Everyone is aware of just how tough the current job market is, but a new store opening in York has experienced this first hand.
Great Outdoors is due to open a new commercial property in the city of York, and so is currently recruiting for 30 positions with the store. As the company is new to the area, they have enlisted the help of Future Prospects, a free employment and learning advice service, to help support and guide people who wish to apply for any of the vacancies.
Speaking of the move to York, Emma Calder-Crone, a spokeswoman for Great Outdoors, said: “Our business has been made to feel so welcome: that’s important when you are investing in a new area. Our experience in working with Future Prospects has been both positive and productive, and shows what partnership work can achieve!”
However, the commercial property only has 30 positions available; yet have received around 200 applications. This means that only one in seven people will be offered a job, whilst the rest will be left disappointed and will have to continue the long and gloomy search for work.
Speaking of the vast number of applicants, Nik Loftus, Manager of Great Outdoors in the North East, stated: “The response has been phenomenal, with around 200 applications for a range of up to 30 posts. Future Prospects has helped potential candidates with the application process and supported us to interview them over a three-day period.
“We are really impressed with the quality of the applicants and we are confident that we will be able to assemble a team of experienced and confident staff.”
Manager of Future Prospects, Colette Gray, added: “In this economic climate, it’s never been more important to respond quickly to employer need – particularly when it results in new business for York and new jobs for residents.
“We have been delighted to work in partnership with Great Outdoors and hopefully we have shown them that York is a great place to do business.”
For the people who are unsuccessful on this occasion, the hunt for work will continue. Nevertheless, as time goes on, the process becomes harder and even more demoralising each day.
One job seeker, Ben Gillet, is all too familiar with the process – has been looking for work for four years. He told the BBC: “My confidence is practically nil. I have no reason to be confident these days – I don’t know why I’m failing to get a job, because I get such little feedback that it just amounts to none.
“I get £135 a fortnight in Jobseeker’s Allowance and out of that I have to pay for my food, my electricity, my water, any luxuries, anything else that might crop up.
“It’s not a life I would wish on anyone, to be quite honest. As for making ends meet, I do my best.”
