HIRING… Roulston’s Centra, Ballinamallard
THERE was heartening news on the jobs’ front for Fermanagh last week, with the county’s benefits claimant figure down for the previous 12 months, and local employers on the look-out for staff.
One employer, while conceding that, ‘locally it is slow enough’, said other factors had to be taken into account.
“It’s a difficult time of the year. January is always a depressing month but, hopefully, we would all want to look forward to the future. I myself would anticipate that things will get better.”
As of last month (December), there were a total of 1,877 people in Fermanagh claiming benefits, or 4.8 per cent of the working population.
The figure is down by 35 on November and 92 for the year. It compares favourably with the claimant figure of 5 per cent across the North.
The Fermanagh claimant figure comprises 1,307 males and 570 women.
However, last week’s jobs’ adverts give some comfort.
Tempo-based electrical contractors, GR White & Son are on the look out for qualified and apprentice electricians, and skilled labourers.
And, Belleek Pottery is seeking tour guides and restaurant staff at its Visitor Centre on 3-6 month contracts.
Its manager, Patricia McCauley, returned this week from manning a stand at Holidayworld in the RDS in Dublin. She reported ‘plenty of interest’.
“It was a good showcase for Fermanagh.”
Turning to the jobs being sought, she said the company was looking for five or six people.
“It’s over the summer holiday period, for six months from March or April. That’s when we get the biggest influx of visitors, from Easter on.
“It’s the coach tours season. We get a lot of Americans, Canadians and Australians, the likes of CIE, Trafalgar, Globus, and Tauck Tours. The six months (contract) suits some people who don’t want a full-time job, and there’s always opportunities for them to be re-employed the following year.”
And, the owners of Roulston’s Centra stores, at Ballinamallard and Trory, will shortly be investing £150,000 in their Trory outlet. To that end, they are seeking full-time and part-time staff.
Stewart Roulston explained that the store would be undergoing a revamp, principally at the hot food and deli end.
“That’s why we’re advertising for so that by the time we get them trained, we will have revamped.
“Trory has always been a busy location. It’s on a good arterial route.”
And, things are looking up for small firms, like Keysscape Gardening, Enniskillen.
It is on the look-put for one full-time, and one part-time gardener.
Its owner, David Keys explained that most of their work is private work, landscaping, mowing, hedge cutting, power washing and tree felling.
“At the moment, we have three full-timers and it’s really about upskilling the workforce. We’re in the process of getting more work and it’s always god to have lots of people on call if a contract comes through.”
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