Big firms starting the year on the Covid-19 bounceback are on a major recruitment drive.
From Bournemouth Airport to Kier Construction - businesses in key sectors including care, hospitality and construction are looking to take on extra staff.
As for the number of people out of work, the employment position is improving across the South West and nationally, as the economy recovers from the Covid lockdowns.
In the South West there are 108,397 benefits claimants, a 36% drop from late 2020, there are 16,432 aged under 25, which marks a 47% drop.
The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed there was no sign of a jobs hit from the Omicron variant of coronavirus sweeping the UK, with a record rise in payrolled workers.
Here are a number of key employers who are on major recruitment drives across the region.
Bournemouth Airport
The airport is on the lookout for 75 new staff to meet growing demand for international cargo handling and holidays.
The transport hub operated by Regional & City Airports (RCA) said it had seen a rise in demand, in particular, for freight with European Cargo - a cargo operator based at the airport, which has a fleet of Airbus A340 long-haul aircraft and operates flights to the Far East and the US.
The airport, which currently employs around 230 staff, is looking to fill a range of jobs including aviation security officers; passenger services agents; cleaners; arrivals agents; cargo agents; and airside ramp agents. More on that story here.
BT
Apprentices and graduates in Bristol are set to be hired by telecoms giant BT later this year, the company has announced. The roles will be among 600 being created in engineering, customer service, applied research and cyber-security.
They will spread across a number of locations including Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Dundee, Glasgow, Ipswich, London and Manchester.
The recruits will also support the company's plans to build and extend its 5G network around the UK. Read more on that story here.
South West Water
One of the region's biggest employers is looking for talented individuals to join its prestigious graduate management programme.
South West Water is offering up to 25 full-time, permanent places in a range of roles across the business.
The programme launched in 2021 as part of a commitment to recruit 100 graduates by 2025, and huge interest saw South West Water expand its initial intake from 20 roles to 28, with graduates coming from local counties and from as far as Hong Kong and Zimbabwe.
Applications for South West Water’s graduate management programme are open until the end of February and interested candidates can apply via the Graduate Management Programme website.
Leonardo Helicopters
Leonardo has launched a new job scheme at its helicopter manufacturing site in Somerset for engineers who have taken a career break to re-enter the industry.
The aerospace giant has partnered with the STEM Returners organisation for the 12-week programme, which will offer paid placements working on the design and development of aircraft at the Yeovil site.
Experienced candidates considering the ‘returnship’ will be able to apply for roles including structural design engineer, aerodynamics analyst and system safety engineer.
Leonardo said the scheme was part of its ongoing commitment to improve diversity and address a skills shortage within the industry.
Kier
The national construction firm is on an expansion drive to recruit over 1,200 staff for roles across the country.
It wants to develop the next generation of skills and hit its £4.5bn revenue target.
The big recruitment push will see staff numbers swell by around 10% across the UK.
The firm has offices throughout the UK with sites in Bristol, Gloucester, Plymouth, Exeter, Truro and St Austell.
The contractor is offering extended maternity, paternity and shared parental leave.
It also is offering paid leave to anyone who experiences pregnancy loss and new measures to support those going through the menopause.
Vacancies range from technology engineers, to sustainability co-ordinators, general operatives, business analysts and team leaders, as well as positions in finance, IT and human resources.
Cockwells
Cornish boatbuilder Cockwells is expanding and creating jobs after seeing “unprecedented” demand for its vessels.
The Mylor-based company said its its Duchy Motor Launches, Hardy motor yachts and superyacht tenders are so in demand it is taking on new staff to support its continuing expansion.
It is now recruiting across a range of roles, from marine electricians to boatbuilders, GRP technicians to laminators, a yard hand to a trainee CNC (computer numerical control) operator, as well as various jobs within the finance team.
The company is not only seeking to hire experienced tradespeople, skilled crafts personnel, and professional office staff, but is also looking to recruit employees with transferable skills from other industries and those who wish to embark on a new career and retrain.
Princess Yachts
Plymouth-based luxury yacht makers Princess Yachts is continuing its recruitment drive with more than 20 job roles advertised.
The firm has showcased an eight yacht line-up at its invite-only The Princess Exclusive boat show in Plymouth this month.
It included the global launch of the Princess X80 and V50, plus the award-winning Princess X95 and Y72, with the Princess F55 and V55 also featuring in the yard’s marina, in addition to the Princess V40 and Princess S62 situated at the nearby Mayflower Marina.
Princess Yachts is the UK’s largest luxury boat builder and revealed last year that it had a US$1bn order book in 2021 and said production is struggling to keep up with demand.
It is recruiting for roles across all areas of the business from carpenters, sprayers, engineers to designers.
