APSCo social media workshop 17/10/2011
Posted by CBSbutler Ltd in future engineers, jobs, social.Tags: candidates, engagement, social media
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I recently attended a seminar on social media by APSCo which reinforced just how vital it is for consultants to keep up to date with new developments in this area.
Put simply, the job of a recruiter is to find the best employee for a position. As such, industry contacts and expertise have traditionally been the best methods to locate a perfect match. But today consultants are increasingly looking to social media.
LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have over 535 million combined users. That equates to a lot of potential talent for a company. The seminar was a success and focused on how to maximise LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. The key, it appears, when using social media platforms is creating relevance – following and engaging with significant people and creating dialogue.
If recruiters are increasingly looking to source talent via social media, do job seekers need to improve their online presence? We suspect so. Here are our top tips for candidates using social media:
- Google yourself
Remember that any social media profile you have can be found through a simple Google search. Make sure that there is nothing in the public domain that you wouldn’t want a potential employer to see. An unfortunate picture, or an inappropriate discussion with a friend that may have happened years ago could cost you a future job. And if you are using Facebook, a good way to make sure only your friends see what you post is through the privacy settings.
- Make connections
If you’re using LinkedIn, make sure you are connecting with old and new faces. By expanding your network you will be able to access many more potential employers, but also, and importantly, you will be visible and show up in searches. But don’t make the mistake of adding every member of an organisation that you want to work for. Not only do you run the risk of being ignored, you may also ruin your chances of working there by alienating staff members. Be selective in who you send an invitation to connect with.
And if you are using Twitter, start following experts in the field that you are interested in and begin commenting on what they are discussing. This will make you more visible and the more you engage, the more followers you will get.
- Be active
Be active and contribute to online discussions and forums. Provide insight and share your ideas on any bogs you are following, and retweet interesting posts you see on Twitter. Not only will you gain more information, but you may just make some new connections or learn of job opportunities in the process. By joining relevant groups on LinkedIn, you will expand your network. And by commenting on discussions, your ability to be seen by hirer’s will increase, and you will begin to stand out.
- Stay updated
Make sure that all your social media profiles are up to date and current. On LinkedIn don’t forget to add volunteer and internship placements you may have undertaken. This information can only enhance your profile. You should also take advantage of the ‘Recommendation’ options on LinkedIn – get past colleagues, mangers, or clients to recommend your previous work. This will show up on your profile and is a place employers will check when looking at potential candidates.
- Research
Last but by no means least, use social media to research your potential boss. Viewing an organisation’s website is no longer deemed sufficient research. Search your future company’s Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter accounts. Knowing the business will give you an added advantage in your interview and will show that you are resourceful.
Let us know what you think? How has social media helped you in your job search? Do you think that traditional methods are now old hat?
World Skills London 2011 05/10/2011
Posted by CBSbutler Ltd in future engineers.Tags: awards, corporate social responsibility, engineers, skills, training
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The International WorldSkills event is this year taking place in London on 5th-8th October 2011.
Held every two years, WorldSkills represents the excellence of vocational learning. Hundreds of young people from across the globe will gather to test their skills against international standards in a range of expertise including engineering and electronics, web design and fashion and health care.
The four day competition will see over 1000 competitors from 51 countries competing to be the best of the best in their field. Many top employers will be exhibiting and industry experts will be on hand to share insider knowledge and inspire young people who are interested in skilled careers.
One of the biggest categories at the event is the engineering and manufacturing section featuring challenges ranging from Polymechanics / Automation, Mechatronics, Electronics and Mobile Robotics.
The event, which is backed by London Major Boris Johnson, is a great first step in showcasing the benefits of a skilled career to young people. The event is designed to help young people find out more about the industries and provide them with the knowledge to become successful , fulfil their dreams and unlock their potential.
More UK businesses need to start working with schools to highlight the benefits of STEM subjects, at the all important stage in a child’s education – when they are deciding on their GCSE subjects.
We think it’s a great idea to actively encourage more young people into the industry as there is a lack of new talent in general through. Many people have an “outdated” view of the engineering and technology industry which needs to be tackled. Events like WorldSkills will help to encourage the younger generation into the industry and find just how fun a career in engineering can be.
Let us know what you think. Do you think the event will encourage more youngsters into the sector? What more do you think businesses should be doing to help?
Engineering graduates in unskilled jobs 28/09/2011
Posted by CBSbutler Ltd in future engineers.Tags: employees, graduates, Surrey SATRO, talent shortage, training
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A recent report has found that only 46% of engineering graduates are managing to find work in this field, with almost a quarter performing ‘non-graduate’ roles such as shop work and waiting tables.
The research from Birmingham University states that it is “not easy or automatic” for qualified engineers to find related employment in the UK. The findings of the report will come as a surprise to many, as the industry has repeatedly raised concerns about the lack of good quality science and engineering graduates.
However it has been argued that the shortage of graduates employed is a result of the lack of practical workplace experience and employability skills they posses. Graduates now need to do more to develop business skills like team-working and self-management in order to have the best possible chance of finding a job. Therefore UK organisations need to do more to help them by offering more placements to undergraduates to help them gain valuable hands on experience and gain a deeper understanding of the industry. Engineering business could also link with universities to provide employment initiatives to students where they are taught, through a serious of workshops, team building and communication skills that would help them in future employment.
A number of schemes have already been launched (such as EDT, the largest provider of STEM enrichment activities for UK youth) to actively encourage students to take up the subject, as well related fields, like maths and the sciences at an earlier stage of their education to tackle this problem. Here at CBSbutler we support the annual SATRO Science and Engineering Festival, a charity aimed at increasing the number of pupils taking up STEM subjects at GCSE and A-Levels, and then going on to choose a career in this field.
It’s a start. But there’s still a long way to go, so what more can we be doing to help our graduates? Let us know what you think.
Britain’s brain drain 15/09/2011
Posted by CBSbutler Ltd in CBSbutler, future engineers, highly skilled, skills shortages.Tags: engineers, talent shortage
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A report from the immigration think tank MigrationWatch has revealed that more than a million of the highest-qualified and best-trained Britons are moving abroad. The study also exposes that no other country loses as many university graduates through emigration as the UK.
This brain drain has resulted in Britain’s most talented and skilled moving to countries such as Australia, Germany and the US in order to boost their careers. Research from GfK (one of the largest market research companies in the world) suggests that people are driven by a desire to escape the high costs of living and the static wages of the country.
UK businesses face a significant loss of talent just at the time when they need it the most. The UK Border Agency Shortage Occupation list includes civil engineers, mechanical engineers and electrical engineers among others. It has been suggested that not enough efforts are being made to keep the brightest and the best in the country.
The brain drain is apparently higher among younger workers with 36% of those aged 18-29 willing to move. This is already beginning to impact on the UK engineering market in particular, which is now facing problems of an ageing workforce and not enough new talent to cover the deficit.
What needs to be done?
As talent plays an important role in helping a country develop, more needs to be done to keep hold of our skilled workers. The technical and engineering sector needs to cultivate a sense of security and hope among the elite and demonstrate confidence in the UK’s economy. The industry therefore needs to provide more competitive packages to workers to stay in the country such as employers offering subsidised training, and apprenticeships.
Other ways to encourage Britain’s talent into the UK industry could be to offer financial incentives to university students on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) courses, or for engineering graduates to pay less tuition fees than other subjects.
At CBSbutler we are trying to tackle this issue by supporting initiatives that encourage younger people into science, technology, engineering and maths careers. Experiencing firsthand the shortages in the industry, which is set to continue in the following years, we encourage teachers to dispel the myth that these subjects are geeky and discover how fun maths and science can be. Each year we hold an annual Festival of Science and Engineering with SATRO (a charity aimed at increasing the number of pupils taking up STEM subjects) and provide funding, PR promotion and judging support for various school competitions.
Let us know what you think. What more can be done to keep Britain’s talent at home?
Women engineers – where are they? 10/03/2011
Posted by CBSbutler Ltd in CBSbutler, Development, Engagement, Engineering, future engineers, highly skilled, Recruitment, skills shortages, women.Tags: Engineering, engineers, talent shortage, women
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Did you know that only 7% of engineers in the UK are women? This is the lowest number of women professionals in this sector in Europe – compared to 18% in Spain, 26% in Sweden and 20% in Italy. This research has been carried out by the UKRC, the leading UK organisation working to promote women’s participation in science, engineering and technology.
Will apprenticeships help bridge the skills shortages in engineering? 18/02/2011
Posted by CBSbutler Ltd in Apprenticeships, CBSbutler, Engineering, future engineers, highly skilled, Recruitment.2 comments
The numbers of applicants signing up to study engineering at University has increased over the past year. But the fees are rising too. In 2012 they are set to almost double, to at least £7000. Will this have a major impact on students deciding whether to attend further education or carry out vocational training schemes and apprenticeships? I think it most certainly will. (more…)
Jobs market “on road to recovery” – but where are our future engineers? 26/01/2011
Posted by CBSbutler Ltd in CBSbutler, Defence, Engineering, future engineers, KPMG, science, skills shortages.Tags: Engineering, engineers, talent shortage
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A recent report, led by professional services firm KPMG, declares “the jobs market is on the road to recovery”. In particular it states that December saw the biggest increase in demand in 6 months for temporary staff in the engineering sector. The report also shows that employers within this sector are experiencing a shortage of skills in permanent staff.
