Posts Tagged credit crunch

Green jobs will push us out of the credit crunch and away from the carbon crunch

May 15, 2009 at 11:14 am · Filed under green jobs ·Tagged , , , , ,

Somewhat unsurprisingly, Npower’s Business Energy Index revealed this week that 97% of businesses currently prioritise finances over carbon reduction. Though this is not a shock, it is no less short sighted and ultimately, disastrous for businesses.

The high number of businesses that do not prioritise green initiatives is partially explained by the fact that 83% of them feel that the government’s target to reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2050 is unrealistic. This seems logical enough; why waste money attempting to reach a target that is unreachable?

This misses the point, however. Going green, though potentially expensive in the short-term, is a money-saving initiative in the long-run, and, dare I say it, a life-saving initiative. In the next thirty years, fossil fuel prices will simply rise and rise, unchecked, as the industry struggles to meet increasing demand for energy with decreasing resources. There is going to be a massive “carbon crunch” sooner rather than later, which will be far worse than the credit crunch we’re currently moaning about; then we’ll see how many businesses survive.

There are savings in the short-term too. Implementing good practice guides within businesses cost virtually nothing, and will only save businesses money. These guides give employees rules and tips on how to not waste energy through simply reducing their own individual unnecessary consumption. How hard can that be?

The fact is, businesses know this, but refuse to potentially risk their success by going green. 68% of businesses believe that it is still important for the UK to be a leader in reducing global emissions. For that, read, “we don’t want anyone else to be the best at this, but we don’t want to do it ourselves, either.” Something simply has to give, and that something is going to have to be carbon.

Some businesses have already caught on to this and are genuinely doing their best to meet targets. A quick look at the increase in the number of green jobs in the past year – 58% according to some recruitment agencies – shows that even the least traditionally green businesses are bringing in employees to oversee their environmental efforts. Here’s hoping that other businesses catch on before the carbon crunch does.

Author
Rachel Charman, a writer for JuicyJobs; Ethical Jobs UK – an environmentally friendly green job search board which offers free job listings to Environmental, NGO’s, NFP’s and ethical companies promoting green, fair trade services and support sustainable living.  For job seekers Juicyjobs can help you find the ideal ethical job in the UK.

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Will the public sector girls take over in the credit crunch?

March 26, 2009 at 7:00 pm · Filed under ethical jobs ·Tagged , , , , , , ,

It has been widely reported that women are the worst sufferers of the credit crunch job cuts. This is because in this recession, rather than industrial lay-offs, it is retail that is shedding layers of its workforce, and retail primarily employs women. Women working in ethical jobs in the public sector, however, look set to actually improve their position as the economic slowdown takes its toll.

The government has injected more money into the public sector in order to stimulate the economy, and if the current employment patterns are anything to go by, that means more jobs for women. Currently, the public sector is increasing its female workforce, with 60% of new doctors and 58% of recruits to civil service fast track schemes being female. So, more public sector jobs, following this pattern, could mean more women advancing in the public sector than men.

The other factor to take into account too is the rise in male unemployment. Though women working in wage labour are suffering, when it comes to the professional ranks, more men are being made redundant. This is because men in general command greater salaries – something women still haven’t been able to equalise – and so save companies more money by leaving. To place those job losses in a domestic context, if more male partners are being forced out of their jobs, more female partners will simply have to take up work, more work, or better paid work.

Within the public sector, and in particular civil service, men still hold the greater majority of high paid executive positions, but even some of these men face redundancies. When the recession begins to abate and those positions become available again, will a fairer share of women take them up and finally balance out the very top of the public sector workplace? This remains to be seen. One thing is certain; women in professional vocations could do very well out of the recession if they play it right.

Author
Rachel Charman, a writer for JuicyJobs; Ethical Jobs UK – an environmentally friendly green job search board which offers free job listings to Environmental, NGO’s, NFP’s and ethical companies promoting green, fair trade services and support sustainable living.  For job seekers Juicyjobs can help you find the ideal ethical jobs in London.

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Credit crunch good news for ethical jobs in public sector

November 17, 2008 at 1:44 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , , , ,

A good place to start looking for an ethical job, or get a foothold in an environmental career, is the public sector. In October, JuicyJobs.biz set about busting a few myths about the public sector; it is no longer true that public sector jobs are poorly paid, dull, and have no prospects for career progression. It would seem that the public sector is a viable place to get ahead in your career these days. Now, as the effects of the credit crunch are being felt, new research suggests that the bright graduates who were previously attracted to positions in the cut-throat world of finance and business are now heading for careers in the public sector instead, boosting the skills and qualifications resources within the sector.

Research released by the Higher Education Careers Services Unit (HECSU) reveal that, due to the economic recession, young graduates are moving away from what are traditionally seen as high flying jobs in finance to more ethical careers in the public sector.

The report from HECSU says that in 2007, the number of people entering social care and related careers rose from 4,765 in 2004 to 6,135. In health too, the number of new graduates entering the sector has risen by almost 9% between 2004 and 2007.

Deputy director of research at HECSU Charlie Ball told TimesOnline.co.uk: “The graduates in this survey would have been well aware of what was going on in the economy. Now the situation is much more serious.” He added that he expected more graduates to head into the public sector instead of finance and industry as the recession wears on.

Salaries in the public sector are now only 0.1% lower than in the private sector. They also have the best pension schemes available, far superior to many in the private sector, and there is much more job security in the public sector.

Here at JuicyJobs.biz, we have reported before on the benefits of working within the public sector. In a survey of public sector employees, the majority of respondents said that they enjoyed reasonable salaries, job satisfaction, security, good prospects for career progression, and the added bonus of feeling that they were contributing to society in general through working in an ethical job. If you are interested in a public sector job, your local borough or county council is your first port of call. A volunteering job with your local authority, in social care, youth work or environment, is a great way to make contacts and learn more about how the sector works. Additionally, keep checking JuicyJobs.biz for public sector career opportunities.

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Credit crunch good news for ethical jobs in public sector

November 17, 2008 at 1:39 pm · Filed under green jobs ·Tagged , , , , , , ,

A good place to start looking for an ethical job, or get a foothold in an environmental career, is the public sector.  In October, JuicyJobs.biz set about busting a few myths about the public sector; it is no longer true that public sector jobs are poorly paid, dull, and have no prospects for career progression.  It would seem that the public sector is a viable place to get ahead in your career these days.  Now, as the effects of the credit crunch are being felt, new research suggests that the bright graduates who were previously attracted to positions in the cut-throat world of finance and business are now heading for careers in the public sector instead, boosting the skills and qualifications resources within the sector.

Research released by the Higher Education Careers Services Unit (HECSU) reveal that, due to the economic recession, young graduates are moving away from what are traditionally seen as high flying jobs in finance to more ethical careers in the public sector.

The report from HECSU says that in 2007, the number of people entering social care and related careers rose from 4,765 in 2004 to 6,135. In health too, the number of new graduates entering the sector has risen by almost 9% between 2004 and 2007.

Deputy director of research at HECSU Charlie Ball told TimesOnline.co.uk:  “The graduates in this survey would have been well aware of what was going on in the economy.  Now the situation is much more serious.” He added that he expected more graduates to head into the public sector instead of finance and industry as the recession wears on.

Salaries in the public sector are now only 0.1% lower than in the private sector.  They also have the best pension schemes available, far superior to many in the private sector, and there is much more job security in the public sector.

Here at JuicyJobs.biz, we have reported before on the benefits of working within the public sector.  In a survey of public sector employees, the majority of respondents said that they enjoyed reasonable salaries, job satisfaction, security, good prospects for career progression, and the added bonus of feeling that they were contributing to society in general through working in an ethical job.  If you are interested in a public sector job, your local borough or county council is your first port of call.  A volunteering job with your local authority, in social care, youth work or environment, is a great way to make contacts and learn more about how the sector works.  Additionally, keep checking JuicyJobs.biz for public sector career opportunities.

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Credit crunch spells success for environmental sector

November 10, 2008 at 12:24 pm · Filed under Environment, ethical jobs, green jobs ·Tagged , , , , , ,

Industrial manufacturing has been the propeller of growth for the past two centuries.  With industry so developed, widespread and seemingly necessary, it is almost impossible to imagine it changing to become greener.  Those seeking environmental careers in engineering or manufacturing may despair; it can seem highly improbable to find an ethical career in this area.

Experts are now saying, however, that the green revolution may spread through industry faster than thought.  The cause of this change is an unexpected one; the credit crunch. According to analysts, the financial turmoil could have a silver lining for the environmental movement.

Market analysts have predicted that the credit crunch will provide a boost for the environmental movement.

Due to the financial crisis, industry and mass-production have decreased, as bosses attempt to cut costs in the face of rising prices.

Commentators on industry have claimed that, due to this drop in manufacturing, carbon demand will decrease.  This in turn means that green corporate initiatives will become more popular as carbon consumption falls.

Carbon market research firm IDEAcarbon predicts that industrial growth in the EU will only reach one per cent this year.  Furthermore, the firm speculates that industrial growth will fall by a further seven per cent in 2009.

“The price implications of the recession are already being seen,” said Alessandro Vitelli, director of IDEAcarbon.

With green initiatives and energy saving schemes proliferating through industry, the days when finding a green career in manufacturing was impossible may be drawing to a close.  For those ethical job seekers out there with engineering degrees, architectural training or an interest in production and building, the credit crunch might spell good news for industry, and for your career.  Keep checking JuicyJobs.biz for job opportunities, and stay up to date on the latest green issues here.

Author and resource box
Rachel Charman, a writer for Juicyjobs.biz Ethical Jobs UK – an environmentally friendly green job search board which offers free job listings to Environmental, NGO’s, NFP’s and ethical companies promoting green, fair trade services and support sustainable living.  For job seekers Juicyjobs can help you find the ideal ethical jobs in London.

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