specialised web developers and designers!
Ireland’s hiring market ends 2009 on a positive note
Jan/100
Monitoring the pulse of the Irish professional jobs market
Highlights
- During December 09, the number of new job vacancies in Ireland increased by 3% compared to November 09
- The year-on-year monthly comparison of new jobs showed an increase of 23% – the first rise since February 08
- The number of professionals beginning a new job search in December 09 declined by 30% compared to November 09
- The year-on-year monthly comparison showed the first increase registered throughout 2009, a small but significant rise in new candidates of 0.27%
Irish professional jobs market shows monthly and yearly improvement
The Irish professional jobs market saw a second consecutive increase in new jobs compared to the previous month with a rise of 3% from 4,432 in November 09 to 4,587 in December 09. A year-on-year monthly increase was also registered for the first time since February 08; the 4,587 new jobs in December 09 showing significant improvement from the 3,743 new positions in December 08. Bucking the usual trend for a decline in job vacancies over the Christmas period, these figures indicate that businesses in Ireland are starting to show signs of renewed confidence.
Seasonal factors did appear to have an impact on the number of new professionals looking for jobs in December. Compared to November 09, there were 30% fewer individuals looking for jobs across Ireland in December 09 with a decrease from 10,830 to 7,560. Compared to December 08, there was a small increase from 7,540 to 7,560 – which also suggests a cautious return to confidence in the hiring market amongst job hunters.
Brian Murphy, Managing Director of Premier Group in Ireland comments:
“Traditionally the number of new professional jobs in the month of December is lower than other months, so we were pleased to see that the number of job vacancies in December 09 held up so well and even showed a small increase on the November figures. As the year comes to a close many employers put hiring on hold until January so the increase was a very welcome and hopefully positive sign that 2010 may herald better times for professionals seeking new opportunities in Ireland”.
“The increase from December 08 to December 09 brought to an end a sequence of 21 consecutive months of year-on-year monthly declines in new job numbers. The last increase was registered in February 2008. The December figures provide further hope that the bottom of the market has been reached and we can look forward to the new decade with significantly more confidence than that with which we entered 2009″.
“The number of professionals entering the jobs market in December 09 showed a significant decrease on the November figure. However this decrease is consistent with the pattern from previous years and is reflective of the holiday period at the end of December and the
reluctance of many professionals to become active in the market when they perceive that activity will be less robust as Christmas comes closer. We expect these figures to normalise when the January 2010 Irish Employment Monitor figures are released”.
Chart: New jobs v. new candidates
About the Premier Group Irish Employment Monitor
The Premier Group Irish Employment Monitor measures the pulse of the Irish professional jobs market by tracking the number of new jobvacancies and new candidates within the Republic of Ireland each month. The first Premier Group Irish Employment Monitor was launched in May 2009 with data from April 2008 onwards.
Statistical methodology
Monthly new jobs and new candidates
Monthly new jobs and new candidate figures are based on Premier Group’s own monthly records of new permanent job vacancies and new candidates registering with the firm for permanent employment. Statistics for the full market are derived using Premier Group’s own market share.
Job classification
Job vacancies are professional level roles within the following sectors and functions; Banking & Financial Services, Commerce & Industry Finance, Insurance, Public Practice & Tax, Legal, HR, IT, Life Sciences, Engineering, Process & Manufacturing, Professional Services, Sales & Marketing, Customer Service, Secretarial & Office Support.
Geography
The data is based on new job vacancies and new candidates registered with Premier Group’s network of Irish offices in Cork, Dublin, Kilkenny, Limerick and Waterford.
About Premier Group
Premier Group is Ireland’s leading recruitment consultancy with offices in Cork, Dublin, Kilkenny, Limerick, and Waterford. Internationally, the Group operates from 24 offices across eight countries. Subsidiary brands within Premier Group in Ireland include
Accreate Executive Search & Interim, Brunel, la crème, Premier, and Verkom. Morgan McKinley and iQ selection also form part of the Premier Group outside of Ireland.
Morgan McKinley London Employment Monitor
Premier Group currently publishes a similar monitor in London under its subsidiary brand name, Morgan McKinley. The highly regarded Morgan McKinley London Employment Monitor was launched in 2004 and reports on the new roles, candidates and salaries within the financial services jobs market in London each month. Visit www.morganmckinley.co.uk for details.
Government planning PAYE crackdown on contract workers
Jan/100
Some of you may have read the recent article in the Sunday Business Post regarding proposed changes for contractors payment of PAYE. We would not be concerned at this stage that any proposed changes would have any affect on our current IT contractors. Those acting legitimately through a LTD company are unlikely to be affected.
The proposal is designed to ensure that contractors who are de facto employees cannot avoid PAYE by being paid through limited companies they establish.
The proposed changes are currently only in draft form and we will be keeping all of our contractors updated as we obtain additional information through the revenue in the coming months.
Changes were made in the UK a couple of years ago which had significant ramifications for IT contractors however we don’t anticipate the same level or amendments to legislation here.
http://www.sbpost.ie/news/government-planning-paye-crackdown-on-contract-workers-46695.html – Article from the Sunday Business Post
Contractors, how do you think this legislation could affect you? Do you think this legislation change will change the face of the IT Contract market in Ireland?
Verkom Sponsors IT@Cork Leaders Awards Ceremony 2009
Aug/090
Verkom sponsor and attend IT@Cork Leadership Awards 2008
Verkom sponsor and attend IT@Cork Leadership Awards 2008
Verkom are delighted once again to be a main sponsor of the IT@Cork Leaders Awards Ceremony – Recognising Leaders in Technology Innovation 2009.
Organised by IT@Cork, this prestigious event will take place on 22nd October at the Vertigo Lounge. The Leadership Awards recognises some of the leading companies and individuals in the IT community that are driving progress.
The event will recognise and award Leaders in Technology and Business Innovation in 7 categories:
- High Potential Start Up
- High Growth Company
- R&D Project
- IT Department
- Sustained Excellence
- Green Technology
- Excellent in Education
If you are interested in finding out more, or to nominate, please visit www.itcork.ie