Michel Cournoyer

Spain / Caixabank to cut about 3,000 jobs

CAIXABANK, Spain’s biggest bank as measured by assets under management, plans to slash around 3,000 jobs as part of a restructuring. The Barcelona-based bank said the restructuring was needed following the purchase of smaller rivals Banca Civica and Banco de Valencia, which has caused its staffing levels to soar. “The implementation of this restructuring will … Continue reading →

The most important employable skills in Public Relations

The Flexible Work: What About Telecommuting

Marissa Mayer left Google to tackle what ailed Yahoo. And this week she took on … telecommuting. Yahoos were pleased with the new iPhones and free food from the new boss – a Google-icious touch. But, depending on the speaker, this “bold,” “outrageous,” or “1950s” decree eliminating work from home has stirred up comment, incredulity … Continue reading →

US / Associate’s degree out-earn bachelor’s degree holders

Berevan Omer graduated on a Friday in February with an associate’s degree from Nashville State Community College and started work the following Monday as a computer-networking engineer at a local television station, making about $50,000 a year. That’s 15% higher than the average starting salary for graduates — not only from community colleges, but for … Continue reading →

Over 50 / The new ‘unemployables’

Unemployed workers in their fifties are increasingly finding themselves stuck in limbo. On one hand, they’re too young to retire. They may also be too old to get re-hired. Call them the “new unemployables,” say researchers at Boston College. Older workers were less likely to lose their jobs during the recession, but those who were … Continue reading →

US / Estimated Impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

As required by law, CBO prepares regular reports on its estimate of the number of jobs created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), which was enacted in response to significant weakness in the economy. CBO develops estimates of ARRA’s effects on output and employment by looking at recorded spending to date … Continue reading →

British Gas / To create 1,000 ‘green jobs’

British Gas has unveiled plans to create 1,000 “green” jobs over the next three years for young, unemployed people. The energy giant has teamed up with environmental charity Global Action Plan and consultancy Accenture to provide free training to more than 1,400 young people not currently in education, employment or training. Each person who completes … Continue reading →

Making Yourself Employable

In today‟s graduate market a degree on its own is not usually enough to convince employers that you are worthy of a job. A survey carried out on behalf of the Institute of Directors (IoD) in October 2007 questioned 500 directors to gain their views on the skills and qualities they particularly valued in graduate … Continue reading →

Over-educated / College Degree Required

The college degree is becoming the new high school diploma: the new minimum requirement, albeit an expensive one, for getting even the lowest-level job. Consider the 45-person law firm of Busch, Slipakoff & Schuh here in Atlanta, a place that has seen tremendous growth in the college-educated population. Like other employers across the country, the … Continue reading →

10 ‘New’ jobs of the future

• Digital architect: Designs a selection of virtual buildings for advertisers and retailers to market their products • Home carer: Helps care for elderly people in their own homes • Elderly well-being consultant: Specialises in holistic and personalised care for the elderly • Body part maker: Creates living body parts for athletes and soldiers • … Continue reading →

US / A Well-educated Workforce is a Vital Component of National and Economic Security

Historically, national security includes the strength of our nation’s infrastructure, the foundation upon which the continuous growth of our society depends. This includes our strong societal and moral codes, the rule of law, stable government, social, political, and economic institutions, and leadership. Also included are our nation’s schools and educational programs to ensure a knowledgeable … Continue reading →

Kentuky and Virginia / More than 800 coal jobs

After many rounds of layoffs, hundreds of coal mining jobs are coming back to the region. Officials with Professional Contracting say they are currently looking to fill more than 800 jobs. Ever since Alpha Natural Resources idled four mines and laid off hundreds of workers in January, Its been the word about town. “There was … Continue reading →

Hiring / Employers’ old tech costs talents

The recovering labor market may be facing two new hurdles to faster hiring: smartphones and unsophisticated employers. Highly valued employees are turning to their phones to hunt for jobs, but employers’ outdated tech is throwing a wrench in the process. Some employers’ websites and long applications don’t work well on devices Almost a third of Google … Continue reading →

US / Payroll Tax Hike – Not good for jobs

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. on Thursday joined a parade of retailers, restaurants and consumer-goods companies worried about the economic impact of the recently restored federal payroll tax that has left Americans with less money to spend. The world’s largest retailer, Burger King Worldwide Inc., Kraft Foods Group Inc. and others are lowering forecasts and adjusting sales … Continue reading →

The State of the Minimum Wage

President Obama stressed economic equality and opportunity, focusing particularly on the financial woes of those earning the minimum wage, during his recent State of the Union address. “Even with the tax relief we’ve put in place, a family with two kids that earns the minimum wage still lives below the poverty line. That’s wrong,” the … Continue reading →