DEREK PILCHER INTERVIEWS LABOUR MP ABOUT EMPLOYMENT ISSUES
With just over a week to go until the general election, political party manifestos have been getting released almost on a daily basis, with all of the major organisations saying they will boost employment as the recession recedes. As with any run'up to voting, a lot of these documents are promising big things, but when it comes to executive careers, who will be the ones to deliver?
Last week I got the chance to talk to David Kidney, Labour MP for Stafford and Junior Minister with the Department of Energy and Climate Change, to get his views on how his party will stop unemployment levels climbing and generate more opportunities for high'profile jobseekers. Many opinion polls are predicting a Conservative government to be elected on May 6th, but Mr Kidney knows a little bit about usurping the Tories, having beaten none other than current leader David Cameron to the Stafford seat in 1997. His victory was a big one for Labour as the constituency had previously been predominantly Conservative.
Commenting on the Labour Party's aims for the future, he said the organisation will be taking a "more active role" in the employment market. "We will be directing more help towards companies in areas where there is going to be growth in jobs, such as the low'carbon economy, manufacturing [and] the life sciences," he remarked. According to the politician, unemployment levels have peaked and there are now good indications that vacancies are continuing to rise in a range of sectors.
More importantly, he highlighted what a Labour government will do for executive candidates searching for top'level positions. "In terms of wanting there to be good'quality jobs throughout the economy and throughout the country, we are very keen on stimulating each region of the economy," Mr Kidney explained. It is important that there isn't a skills exodus in the country, he added, so developing high'profile opportunities in all areas is particularly vital.
His comments may be encouraging news for some of you who are hoping the general election may invigorate the jobs market.
Has Mr Kidney's remarks swayed you one way or the other? What qualities do you think a political leader should possess? Please take the time to fill in our quick questionnaire on what you expect from a future leader. .
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TheLadders.co.uk is the UK's leading online recruitment service catering to the hi-end £50K+ job market. Launched in January 2008 the London-based company is the first port of call for senior executives to keep their finger on the pulse of the elite job market, with a suite of services including access to the most £50K+ jobs in one place, links to the UK's biggest corporate employers, agencies and headhunters, CV critiquing and customised profiling, regular email alerts and an environment to prospect for new opportunities within the country's biggest industries ' finance, sales and marketing, legal, technology and operations. TheLadders.co.uk is owned by TheLadders.com. Founded in 2003 by Marc Cenedella TheLadders.com has grown into the largest specialty employment website in the world, with over 1,900,000 members and over 35,000 recruiters. TheLadders.com is headquartered in New York with European headquarters in London. To see more, please visit www.theladders.co.uk