Business degrees set to become more valuable in 2012

A survey of employers conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) has found that graduates of MBA programmes and other Masters degrees related to business could find their job prospects improve in 2012.

Every year the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) canvasses companies and organisations throughout the world about job prospects and salaries for those with business-related degrees. The most recent study consulted 216 companies and organisations and found a notable increase in those planning to hire recently graduated management students in the coming year. Nearly three-quarters of the companies surveyed plan to hire MBAs in 2012, up from 58 per cent in 2011. Nearly four times as many companies are planning to increase the number of MBAs they hire in 2012, while more than half of employers expect to recruit people with a Masters in management or another specialised subject. Overall, there may also be more jobs out there for business school graduates. The survey reveals that companies plan to boost the number of positions available in 2012. The barometer is rising for remuneration too: 32 per cent of companies aim to increase salaries for MBAs joining them, and 65 per cent are planning to keep starting salaries at the same level as 2011.

"These figures bear out the fact that, in recessionary times, you can only cut costs so far," explains Dave Wilson, CEO of GMAC, talking from its headquarters in the USA. "What we are seeing in the marketplace here, and I suspect in Europe also, is that companies have cut as far as the bone and can go no further. As they start to grow and retool, they will need to bring in the best possible talent. That's where the MBA and Masters graduates become particularly attractive in providing exceptional players who can come in hitting the ground running. If you can bring someone in on 3 January who starts being productive immediately, it makes sound economic sense. While much of the world grapples with economic uncertainty, our survey shows there is cautious optimism in the market that we are starting to come out of the economic downturn. When that happens, you have to have players who are going to grow and thrive with that market. If hiring projections for this coming year remain robust, the class of 2012 can look forward to entering a markedly improved job market when they graduate."

Although the majority of the companies responding were based in the USA, Wilson believes the survey still has value for graduates applying for jobs in Europe. "The jobless recovery in the US is starting to happen and companies are looking to grow. It's true that the US is a little more optimistic than Europe, yet many of the American companies surveyed recruit worldwide. I also feel upbeat about the European job scene too."

The view from a major recruiter of graduates in the UK appears to support Wilson's level of optimism. Paul Stephenson, graduate recruitment partner at the accountancy and professional services group Deloitte, explains: "The 2011/12 recruitment season has been a positive one for us and the firm's potential recruits. During the downturn, Deloitte's hiring targets for graduates stayed at approximately the same level and over the past two years have increased to 1,200. We offer careers in 21 offices across the UK and have seen an increase in applications."

Visit the Words Worth Reading Ltd website to see the comprehensive job seeker packages we offer.

Prepare to be scrutinised at university open days

Thanks to the Guardian for this informative article…

If you go to a university open day, be on your guard: the admissions tutors may be weighing you up already.

The approach of open day used to mean it was time for Britain's campuses to be scrubbed until they shone, then plastered with information about course subjects and extracurricular activities. Nowadays, it's just as likely to be potential students who dress up and gen up for open day. With demand for places on many courses remaining high despite newly increased tuition fees, admissions tutors now see the open day as an early chance to hunt for undergraduates who stand out from the crowd.

That's why the first rule of the day for applicants is to censor mum and dad. "One of the things that stands out about the prospective student is someone who comes up and chats to you, where they do the talking, not their parents," says Linda Thompson, faculty director at Staffordshire University. "Too many students turn up at open days, pick up literature and attend presentations – but don't speak to anyone. Or they let their parents do all the talking."

Take a deep breath and speak to those scary-looking tutors: they're almost always very friendly. But work out what you're going to ask or discuss beforehand to avoid making a bad impression or – almost as bad – none at all. "Tutors don't remember people from open days unless they are particularly special," says Philip Davies, assistant director of higher education at Bournemouth and Poole College. "To be memorable, make sure you really know about the place you are visiting. Standard students' questions address what the course is like, what the accommodation is like and what it's really like to study there. But unusual ones ask interesting questions about the subject itself."

Save those questions about how many lectures there are and how much face-time each student receives for the undergraduate taking you on a tour – they are just as likely to know the answer. Save the few minutes you might secure with academics to ask snappy questions about things you're learning at school that you're looking forward to investigating at university, or subject-related ideas you've seen on an intellectual TV programme or read about in a newspaper or book.

The best time to speak to a tutor may be at the end of the mini lectures that many open days now include. But remember, Davies adds: "If you definitely want to go to a particular university and want to make an impression, you need to find the right person – the admissions tutor who will be making the offers. Ask who does that – it will not be obvious – and don't waste your time on anyone else."

Your next task is to "get the tutor to remember your name so that they can relate to you when they read your Ucas application later on," says Davies. "As an admissions tutor, I want to hear that a student is particularly interested in coming to my institution, and that I would be top of their list of choices. Ucas forms don't let you know this information, so being able to convey your very strong interest to a tutor is one of the advantages of going to an open day."

Other admissions experts say that students who take a couple of trips to the campus can boost their chances of getting a place. Thompson at Staffordshire explains: "I remember one student specifically from last year because she attended several open days – first a year earlier than most, then again a year later."

Dress-wise, while it's a good idea to look presentable at open days, academics point out that course interest will always be more important.

"For me, the key thing is to have a clear reason why you want to study the course," says Malcolm Whitworth, admissions tutor at the University of Portsmouth. "I'm most impressed with students who have a clear career plan, which the course forms part of. I always ask them, 'why this course and what are your plans?'"

Nowadays many students are following up on open days with tweets, emails or even videos to make sure they're not forgotten before admissions decision day. "One recent candidate for a performing arts course emailed me the day after the open day to give me a link to a YouTube video he had made of himself dancing," says Nigel Ward, admissions tutor in performing arts at Anglia Ruskin University. That's probably less relevant for scientists or psychologists, but Ward adds: "Body popping is not quickly forgotten..."

His colleague, IT admissions tutor Tony Carter, agrees that post-open day contact is becoming a trend. "We certainly do remember applicants from open days and are often in communication with them after the event to answer any questions they may not have thought of during the day," he says. The students who are likely to benefit most from making a splash at open days are, according to Pauline Start, admissions tutor for courses in built environment at Anglia Ruskin, those who might not get into a course 'on paper' alone. "The memorable students can be those who do not meet the requirements but [at open day] ask about alternative routes to the degrees, and then return to us, having met the requirements in other ways," she says.

With tutor expectations so high, it's little surprise that today's students are putting in extensive effort before open days. "Of course," Start adds, "I would expect them to ask the usual questions about the course such as content, accreditation, employability and accommodation – but it's also good to see that they have done some 'homework', too."

Visit Words Worth Reading Ltd’s website to see how we can help you create an attention grabbing application!

The Waterstones 11

Waterstones have released a list of their 11 most promising young novelists, coining them ‘the literary ones to watch’. The list champions debut authors who are expected to make an impact over the next 12 months.

Writers featured in last year’s list went on to win awards and feature in the best-seller charts: Tea Obrecht (The Tiger’s Wife), Stephen Kelman (Pigeon English) and Sarah Winman (When God Was A Rabbit) all featured.

The list is open to debut authors whose books are published in English, and is not restricted to British-based writers. Eowyn Ivey, author of The Snow Child, works in a bookshop in Alaska.

Janine Cook, chair of the Waterstones 11 selection committee, said: “Is this a golden age of female writing? The presence of eight female writers out of 11 on our list might indicate so. Whatever their gender, this year’s Waterstones 11 have a lot to live up to given the success, both critically and commercially, of last year’s list. But I have no worries on that count - these are all truly wonderful novels.”

The Waterstones 11

Jenni Fagan - The Panopticon

Patrick Falnery - Absolution

Frances Greenslade - Shelter

Chad Harbach - The Art of Fielding

Eowyn Ivey - The Snow Child

Rachel Joyce - The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

Grace McCleen - The Land of Decoration

Anna Raverat - Signs of Life

Charlotte Rogan - The Lifeboat

Karen Thompson Walker - The Age of Miracles

Will Wiles - Care of Wooden Floors

Are you a budding novelist? Check out the Words Worth Reading Ltd website to find out how we can help you write your debut book!

Sri Lankan writer wins $50,000 for his debut book

Shehan Karunatilaka’s debut book, Chinaman: The Legend of Pradeep Mathew, was celebrated in an award ceremony at the DSC Jaipur Literature Festival. Shehan's win was the result of a unanimous decision by the jury.

Ira Pande an member of the jury said “The speech rhythms of smaller towns and indigent characters, so seldom seen and heard, are brought alive by a writer who handles character and speech with consummate ease. That world has long needed a suitable metaphor and he has discovered it: Cricket. Set in Sri Lanka, as an epic search for a lost player, Chinaman by Shehan Karunatilake is both a portrait of a lost way of life and a glimpse into the future this vast and vivid region is fated to occupy.”

Looking to write your debut book? Have a look at the comprehensive and supportive writer’s packages Words Worth Reading offer on our website.

CQC fee consultation begins

The Care Quality Commission have launched a consultation on propose changes to fee for 2012-2013. The changes would affect NHS primary care trusts, the Health Protection Agency, NHS Blood and Transplant and NHS Direct.

The CQC state "The services provided by NHS primary care trusts have reduced significantly over the last year, and fees for the other three organisations were disproportionately affected by changes we made to our last fees scheme."

"Our aim in consulting is to ensure that the fees these providers pay are proportionate to the services they deliver and the costs of their regulation."

Members of the public, organisations affected and other stakeholders are invited to take part in the consultation online.

The consultation will run from 23 January to 20 February 2012.

For support and advice on any part of your CQC registration contact a member of the Words Worth Reading Ltd team

January 2012 newsletter available online now!

Words Worth Reading Ltd's January Newsletter is now available for free download!

Salman Rushdie steps out of Jaipur Literary Event

Threats of an assassination plan by Mumbai gangsters have forced the writer to confirm that he will withdraw from the festival

In a statement, he said: 'For the last several days I have made no public comment about my proposed trip to the Jaipur Literary Festival at the request of the local authorities in Rajasthan, hoping that they would put in place such precautions as might be necessary to allow me to come and address the Festival audience in circumstances that were comfortable and safe for all.

'I have now been informed by intelligence sources in Maharashtra and Rajasthan that paid assassins from the Mumbai underworld may be on their way to Jaipur to 'eliminate' me. While I have some doubts about the accuracy of this intelligence, it would be irresponsible of me to come to the Festival in such circumstances; irresponsible to my family, to the festival audience,and to my fellow writers. I will therefore not travel to Jaipur as planned.'

The Satantic Verses, Salman Rushdie's controversial 1988 novel that sparked a fatwa against the author by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, is banned in India.

Mr Rushdie is hoping to address the festival via video link.


Thanks to writers-online.co.uk for this story!

Protest 'blackout' in response to US piracy laws

Websites including Wikipedia and Wordpress went offline this week in a 24-hour protest against two bills about copyright infringement being considered by Congress

The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and Protect Intellectual Property Act (PIPA) have been designed to combat sites using unauthorised copyright material. If they became law, content owners would have the power to request court orders to shut down sites associated with piracy.

Opponents of the anti-piracy legislation include major sites including Google, Yahoo, Facebook, eBay and LinkedIn. President Obama's technology advisors went on record at the weekend as saying that they would not support legislation that reduces freedom of expression, increases cyber security risks and 'undermines the dynamic, innovative global internet.' The White House will not be backing aspects of both SOPA and PIPA.

Wordpress and Wikipedia are encouraging users to support the protest.

Thanks to writers-online.co.uk for this story!

Morecambe Bay Foundation Trust under CQC investigation

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) are currently investigating the delivery of emergency care at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust.

The investigation will look at what happens to patients when they arrive at an accident and emergency department and the subsequent care they receive. It will explore whether there are problems with the trust’s procedures and what it should do to achieve sustainable improvements.

The investigation comes after an inspection of accident and emergency services in December 2011 which revealed concerns about the trust’s ability to proactively identify and mitigate risks.

During the investigation, the CQC will be seeking the views of staff, patients, members of the public and stakeholders. They will also be working with Monitor and the Strategic Health Authority to ensure that their findings are addressed with appropriate action.

Debbie Westhead, CQC North West Regional Lead said: “This investigation will allow us to take an in-depth look at the care patients receive as they enter the hospitals for emergency care, and at what happens to them subsequently. It aims to help the trust make sure it is providing sustainable good quality care.”

Ms Westhead also stressed that local people should continue to use accident and emergency services if they need to. If CQC felt there were immediate threats to the safety of patients, it would take immediate action.

For support with CQC registration and compliance, take a look at the Words Worth Reading Ltd healthcare services.

Haringey care home closes

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has annouced that 36 Roseberry Gardens, a care home in Haringey, North London has closed after falling short of the essential standards of quality and safety.

During two unannounced inspections last year, our inspectors found that the home was failing to meet 11 of the essential standards that people are legally entitled to expect.

Key findings

During the inspections, we witnessed:

• one of the providers loudly reprimanding a person living at the home for assisting us with our inspection.
• poor standards of cleanliness.
• a lack of safety precautions around potential fire risks.

For support with CQC registration and compliance, speak to one of Words Worth Reading Ltd's Healthcare Experts

An architecture graduate who has discovered a new career in Moray could provide motivation and advice for many others in difficult times.

Thanks to STV for this story...

An architecture graduate who has discovered a new career in Moray could provide motivation and advice for many others in difficult times. Adam James, 23, completed his University studies earlier this year alongside partner Nikki Robinson. While Nikki obtained a job as a teacher at New Elgin Primary School, that in itself provided a dilemma for the young couple as they took their first tentative steps into working life in Moray.

In the face of a struggling economy, Adam set about trying to find work when the couple arrived last summer but he quickly had to accept that there were simply no posts available in Architecture.
Alongside all of his compatriots during four years of University study Adam had been unable to obtain any kind of work experience and that merely made finding a job all the more unlikely. Undaunted he got to work in getting his name around likely employers and refused to give in even when only one, CM Design, invited him in for a chat. They did not have a job available either, but were intrigued enough by the clear determination of the young job seeker to chat with him about his future options.

After talking with managing director Craig Mackay, Adam said that he would rather gain work experience than sit at home waiting for the phone to ring, and so asked if CM Design might help him. A desk was found and Adam set out learning the skills and practices of the industry in the hope that this would help when the market turned for the better and jobs again became available. Fortunately for Adam, the wait ended after just a month. Staff at CM Design were so impressed that when new work came into the office they immediately offered Adam a job.

Craig Mackay said: “I think that others looking for work at the moment can perhaps take some encouragement from Adam’s story, and what they can do to get a foot in the door wherever they can.
“These are tough times that require determination and imagination to get ahead. We are delighted that Adam persevered in our case.”

The story got even better for the young couple, as bolstered by the confidence of having a new job Adam proposed to his partner Nikki, and the couple are now engaged to be married and setting down strong roots for a long-term future in Moray

For help and support with job seeking, contact the Words Worth Reading Ltd team.

Winning student blogger suggests pay as you go lectures

The winner of a student writing competition, Luke Braidwood, says that “Pay-as-you-go lectures would give us real choice. Turn us into consumers if you must, but at least give us the right to decide what we pay for.”

The writing competition launched by the Education Guardian and Ones to Watch, the website that showcases the best UK student journalism, asked the question:

"With fees tripling to £9,000 a year at most universities, is it inevitable that the student will become a consumer?"

What to see your writing published too? Check out our good value, comprehensive writing packages on the Words Worth Reading website.

Click here to read Luke’s entry.

Cosmetic surgery clinics to register with CQC

It has been announced that all independent clinics and hospitals that provide cosmetic surgery must be licensed with the Care Quality Commission to provide services.

The CQC released the following statement:

To help ensure that patients are treated safely, and to reduce the risk of poor practice, anyone who provides any of the following cosmetic procedures must be registered with us by law.

• Any type of cosmetic surgery involving full or local anesthetic.
• Treatments that use lasers, such as refractive eye surgery.
• Laser lipolysis (such as Smart Lipo).

We only license and regulate cosmetic treatments that involve surgical procedures. We do not regulate the following services.

• Muscle relaxing injections, for example Botox®.
• Remodelling techniques using cells, tissue or synthetic products (dermal fillers).
• Chemical peels.
• Non-surgical laser and intense light treatments (such as hair removal).

Contact the Words Worth Reading Ltd team for support with any aspect of your CQC registration.

Michael Jackson's Robert Burns songs to be released

Singer's collection of showtunes inspired by Burns's poetry could be donated to a Scottish museum

A Scottish museum may soon be home to one of Michael Jackson's unreleased albums. More than a decade after Jackson and David Gest recorded songs based on the poetry of Robert Burns, Gest reportedly intends to donate the recordings to the poet's official museum in Ayrshire.

In a career of peculiar projects, it remains one of the singer's strangest: a collection of showtunes inspired by Burns's life and work. The songs have never been made public – it was either overlooked or forgotten in the Jackson estate's search for unreleased material.

Now, after a visit to the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, Gest has reportedly agreed to donate Jackson's most Scottish songs. "[David] offered to look them out and provide copies [for us]," museum director Nat Edwards told the List. The museum hopes to "produce some sort of CD", as a fundraiser. "[It would] be a way of getting audiences interested in Burns and illustrating his international, enduring artistic legacy," Edwards said.

Gest explained in a recent TV documentary for BBC Alba that he and Jackson were Burns fanatics. "I said to Michael, let's do a play [based on] Burns's life and he said he would help me with the music." Jackson ended up hiring musicians and borrowing the studio at the Jackson family home in Encino, California. "Michael believed in the project so much," Gest said. "We took about eight or 10 of Burns's poems and put them to contemporary music, such as A Red Red Rose, Ae Fond Kiss and the story of Tam O'Shanter."

Although the collaboration was first revealed in 2008, it seems to have taken place in the late 80s. They originally intended to stage a musical, Gest said, produced by actor Anthony Perkins and directed by Gene Kelly. Plans were scuppered after Perkins's death in 1992. Kelly died in 1996. That year, Gest premiered a play based on Burns's life, Red Red Rose.

Are you a ‘budding Burns’? Contact the Words Worth Reading Ltd team to find out how we can support you with your poetry writing.

Thanks to the  Guardian for this story.

Detective writer Reginald Hill dies

The author of the Dalziel and Pascoe detective books, Reginald Hills has died at the age of 75.  A teacher before becoming a full-time writer, Hill won the Crime Writers Association's Golden Dagger in 1990 for Bones and Silence, and five years later the Diamond Dagger for the series.

Hill's first book, A Clubable Woman, was published in 1970 and in 2010 it was shortlisted for the Lost Man Booker Prize.

Hill’s detective series about Andrew Dalziel and Peter Pascoe, was turned into a popular television series in 1996 and starred Warren Clarke and Colin Buchanan.

Hill was hailed as a "fine writer and a great wit" by fellow crime author Ian Rankin.

Crime writer Mark Billingham also paid tribute to Hill, a writer he said he admired and looked up to. He described him as "one of the most lovely men you could ever meet" and "an amazing writer" still at the height of his powers.

CQC publishes 10 reports following review of services for individuals with learning disabilities

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) today publishes ten reports from a targeted programme of 150 unannounced inspections of hospitals and care homes that care for people with learning disabilities. The first five reports were published in December.

The programme is looking at whether people experience safe and appropriate care, treatment and support and whether they are protected from abuse. A national report into the findings of the programme will be published in the Spring.

The ten inspections were of hospitals that provide assessment and treatment services.

Inspections were focused on two outcomes relating to the government’s essential standards of quality and safety: the care and welfare of people who use services, and safeguarding people who use services from abuse. Of the ten locations inspected:

• four locations were compliant with both outcomes (although two have been told to make improvements to make sure they continue to comply)
• two locations had moderate concerns with both outcomes
• no major concerns were found at any of the locations.

Specifically, in relation to the care and welfare of people who use services, four locations were compliant, one had minor concerns and five had moderate concerns.

In relation to safeguarding, eight locations were compliant and two had moderate concerns.

CQC inspectors were joined by ‘experts by experience’ – people who have first hand experience of care or as a family carer and who can provide the patient or carer perspective as well as professional experts in our learning disability inspections.

Where inspectors identified concerns, they raised these immediately with the providers and managers of services.

All the services where concerns are identified must tell the CQC how and when they will improve. Those failing to meet essential standards could face enforcement action by the regulator if improvements are not made.

The national report will be based on the findings from all the 150 inspections and will make conclusions about the overall state of this type of service.

For more information head to cqc.org.uk!

Ingenious things to do with old books in the digital age

Thanks to Writer's News for this story!

As more and more people turn to e-readers, old books are being increasingly repurposed into art works

An interesting piece in the Sydney Morning Herald looks at different ways in which artists and craftspeople are using books in their work. Not only are old books are being turned into furniture, jewellery and handbags, but also sculpture and fine art.

For those who would like to recycle old books into something useful and beautiful, American artist Lisa Occhipinti has published a book called The Repurposed Library, which includes projects for turning old books into boxes, clocks and even an attractive cover for an e-reader.

Alternatively, you could stick to the tried-and-tested route, and simply read them.

The Sydney Morning Herald piece is here: www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/homestyle/extended-shelf-life-20120105-1plm7.html

McDonalds' big book give away!

Titles by the War Horse author will be handed out as part of the fast food chain's Happy Meal deal from today to 7 February

The books will be six titles from Michael Morpurgo's Mudpuddle Farm series. Each book will come with a free finger puppet.

The promotion follows research released by the National Literacy Trust last year that revealed that one in three children in the UK do not own a book.

'We are very supportive of McDonald’s decision to give families access to popular books, as its size and scale will be a huge leap towards encouraging more families to read together,' said National Literacy Trust director Jonathan Douglas.

The McDonalds promotion is supported by TV presenter and father-of-two Jeff Brazier, who said: 'Reading was a big part of my childhood. A real treat for me was sitting down with football annuals and comic books that I'd bought with my granddad. Knowing what a head start it gave me, I now try to read as much as I can with my boys. Reading to them at bedtime is the perfect end to their day.'

Michael Morpurgo's War Horse made headline news this week when Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, was reduced to tears during the premiere of Steven Spielberg's film version.

Jobs boost for Dublin and Limerick

As reported on rte.ie...

Cloud computing company Workday has announced plans to expand its presence in Europe and the Middle East by creating 100 jobs over the next three years in Dublin.

The expansion of the company is backed by IDA Ireland.

Workday, headquartered in the US, currently employs over 950 people worldwide. It provides enterprise solutions for global human resources and financial managament

The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton, said one of the key aspects of the Government's plan to get jobs and growth into the economy again is by targeting sectors where Ireland has the potential to be a world leader.

''Cloud computing is one such sector. Over the past year we have seen several very significant announcements in this sector and the Tovernment is working hard to ensure that the right policies are in place to ensure that we can take full advantage of that potential,'' he added.
IDA Ireland's chief executive Barry O'Leary said that the country's growing reputation as a leading location for cloud computing is enhanced by today's announcement.

Meanwhile, US-based translation company CETRA is establishing its European Service Centre in Limerick in an investment backed by IDA Ireland. CETRA plans to create 20 jobs in Limerick as a result.

The company will initially set up in the Limerick Institute of Technology Acceleration Centre. CETRA offers translation, localisation and interpretation services to the market research, legal, and life science industries using a global network of professional linguists.

Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation Minister Richard Bruton welcomed the news. "This is a high-growth international company which has chosen to locate in Ireland with the creation of jobs due to the graduate output of one of our universities," he said.

The Minister also said today that Cook Medical, the largest privately owned medical device company in the world, is to invest up to €16.5m over four years creating highly skilled positions in R&D activities at its Limerick site.

Established in Limerick in 1996, Cook Medical's operations here has grown from eight employees to over 630.

''The complexity of the project is a key endorsement of the calibre of personnel working in the Limerick site and further solidifies the company in Ireland. Cook is a significant employer in the Mid-West region and is an important player within the Medical device cluster in Ireland," said IDA Ireland's Barry O'Leary.

Allergan to create 200 Mayo jobs

As reported on irishtimes.com...

Pharmaceutical giant Allergan is to create 200 new jobs in a €350 million investment at its plant in Westport, Co Mayo.

The US multinational, which employs 900 people in Ireland, is expanding to meet growing demand for its Botox product in treatment of migraines and incontinence.

It will take on 200 new staff over the next four years.

It is estimated another 250 jobs will be created indirectly locally during the construction period.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny described the jobs boost as a significant vote of confidence in Ireland. “Developments like this will help us on the path to economic recovery,” he said.

“Allergan’s Westport facility is an important strategic site in their network and contributes more than 50 per cent of global revenues from a range of products manufactured here,” added Mr Kenny, who is a TD for Mayo.

“The expansion of this facility is a much needed boost for the region and will bring further high quality jobs to the west of Ireland.”

Allergan have purchased the technology park next to its Westport facility to allow for the expansion.

Allergan Pharmaceuticals Ireland managing director Pat O’Donnell said the company expected the demand for Botox to continue to grow.

Time is up for temporary staff, say third of bosses

Taken from The Telegraph on line…

A third of employers will sack temporary workers to avoid having to pay them at the same level as permanent staff under new European legislation, research suggests. The first round of job losses is expected to hit workers this month, after the new rules came into force in October 2011.

Many short-term workers will have their employment terminated before completing 12-week trial periods, according to a survey. Under the new EU Agency Worker directive, after this time employers would be forced to give them the same rights and pay as permanent staff.

The survey of 42 recruitment agencies by the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (Apsco) showed that 29 per cent intended to terminate short-term contracts before the trial period was up. Ann Swain, chief executive of Apsco, said “tens of thousands” of workers would be affected. “At a time when unemployment among young people has surpassed one million, any barrier to securing work has to be questioned,” she added. Phil Hutchinson, operations manager at g2 recruitment, said: “Some clients have already begun the process of terminating contracts.”

The law comes into force despite a pledge by George Osborne, the Chancellor, to boost the UK economy by cutting red tape and removing obstacles that stand in the way of growth. The directive was first introduced by the Labour government, then reassessed by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) after the election. Liberal Democrat ministers later announced that it would be implemented as planned. The Government has conceded that it has effectively been forced to introduce the “disappointing” regulations following pressure from trade unions.

Since the decision was taken the economic situation has deteriorated significantly and senior Conservatives are understood to be angered by the change. An analysis of the new laws by BIS revealed that it will cost firms more than £1.8 billion a year, leading to warnings from big employers that they will have to cut jobs. A typical small business will have to pay an extra £2,493 a year, increasing to £73,188 for larger firms. Public sector employers, meanwhile, will have to pay an additional £259  million a year, although the Treasury expects to generate up to £332 million in taxes paid by workers earning more.

Analysts said that if ministers had refused to implement the new regulation they would have faced legal challenges from agency workers.

If you are a job seeker, check out the services that will benefit you on the Words Worth Reading Ltd website.

Care home in Haringey closes after CQC takes action to protect the welfare of people

A care home in Haringey, north London, has closed after enforcement action by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The providers, Mrs Angelina Espino and Mr Jessie Espino, had been registered to provide accommodation and nursing or personal care for up to three people at 36 Roseberry Gardens.

In unannounced inspections in January and July 2011, inspectors found that the home was failing to meet 11 of the essential standards that people are legally entitled to expect. During the second visit, inspectors witnessed one of the providers loudly reprimanding a person living at the home for assisting them with their inspection.

Inspectors were concerned that people were being left unattended by staff despite their being funded for 24 hour care, and there were concerns over lack of safety precautions around potential fire risks, poor medicines management and poor standards of cleanliness.
On 15 November 2011, CQC served a Notice of Decision under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 to remove 36 Roseberry Gardens from the providers' conditions of registration. Mr and Mrs Espino are no longer registered to operate a care home at 36 Roseberry Gardens.
CQC has worked closely with social services at the London Borough of Haringey to ensure the safety and welfare of the two people who were living at the home. The building is now empty.

Matthew Trainer, Deputy Director of Operations (London) of CQC said: “We have acted quickly to ensure the welfare of people living at 36 Roseberry Gardens. Taking action which could lead to the closure of a home is something that we never take lightly, but when we find care as poor as we did in this case we have no choice but to take action to protect the safety and welfare of people.

“It is never acceptable for a provider to raise their voice in an aggressive manner to vulnerable people in their care. We have worked closely with Haringey Social Services to ensure the safety and welfare of the people living at the home. Both have now moved to new accommodation which better meets their needs and we are told this has really improved their quality of life.

“This sends a strong public message that we will not hesitate to take tough action if a provider continually fails to meet the standards for care that everyone has the right to expect.”

Source: Public

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Annual vote of words to be banned

According to the Lake Superior State University's annual survey "Baby bump", "man cave" and "amazing" should all be banished from the English language. The Michigan university receives submissions from around the world and collates a list of the year's worst cases of word abuse.

"Amazing" toped the poll this year with suggestions that it was over-used on television. LSSU said "It seemed to bother people everywhere, as nominations were sent from around the US and Canada and some from overseas, including Israel, England and Scotland.

Gitel Hesselberg, writing in from Haifa, was concerned that "people use 'amazing' for anything that is nice or heartwarming. In other words, for things that are not amazing". A correspondent from British Columbia agreed, saying that "the word which once aptly described the process of birth is now used to describe such trivial things as toast, or the colour of a shirt".

The "word banishment" list has been running since 1975, when it was dreamed up by former LSSU public relations director Bill Rabe at a New Year's Eve party. Although LSSU has received tens of thousands of nominations over the years, its attempt to banish words has, had little effect: that very first list attempted to outlaw the use of "at this point in time", "meaningful", "dialogue", "meaningful dialogue", "implement" and "viable".

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