A quarter of UK employees want to change jobs

Publication date: 10 August 2010
Source: PM Online

A quarter of British adults would like to change their job more than anything else, research has revealed.

More than half (55 per cent) of the 3,000 employees asked wished they could do something completely different in life.

Given the chance to alter one thing, 25 per cent of adults would choose a new job above anything else.

Desire for a new house came second with 19 per cent of the vote, while 16 per cent of respondents wanted to take a step further and move to another country. The inclination to emigrate grows stronger with age, the research said, with 14 per cent of 18- to 24-year-olds selecting this as their primary goal, rising to 21 per cent for the 55-plus age group.

Just a small amount (12 per cent) of adults described themselves as "perfectly happy", with slightly more women reporting overall satisfaction than men, according to research conducted by distance learning provider Home Learning College.

“Some things in life are beyond our control, while other ambitions are very much within reach,” said Dave Snow, academic director of Home Learning College.

“People’s ability to change job is dependent on a range of factors such as experience, qualifications and overall personality.

"If you’re feeling trapped in your current role then you should consider what positive changes can be made to enhance your employability. That might mean gaining new skills through vocational study or volunteering in an area related to your preferred type of work.”

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12 August 2009

Unemployment soars to 14-year high

CIPD warns of additional 2.1 million “hidden jobless” Michelle Stevens

Source: PM Online

Unemployment has risen to its highest level since 1995, with 2.44 million people out of work, according to official figures released today.

The UK unemployment rate now stands at 7.8 per cent – an increase of 2.4 per cent on last year and 0.7 per cent on the past quarter.

Figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS), between April and June 2009, show that 750,000 more people are now jobless compared with the same period last year.

But the CIPD warned that the real number of unemployed people was closer to 4.5 million, once 2.1 million people classed as “economically inactive but who want a job” were taken into account.

John Philpott, CIPD chief economist, said: “The ONS data overall paints a picture of a labour market in deepening distress, continuing to shed jobs at an alarming rate and with the genuine level of joblessness already above 4.5 million.”

Referring to today’s Bank of England quarterly inflation report, which described any possible economic recovery in 2010 as “fragile”, Philpott added: “The best our weak jobs market can look forward to in the near term is an anaemic recovery. And at worst, as the CIPD warned earlier this week, an anaemic recovery might well trigger a further avalanche of redundancies later this year.”

Today’s statistics also indicate a large dip in job availability, with vacancies falling to 427,000 in July – 203,000 less than a year ago.

Young jobseekers continue to struggle, as jobless figures rose to 928,000 in the under-25s age group. Nigel Meager, director of the Institute for Employment Studies, said: “From a longer-term perspective the main concern relates to young people entering the labour market, many of whom will be at the back of the queue for jobs when the economy picks up.”

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Wednesday, February 25th 2009

Qatar Business Women Award announces winners at gala ceremony

The Qatar Business Women Award (QBWA) revealed the winners of its 2008 honors at a gala award ceremony at the Ritz Carlton Island last night.

Winner of the Business Woman Category was Dr. Nawal Saleh Al Alem, General Manager and Owner of Health & Beauty Group. Dr. Muna Al Tamimi, Clinical Scientist at Hamad Medical Corporation, won the Professional Woman Category. Two additional Qatari ladies were awarded in the Professional Woman Category. First runner-up was Mrs. Buthaina Al Ansari, Head of Qatarization Development Program at Al Rayan Investment. Second runner-up was Mrs. Mashael Al Muhannadi, Head of Training & Recruitment at Al Jazeera Children’s Channel.

The award, launched in 2007 under the auspices of Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Misnad, focused on women who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and managerial qualities in their fields. It was organized by the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Qatari Business Women Forum and Qatar Shell. The ceremony was the culmination of a year-long journey to recognize women who contribute to Qatar’s society and economy through their significant professional or entrepreneurial achievements.

The award ceremony was hosted by Mrs. Laila Al Shaikhli, anchorwoman and TV presenter for Al Jazeera Channel. The ceremony featured a spectacular private performance by the famed Cirque du Soleil. H.E. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Jassim Al-Thani, President of Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said of the path to the awards: 'We are here tonight to celebrate a year of events, workshops and preparations. This night is a result of lots of effort and a determination to emphasize the major role women play in the community and their effective role in Qatar’s industry. I congratulate the winners.'

I The Qatar Business Women Award Assessment Panel and Supreme Jury weighed the candidates’ credentials and, although each candidate showed great achievement in her field, the two decision-making bodies were unanimous in their decisions regarding winners of the two categories.

Business Woman winner, Dr. Nawal Saleh Al Alem, established her business in 1994. In the 15 years since, she has expanded her business to include a clinic, pharmacy, spa and popular 'Ideal Diet' retail and catering outlet. This year, she will launch a newly-designed polyclinic. Dr. Mona Al Tamimi, Professional category winner, completed her Ph.D. in Breast Cancer Gene Therapy at Liverpool University in the UK in 2005. She is an enthusiastic advocate of healthcare in Qatar and focuses on developing cancer diagnostic testing improvements, as well as patient communication and information.

The qualifications and accomplishments of the candidates were so impressive that the Assessment Panel and Supreme Jury created two additional award placements for two runners-up in the Professional Woman Category. First runner-up was Mrs. Buthaina Al Ansari, Head of Qatarization Development Program at Al Rayan Investment. The Supreme Jury found that Mrs. Ansari has contributed to the development of the company’s approach to training and life-long learning with her considerable drive, energy and spirit. Second runner-up was Mrs. Mashael Al Muhannadi, Head of Training & Recruitment at Al Jazeera Children’s Channel. Mrs. Muhannadi is a pragmatic and ambitious professional with a track record of challenging business practices in an effort to enhance them, the Supreme Jury said.

The Assessment Panel and Supreme Jury members were present at the ceremony and honored for the considerable time and effort they offered to the QBWA.

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Wednesday, 03 December 2008

QBWA Award Ceremony Delayed

Due to Heightened Security Restrictions Surrounding Qatar's United Nations Conference

The Qatar Business Women Award Organizing Committee announced it has rescheduled its award ceremony - originally planned for December 4th - for February 25th 2009, in an effort to bypass the restrictions and tightened security surrounding the on-going United Nations Conference in Doha.

Launched in December 2007 under the auspices of Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Misnad, The Qatar Business Women Award aims to identify and pay tribute to Qatari women who contribute to Qatar's society and economy through their significant professional or entrepreneurial achievements. The award focuses on women who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and managerial qualities in their fields. The Qatar Business Women Award is a partnership comprising the Qatar Chamber of Commerce & Industry the Qatari Businesswomen Forum and Qatar Shell.

Mrs. Aisha Alfardan, Vice Chairwoman of the Qatari Businesswomen Forum, said of the new award ceremony date, "The Supreme Jury and Assessment Panel deliberations are on-target with their schedules regarding the assessment of the candidates. The Supreme Jury has recently met with the Assessment Panel to evaluate the Panel's recommendations and shortlist the potential 2008 winners. We have chosen to reschedule the award ceremony to avoid the many restrictions in place regarding the current United Nations Conference. We are delighted to announce that the Award Ceremony will now be held on February 25th, 2009, where the 2008 winners will be announced and awarded.

The February 25th Award Ceremony will be held at the Ritz Carlton Island and will be attended by the candidates and influential community leaders. The Oscar-type gala evening will feature a surprise world-class entertainment.

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Monday, October 27 -2008

Qatar Business Women Award 2008 announces the Supreme Jury and Assessment Panel Members

The Qatar Business Women Award 2008 announced today the members of its Supreme Jury and Assessment Panel at a press conference held at the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The press conference was hosted by Mr. Abdul Aziz Abdul Raheem Al-Emadi, Vice-President of Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Mrs. Eman Ghafan Al Basti, Board member of the Qatari Business Women Forum and Mr. Andy Brown, Shell Country Chairman in Qatar.

Launched in December 2007 under the auspices of Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Misnad, the Qatar Business Women Award aims to identify and recognize Qatari women, both professional and business owners, who contribute to the country's society and economy through their significant professional and entrepreneurial achievements. Throughout 2008, The Qatar Business Women Award's organizing committee has held three workshops and six clinics to provide candidates with information and guidance as they applied for the Award.

The Supreme Jury members are: H.E. Sheikh Dr. Khalid Bin Jabor Al-Thani, Vice President of the Permanent Elections Committee, Vice President National Health Authority, H.E. Sheikha Hissa Bint Khalifa Bin Ahmad Al- Thani, Special Rapporteur on Disability for the United Nations Commission for Social Development; H.E. Sheikha Hanadi Bint Nasser Bin Khalid Al-Thani, Founder and Chairwoman of Amwal and presented the Middle East Business Woman Award 2008; Dr. Lulwa Abdullah Al Misnad , Assistant Secretary General for Industrial Investment and Promotion - Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting; Mr. Ahmad Mahdi Al Majed, Chairman of Al Majed Group of Companies, Board Member of National Health Authority and Member of the Board of regents Qatar University, and Mr. Adel Al Mannai, Board member of Qatar Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

Click here for all the updates on Qatar Business Women Awards 2008.

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22 May 2008

DQG and Shell announce winners of EBWA 2008

Shaikh Saeed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum handed out on Tuesday the awards to eight winners of the Emirates Business Women Award (EBWA) 2008 in Business and Professional categories at a gala dinner ceremony held in Grand Hyatt Dubai.

Paris Gallery was appreciated for their support as a Gift Sponsor of the Award, according to a Press release. Shaikh Saeed also gave a special recognition to Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, wife of  His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai; for her dedication and contribution to the development of women.

Raja Al Gurg accepted the trophy on behalf of Princess Haya. Garnering the top EBWA 2008 award during the ceremony was Maryam Sharaf, the Overall EBWA Professional category winner.

Also awarded were Mary Jane Alvero - Al Mahdi, runner-up in the Professional category; Criterion winner Shaikha Azza bin Rashid Al Nuaimi (Leadership); Criterion Winner Dr Nawal Al Hosany (Business, Professional and Career Achievement; Criterion winner Maryam Al Jallaf (Business, Professional and Career Achievement); Criterion winner Haleh Janani (Future Goals and Financial Performance); Criterion Winner Monira Safar (Community Contributions and Participation); and Criterion Winner Mona Al Kandi  (Innovation).

Organisers DQG and Shell, also gave certificates of appreciation to the sponsors, supporters, assessors and jury members of EBWA 2008.

Click here for Picture Gallery

Click here for previous press releases on EBWA 2008

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