A silver lining for recruitment

Thursday 09 April 2020

No job is safe as the corona virus pandemic continues to take a grip on the Bailiwick but there is a silver lining in some areas, according to a recruitment specialist in Guernsey.

Although many industries have had to lay staff off, a number of roles are coming available as businesses diversify and other employers are still looking to recruit so they have a strong workforce for when life gets 'back to normal'.

Pictured: Channel Islands Lines has ceased trading. 

Paul Davis Freight is among one of the most well known casualties of the covid-19 crisis with its parent company entering administration earlier this week, leaving 12 people out of work in Guernsey alone.

One of the most recognised brands in the world, Specsavers also announced job cuts recently, with up to 5% of its work force at the headquarters in Guernsey facing redundancy. 

Other people have lost work in bars, restaurants and shops while Express has learned that one of the larger law firms has put some staff down to just four days a week work as the lockdown stretches towards a month, at least.

Pictured: Specsavers HQ in Guernsey. 

Chris Gnapp, from Leapfrog Recruitment said there are some positives to glean from the situation though, with some industries taking on additional staff or looking to expand their employee numbers once life gets 'back to normal'.

Mr Gnapp said he and his staff are still taking on candidates for a number of office based roles, and that interviews are taking place remotely with employers and those candidates. 

Some recent new recruits appointed through Leapfrog have seen their start dates delayed due to the corona virus pandemic, but for most those jobs will start once the lockdown period has abated.

Mr Gnapp said other firms are also still looking to recruit.

"Interviews are still happening and appointments are being made. We're doing interviews virtually and our clients are still engaging with us so there are some opportunities around still," he said. 

For many people though, this is a time of uncertainty and Mr Gnapp said one way around that is to "get your house" in order to ensure you're ready for the job market once the pandemic has passed.

"There is lots to do, and it’s a good time to do that and get your house in order, make sure your CV is up to date, any training which needs to be done, and look to the future. Is the job you’re currently in what you want to be doing?

“Depending on how long this goes on for, no job is safe. And the job market is going to look very different after this. So it’s a good time to get your house in order so you’re ready for that. 

“It is possible to train remotely so that can be done, and employers who look after their staff during this time will benefit. Employees really do feel valued by those employers who look after them. 

“There are ways of doing that and staying in touch remotely. We’re using teams and systems like that.  

“One thing that might change when we come out of this is that there are more opportunities to take a strategic view of the long term.” 

Pictured: Chris Gnapp, MD of Leapfrog. 

Of the firms recruiting in Guernsey now, many are offering short term contracts, including some of the supermarkets or firms which need delivery drivers to offer services they’re able to under the current States guidelines.

Intersurgical has taken on short term workers, including a number of former employees, as the firm makes more equipment for health care workers in Guernsey and beyond.

And Health and Social Care are currently recruiting for the front line in the fight against corona virus. 

Among the vacancies has been a specific call out to anyone with experience in the care sector to take on shifts within the island’s care homes or alongside the community nurses.

Pictured top: File image.