LOCKDOWN is lifting and job vacancies also have lift-off.
The number of available jobs is now three per cent ABOVE the pre-pandemic figure, as the economy bounces back.
? Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest updates
There are more than 900,000 advertised roles for the second week in a row, with top hiring sectors including IT, construction, healthcare, engineering and teaching.
Meanwhile the battered retail sector is also roaring into action.
The opening of non-essential shops this week has seen more than 15,000 jobs up for grabs.
Andrew Hunter, co-founder of job search engine Adzuna, said: “This is the healthiest hiring environment we have seen in a year.”
Here are just some of the firms that are looking to hire, with more than 43,000 jobs right here . . .
- Cera Care has 11,404 vacancies including for personal care workers and healthcare assistants. Apply at ceracare.co.uk/careers.
- Barchester Healthcare has 3,581 jobs on offer at jobs.barchester.com.
- Amazon needs 2,699 new employees. Visit amazon.jobs/en for further details.
- Newcross Healthcare Solutions has 2,277 vacancies. Registered nurses earn up to £25.63 an hour. See newcrosshealthcare.com/jobs to learn more.
- Food service company Compass Group has 1,471 open roles including for chefs and waiting staff. Check them out now at compass-group.co.uk/join-the-family.
- Engineering firm Jacobs has 1,441 vacancies at careers.jacobs.com.
- Delivery company Yodel needs 1,186 couriers, HGV drivers and managers. See yodelopportunities.co.uk.
- Infrastructure giant AECOM has 1,012 roles to fill — see aecom.com/careers.
- Hotel and restaurant company Whitbread has 769 jobs going, including for chefs, housekeeping staff and team leaders. Visit whitbreadcareers.com
- Accountancy jobs abound too. EY has 963 roles at ey.com/en_uk/careers while PWC needs 952 new starters — check out pwc.co.uk/careers.html.
- And there is plenty more. If you are looking for a retail role, there are over 15,500 at adzuna.co.uk/jobs including 1,400 at Boots, 1,347 with Specsavers and 1,625 at Next.
Extra help
NEED some help getting back to work?
Log on to the Redundancy Recovery Hub.
Packed with advice, interviews and video tutorials, the site also offers redundancy coaching from leading career coaches.
Spokeswoman Paula Gardner said: “The hub is a members’ club for people who have been made redundant, or found their work has disappeared.”
Rapper masterclass
WANT to make it big in music? Now is your chance to learn from some of toay’s leading young stars.
Rappers including Ghetts, Young T and Bugsey, IAMDDB and Ray BLK are performing a free online concert on April 22.
They will also share their career stories, motivational tips and networking advice in exclusive on-demand video content.
Hosted on YouTube by Apprenticeship Nation and BT, the gig will raise awareness of diverse career paths.
Ray BLK said: “Coming from an underprivileged back-ground myself, in a council home with a single parent, pushed me to be my best and made me determined to create a better future for myself. I want young people, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds, to have those opportunities too.”
Search “Apprenticeship Nation” on YouTube for more information or you can find out all about it if you visit apprenticenation.co.uk.
Get back to work in safety
STAYING safe will be key as we slowly return to workplaces.
Phil Day, of online pharmacy Pharmacy2U, reveals some steps you can take . . .
- CHECK WHAT HAS CHANGED IN THE OFFICE. Do you need to enter by a different door? Are face coverings compulsory? Are masks and hand sanitizer provided or do you need to take your own? Are there now one- way systems and cleaning stations?
- KEEP YOUR DISTANCE: Your co-workers are not your household. Do not shake hands, take the stairs instead of a cramped lift, and respect distance in meetings and communal areas.
- BE HYGIENIC: Disinfect your desk, screen, phone, keyboard and mouse regularly. Do not touch your face more than you need to, and wash your hands regularly and when you first enter the building. Opening windows can help, letting in fresh air.
- SOCIALLY DISTANCE ON YOUR COMMUTE: To ensure your travel is as safe as possible, wear a face mask and socially distance from others while on buses or trains.
- KEEP TALKING: Lockdown has had a huge impact on both physical and mental health. Keep speaking with colleagues and your line manager about how you are feeling when you return to the office.
Jobspot
- ENERGY firm EON is recruiting for 100 roles including electricians and roofers as well as safety assessors and customer service staff. See eon-uk-careers.com
- SME? List your jobs for free on the Sun Jobs Site. Visit jobs.thesun.co.uk to get started.