UK government to fund 20,000 new apprenticeships, support SMEs

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will pledge to create up to 20,000 more apprenticeships with plans to fully fund training for young people and cut red tape for small businesses.

The prime minister will set out a package of reforms he said "will unlock a tidal wave of opportunity".

The government...

Cyberattack on French employment services could hit 43 million workers

French government employment service France Travail (formerly Pôle Emploi) announced this week that they have been hit by a cyberattack, potentially affecting the personal details of approximately 43 million workers. The attack also impacted Cap Emploi which provides access to, or return to employment,...

Abatech Recruitment acquires St David Recruitment Services

Abatec Recruitment, a recruitment firm based in Somerset, announced the acquisition of St David Recruitment Services, a recruitment firm located in Cardiff.

Financial details were not disclosed.

Abatec said the strategic move strengthens its foothold in the region and broadens its service offerings to...

UK vacancies fall in 2023 as employers rein in hiring

Job vacancy numbers in the UK plummeted last year as firms reacted to uncertainty in the economy, according to the latest report by Broadbean Technology, a network of job boards.

Vacancies fell by 27% in 2023 compared to the previous year, from 1.3 million to 949,000. However, hiring figures are still...

Scottish government contingent worker numbers down in 2023

The number of people working in contingent roles for the Scottish Government declined from the end of December 2022 (1,790) to the end of December 2023 (1,436), a decrease of 354 workers, according to data from Scottish Government Workforce Statistics.

These statistics cover the numbers of workers, staff...

Irish staffing firm is first to lose claim under Sick Leave Act

A maritime staffing agency has become the first company in Ireland found to be in breach of new legislation on sick leave which came into force last year, reports RTE. In a Workplace Relations Commission decision published earlier this week, the staffing agency, North Quay Associates Ltd, was ordered...

EU approves landmark Artificial Intelligence Act

The European Parliament approved its landmark Artificial Intelligence Act introducing obligations for AI based on its potential risks and level of impact.

The regulation aims to “protect fundamental rights, democracy, the rule of law and environmental sustainability from high-risk AI, while boosting...

Openjobmetis full year revenue falls 2.5%, profits edge down

Revenue for Italy-based recruitment firm Openjobmetis SpA amounted to €748.8 million in the full year 2023, down 2.5% when compared to €768.4 million in 2022.

The group said the decrease compared to the previous year reflects the trend of the Italian general contract work market. 

Openjobmetis...

Adecco France fined in long-running hiring discrimination case

Adecco France was fined €50,000 yesterday by a Paris Criminal Court for hiring discrimination and the racial registration of 500 temporary workers between 1997 and 2001, reports Le Monde and news agency AFP. 

Former employees and anti-racist associations accused Adecco France and two of its directors...

Most UK and Irish workers prefer flexible work model

Most professionals in the UK and Ireland prefer to continue working in a hybrid or remote work model, according to research from Morgan McKinley.

In the UK, 93% of respondents expressed a strong preference for continuing in a hybrid or remote work model while this figure stood at 92% for professionals...