Have you seen anything in the news about the closure of a key skills sector organisation - and a major sector to boot? Thought not. Skills for Logistics has issued this notice:
Skills for Logistics to end operations
Skills for Logistics, the sector skills council for the freight logistics industry in the UK, will close its business and is considering about placing the company into administration to facilitate the closure. This has happened due to pressure placed on the business by the trustees of the pension scheme, which SfL joined following its initial set-up in 2003. Like many similar organisations, the significant pension deficit and subsequent on-going recovery payments has placed extreme pressure on a smaller SfL business in a rapidly changing economic environment. Skills for Logistics has worked hard to exist and be effective over the last 2-3 years in the 'new world' of substantially reduced public funding for skills initiatives, and now being required to become 100% funded through employer projects, has struggled to both replace revenue streams and continue to fund pension recovery payments.
The organisation and its business plan have remained reasonably strong, however given the reduced activity level in 2015 and obligations to the pension scheme (particularly in the light a new approach by its trustees), the board felt it would be better to seek alternative options for the continuing industry skills projects.
The board is therefore appointing an administrator and starting to work with our stakeholders to find a natural home for any on-going projects.
Ah, interesting times these. So, with so many channels to check for vacancies - or if you're an employer - how many of those channels can you afford to use? Where do you go? Well, have you thought about using your customers? The places you shop from? Ah, thought not. See what Ikea Australia did:
Do you have the knack? Heavy lifting, that is? We all know someone who has teflon characteristics - e.g. that notorious ex PM Teflon Tony. That's quite a thing to have. But , what if you could be a really effective employee - and do genuine 'heavy lifting' in your role. How can you do that without getting yourself a hernia or exhausing yourself etc etc. Well, it seems there's a technique you need to know about. Let's twist and shout, shall we.......
Who are the people we should avoid in our organisations? Well, it should be no surprise that it maybe the people who do well at interviews. Eh? Yes, that's those people who are manipulating people for their own ends. Oh yes, they can say the right thing when it suits them and lie without guilt when challenged. There's a proper name for them. See this post, and specifically the comments it generated for a fuller picture.
