IT Recruitment - whats the market like?

We thought we would give you all a quick update on how the current IT and Information Management recruitment market is looking within the Public and Not-For-Profit sector.

Well. So far this year, as mentioned in a previous post all has looked fine, not much change to mention. However, we did notice a drop in July. Maybe it was because everyone was on Summer Holiday or maybe it was the current economic climate taking hold. The good news is that it appears to have been a one off. August has been very busy on both the permanent and temporary side. We have received positions from within the NHS, Education, Charity and Housing sector.

In terms of the number of applications we are seeing we believe the number has generally been consistent, however, we have noticed a slight rise in the number of people looking for permanent work. Perhaps this is because they wish to ensure stability and financial security during these uncertain financial times.

If you would like to chat to us about IT and Information recruitment please do give us a call on 0844 800 4984 or e-mail us at info@ggrecruitment.co.uk

Passport Theft

Make sure you check candidate's Passports!!!

The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) has advised its members to be vigilant in checking passports following the theft of a consignment from the Greater Manchester area last month. The passport numbers to look out for are:

706922251 to 706922300
706919201 to 706922200
706922301 to 706922800
761258951 to 761259000
706922201 to 706922250

* - article from the recruiter.

Recession in UK 'is months away'

The BCC says there is still time for the UK to avoid a recession

Recession looms in the UK in the next six to nine months as firms face "a difficult and risky climate", the British Chambers of Commerce warns. UK growth will be slightly negative or zero in the next two or three quarters, but a major recession is unlikely, the BCC says in its latest forecast.

But prospects will be worse if interest rates are not cut soon, it adds. The BCC predicts UK unemployment will rise by between 250,000 and 300,000 in the next 18 months to two years.
That could take the jobless total to more than two million for the first time since Labour came to power in 1997.

'Bigger danger'

"Over the next two or three quarters, we expect UK GDP growth to be slightly negative or zero, satisfying the conditions of technical recession," the BCC says.

"But the bigger danger of a major UK recession can and must be prevented," it adds.
"Our central scenario envisages that UK Bank Rate would be cut to 4.75% in [the fourth quarter of] 2008, followed by an additional cut to 4.5% in [the first quarter of] 2009.
"But if [the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee] decides not to cut rates in the next three to six months, growth prospects would be worse."
BCC director general David Frost told the BBC that the "full impact of going into a major recession as we did in the early 1990s could be avoided now".
Mr Frost said the UK needed "to get back to a a path of steady growth" as nobody wanted to experience the "major dislocation and major problems emerging from a deep recession".

Confidence falling

Whatever happens to interest rates, the BCC says, "a marked slowdown in UK activity is highly likely over the next 18 months".

This would be mainly caused by "a very sharp deceleration in consumer spending growth, in reaction to falling house prices and the acute squeeze on household disposable incomes".
At the same time, a new survey of 200 firms by Lloyds TSB bank indicates that nearly two out of three companies are more pessimistic about the state of the economy than they were three months ago.

One in five of them predicted that the level of activity in their business would decline during the next 12 months.

And the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) has added to the gathering economic gloom with a survey showing another sharp fall in business confidence.
Its Business Confidence Monitor (BCM) index, covering the period from 24 April to 24 July, produced a reading of -25.7, compared with -19.7 in the previous three months.

WHAT IS A RECESSION?

There are a number of definitions of a recession.
The most commonly used one is when there are two quarters in a row of economic contraction, or negative growth.
But it is quite possible to have two quarters of negative growth and another couple of quarters of decent growth - so the economy actually grows year on year, despite going through a technical recession.

Government initiative

The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) has launched a new scheme aiming to cut down on the time and money business spend complying with employment law.
The Employing People initiative will promote Business Link’s tools, which include calculators and interactive guides. Employment relations minister Pat McFadden said: “Instead of spending money on buying in professional advice on employment law, employers can get access to a range of easy-to-use, fully compliant documents that take only a few minutes to complete. Over 40,000 firms have benefited from switching to the written statement tool we have provided saving around £120 every time that they do so.”

* - Article from Recruiter.

In G & G Recruitment's view they should also look at cutting down on the amount of legislation and red tape that small businesses face. There are some differences in the legislation that small businesses face but, not enough. The risks to a small business when recruiting aren't just the possibility of wasting some money but, could be potentially business armageddon. There should be a completely separate set of legislation which accurately reflects the difference in position between a small business and medium and large businesses whilst still giving the employee their rights. Any thoughts on this please do e-mail us at info@ggrecruitment.co.uk.

Raisers Edge Database Manager / Data Analyst - Current Vacancy

You will be managing the Raisers Edge database on behalf of all users and deliver efficient and effective database maintenance, development and support processes and routines which maintain the accuracy of the data held thereby underpinning the validity of derived data knowledge. You will also support all users in terms of their operational requirements, training needs and query resolution. You will provide specialist advice, support and training for standard operating procedures to a varied user group comprising Fundraising, Membership, Campaigns and Branches, to ensure that data is stored correctly and in accordance with the Data Protection Act. You will also maintain and develop knowledge of best practice enabling you to undertake compliant Gift Aid tax claims, as well as the monthly Direct Debit runs and routine file imports. You will have experience of working with Raisers Edge and handling all the processes, procedures and problems you would expect to arise in a not for profit environment. The effective use and application of software and reporting tools such as RE Query, Access and Excel is also required, and experience of Cognos Report Net would be an advantage.G & G Recruitment is working as an Employment Agency.

PACS Project Manager - Prince 2, NHS

PACS Project Manager with a track record of success is urgently required.You will have experience of working in the NHS delivering Picture, Archiving and Communication systems (PACS) projects. You will be delivering the Film-less aspect of our AGFA 6.3 PACS programme. This is a difficult and demanding role where only a highly experienced PACS Project Manager will be considered. This is a fast moving role, so please do send through a detailed CV as soon as it is possible.

G & G Recruitment are working as an Employment Business.

Social networking sites, a useful recruitment tool or the bane of any Organisation?

Social networking sites such as Facebook, YouTube and MySpace have had a dramatic impact on society in recent times, becoming somewhat of a phenomena. Millions of people in the UK have some form of online profile, and these sites are now woven into our everyday language,
and for many the use has become an integral part of their day.

Opinions on social networking sites vary widely, from those who hate and detest such sites, to others who think they are an integral part of society, allowing them to interact with new people whom they would not otherwise have met. Either way, social networking sites are here to stay.
Using social networking sites for business use is a tricky subject. Many have embraced the concept, realizing that through this accumulation of people, potential opportunities could arise. Other’s have built business around these networking sites, such as dating networks, and consumer goods. On the other hand, there are companies who have shied away from using such sites, even taking steps to ban the usage of sites at work.

Recruitment is also another industry that has made use of these sites. Organisations such as Barclays and Microsoft have utilized these sites for recruitment campaigns, and sites that have common interest networks, such as location, skills, hobbies and employers etc, allowing recruiters to hone in on demographical areas, and maximising the quality of their response.
Many recruiters and HR professionals alike have been drawn to using these sites as a means of information gathering on a candidate’s suitability for roles they are recruiting for.
Indeed, many of us have met people who seem ideal for a role, and have been surprised at how they have turned out. However, there are two schools of thought on the use of these sites for recruitment purposes. Some think it’s a great tool to see if a candidate indicates that they "actively" looking for a new role, and others think it’s a mine-field that should be steered well clear of.

Some of the main arguments for and against are:

For:

1. The amount of relevant candidates that can be found.
2. If done properly, these sites are great for "sourcing". By sourcing, we are not talking about background checks or vetting, but merely looking for candidates in the right location, with the right skills or working for competitors of the company we are resourcing for.
3. The benefits of creating a company page on sites such as MySpace and Facebook to promote your com-pany and the advantages to both active and passive jobseekers alike.

Against:

1. Comments made by other people, photographs placed on the profile page etc may make connotations to a person’s character. Human nature dictates that it is difficult to not let such information influence our decision making, therefore you may discriminate against the candidate based on information that you discover.
2. Data Protection Act (DPA) breaches. Sensitive data including an individual’s race, political opinions, can be highly visible on social networking sites and on individual’s profiles.
3. As per DPA, you should only assess a candidate’s suitability for a role using specific information, such as experience, qualifications etc, not as a means of general information gathering.

In conclusion, social networking sites are a fantastic tool that is potentially invaluable in the sourcing process if used correctly. But before plunging, here are a few top tips:

• Utilise these sites only for sourcing candidates. The sourcing process is about finding people that have the right profile. Use your skills as recruiters and HR professionals to make assess the suitability of a candidate based on upon a pre-determined set of criteria such as geography, qualifications, skills, industry experience, salary expectations etc, and remember that the purpose of interviews, psychometric testing, referencing etc is to ensure we find the best fit.
• Take the time to set out a process of simple, logical steps for using these sites for recruitment purposes. Doing this will ensure that you protect both yourself and potential candidates against data protection and discrimination issues.
• Don't start uploading details you've found into your candidate database until you have the potential candidate's permission to do so.

Business Systems Manager - Unix, Windows, Oracle, Scientific

Business Systems Manager with familiarity with managements systems like Oracle (or equivalent) and Windows and Unix operating systems is urgently required. You will have experience of IT/IS systems and applications , systems analysis , strategic and business planning.You will be responsible for management and leadership of teams and individuals, resource provision, technical analysis and planning.You will drive the development of software applications, including advising on new and enhanced approaches and technologies. Your remit will span systems for quality control, scientific record keeping, project management and sales. Any experience within a scientific or research environment would be highly desirable. This is an excellent opportunity, so please do send through a detailed CV ASAP. G & G Recruitment is working as an Employment Business.

Patients left untreated at Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust

Dozens of patients at a north London hospital went untreated for at least six months after the hospital introduced IT systems under the NHS's £12.7 billion National Programme for IT, Computer Weekly has learned.

Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust did not see or treat patients within government-imposed 26 week limits following difficulties with its roll-out of the Cerner Millennium Care Records Service.

The trust was the first in the capital to go live with the system under the National Programme for IT [NPFiT].

Staff at Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust were unaware of the problem for up to five months. This was because the trust could not produce monthly information on patients who had been waiting too long for treatment following the roll-out.

A trust board paper said: "The introduction of a new Patient Administration System meant the [Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS] Trust was unable to produce monthly waiting time data between July 2007 and January 2008."

"The production of the waiting time data in February revealed a significant number of waiting time breaches which had occurred there were 63 inpatient breaches."

Barnet and Chase Farm hospitals had 8,500 extra complaints from patients, largely because of delays in making follow-on appoinments after introducing the Cerner Millenium Care Records Service.

The hospital did not re-admit patients whose operations were cancelled at the last minute, within 28 days, as required by government guidelines.

Computer Weekly has learned that a surveillance system - for tracking patients whose operations were cancelled at the last minute by the hospital for non-clinical reasons - was not working in the Cerner Care Records Service.

As a result, at least 18 patients were not re-admitted within a month of the hospital cancelling their operations. The government has set a target that patients should be re-admitted within 28 days of their operations being cancelled.

The trust has sent an explanation of the problems with the patient administration system, and its effect on targets, to the Healthcare Commission, the NHS's regulator.

The trust has also contacted the patients who had been waiting more than 26 weeks. The trust has reported that many of the affected patients have now been treated. And it has given its local primary care trust, at Enfield, an assurance that it now has a system for tracking patients to ensure they are seen within the target waiting times.

Despite the delays in treating patients, Barnet and Chase Farm hospitals had under-used capacity - which is likely to mean under-used operating theatres and wards - in April and May this year, according to a paper to the trust's board last month.
It said: "The ongoing technical patient administration issues have caused problems with scheduling and admission of patients. In April and May the Trust had unutilised capacity arising from this issue."

Implementations in London and the south of England of the US Cerner system - which is only partially modified for use in the UK - has caused disruption at several trusts including the Royal Free at Hampstead, Barts, where some cancer appointments were delayed.
Geoff Martin of London Health Emergency, a group which campaigns on NHS matters, said: "You cannot have operations cancelled at the last minute in these kinds of numbers."

Richard Harrison, Consultant Gastro-intestinal Surgeon and Medical Director at Barnet and Chase Farm Hopsitals NHS Trust said: "You can test the system but you will only find out some of the complexities of operating it when you put it into real life."

Barnet and Chase Farm executives say the Cerner system requires staff to change the way they work. They said they have found it can take much longer to do things that were straightforward before.

There have also been problems with the system. They said many of the problems have been solved and extra staff have been brought in which has helped to ensure that processes run quicker.

NHS Connecting for Health which runs part of the NPfIT said: "Teething problems are to be expected. However, it is clear that the patients and clinicians are beginning to see the potential benefits of the system."

Some officials will regard the patients affected at Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust as the unfortunate few victims of an IT-based strategy which will eventually help to improve safety, care and health. But others will say that the Department of Health should not embark on go-lives when they know there is a likelihood the health of some patients could suffer as a result.

* - Article from Computer Weekly