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Get the party poppers and champagne out, it’s a month of celebrations! gap personnel group is celebrating its 25th anniversary this month and we couldn’t be more proud of this momentous milestone. For a quarter of a century, we have been at the forefront of recruitment across our many divisions, but we owe our success to the unwavering support of our dedicated employees, loyal clients, and incredible candidates. We’re immensely proud of our achievements over the years and are looking forward to seeing what the next quarter of a century brings – cheers to 25 years!
Now, take a deep dive into our June newsletter to discover the most recent trends and developments that are influencing various industries. We’ve even put together a guide of upcoming exclusive events – why not see if anything piques your interest?!
In FMCG....
Deliveroo is peering into the future?of food delivery and things are getting wild! According to their Snack To The Future report, we can expect edible beauty products, 3D printed meal plans, and even virtual reality dinner parties by 2040. They believe that meals will be fully personalized based on our mental, physical, social, and environmental needs. Imagine breathing onto a device to get food recommendations tailored just for you! Plus, with personal AI and 3D printing, we'll have better control over our nutrient intake. And get this, we might be munching on anti-aging ice cream - who knew beauty and food could mix so well? But the real game-changer is VR dinner parties, where you can rub virtual elbows with celebrities and royals while enjoying your meal. It's all about capturing the passion and emotion of food, according to Deliveroo's CEO. The future is looking tasty!
Is the gin party winding down? It seems like the gin boom is losing its fizz as big brands face a slump in sales. Gordon's, the gin heavyweight, has taken a hit losing a whopping ￡72.8 million in value sales.?This indicates a shift in consumer preferences and a potential saturation in the gin market.?Read more here.
Lidl will donate 1.8 million meals to low-income families during the school summer holidays in the UK to combat holiday hunger. The food will be distributed through Lidl's charity partner Neighbourly and local organisations, addressing the issue faced by 31% of UK children living in poverty. Lidl's ongoing efforts to tackle food poverty have resulted in over 25 million meal donations since 2017, and they have recently introduced a frozen food donation scheme to further support those in need and reduce food waste. Read more?here.
The Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) warns that UK fresh produce traders will be unable to absorb the estimated ￡10 million additional cost of import checks on goods entering the country from the EU and the rest of the world. The FPC has expressed concerns to the government that these costs would have to be passed on to consumers, leading to increased food prices and inflation. The FPC criticizes the government's border strategy as outdated and inefficient, adding unnecessary costs for consumers and potentially causing delays and shortages in the supply of fresh produce.?Read more here?.
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In manufacturing...
Green Transport Week aims to raise awareness of sustainable transport and its impact on the environment, with?the focus of this year's event on electric vehicles (EVs), which have seen significant growth in recent years. However, with the increase in EV usage, there has been a rise in battery-related fires. Sarah Martin, president of Honeywell Sensing and Safety Technologies, highlights the importance of addressing these risks associated with EV batteries,?emphasising?the need for safe and reliable lithium-ion batteries, as well as advancements in sensor technology for early detection of issues and improved battery health monitoring. By addressing these concerns, EVs can become a more viable and sustainable transportation option for all.?Read the full article here.
Robotics education package aims to help close the automation skills gap.?ABB Robotics is revolutionising education with its all-inclusive package, equipping students with the skills needed for the future of automation. Featuring the user-friendly ABB GoFa cobot, comprehensive teaching materials, and a globally recognised STEM certification, this initiative aims to bridge the education gap and prepare students for a robotic workforce. With hands-on experience and industry-standard training, young talents can unlock endless opportunities in over 80 countries, transforming the way we learn and work with robots.
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In warehousing...
Get ready to celebrate the powerhouse of the logistics sector: warehousing! Baroness Scott of Bybrook, speaking at the UKWA Annual Lunch & Awards event?highlighted the industry's sustained growth, innovation, and commitment to diversity. She emphasised the need for improved planning systems, better electrical connections for sustainable energy generation, and modernised processes to support automation and robotics. With 40% of young people employed in warehousing, she urged the government to recognise its importance in driving the economy and meeting the nation's needs. The event also featured the entertaining insights of journalist Ayesha Hazarika, who encouraged businesses to engage with political parties ahead of an upcoming general election.?Read more here.
Discover the progress and challenges in achieving comprehensive supply chain visibility, especially in retail. Senior management support is crucial, and educating them about the value of visibility is essential.?Stay ahead of the competition by harnessing the power of supply chain visibility and unlocking its benefits for your brand.
Renault Trucks has upgraded its heavy-duty vehicles with digitised cab interiors and advanced safety features. The cabins now offer improved comfort and productivity with adjustable displays and intuitive touchscreen interfaces. The vehicles come equipped with radars, cameras, and tyre pressure monitoring for enhanced safety. Optional features include additional cameras for monitoring and an Optivision Map Based system for optimising fuel consumption. Renault Trucks continues to prioritise driver well-being and safety in its heavy-duty range.?Read?more here.?
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In employment...
Acas has released new guidance on reasonable adjustments for mental health at work, providing examples, case studies, and templates for employees and employers. The guidance emphasises the importance of supporting staff with mental health conditions, including reviewing working relationships and communication styles. The duty to make reasonable adjustments is outlined in Section 20 of the Equality Act 2010, which covers a wide range of mental impairments. The guidance also highlights relevant case law, demonstrating the types of adjustments deemed appropriate by tribunals. Employers are encouraged to proactively promote mental well-being and consider adjustments to retain valuable employees. Regular check-ins and creating an open environment for discussing mental health are recommended.?Read more here.
Following the Bank of England's decision to raise the base rate to 5%, businesses are seeking certainty on interest rates. David Bharier, Head of Research at the BCC, acknowledges that while inflation remains a top concern for businesses, rising interest rates are now causing worry due to soaring borrowing costs. He emphasises the need for clarity on the direction of future changes to assist businesses. Bharier highlights labour market tightness and trade barriers with the EU as drivers of inflation that require a policy response. The BCC urges the government to address these issues and stands ready to collaborate in tackling labour shortages and reducing trade barriers. Vicky Pryce, an Economic Advisory Council member at the BCC, suggests that driving the economy into a recession to combat rising prices is unnecessary. She notes signs of easing input cost pressures and emphasises the importance of clear signals from the Bank of England regarding interest rates. Striking a balance is crucial to prevent adverse impacts on businesses and long-term economic growth.?Read more here.?
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Latest employment data...
UK employment rate rose by 0.2% to 76% (Jan?2023?- March?2023) due to part-time and self-employed workers. Payrolled employees increased, up 23,000 on the revised April 2023 figures, to 30.0 million. Unemployment rate increased increased by 0.1 percentage points on the quarter to 3.8%. The increase in unemployment was driven by people unemployed for up to 12 months. The economic inactivity rate decreased by 0.4 percentage points on the quarter, to 21.0% in February to April 2023. Looking at economic inactivity by reason, the quarterly decrease was largely driven by those inactive for other reasons and those looking after family or home. Meanwhile, those inactive because of long-term sickness increased to a record high. Vacancies fell by 79,000 on the quarter to 1,051,000. Vacancies fell on the quarter for the 11th consecutive period and reflect uncertainty across industries, as survey respondents continue to cite economic pressures as a factor in holding back on recruitment. Growth in average total pay (including bonuses) was 6.5% and growth in regular pay (excluding bonuses) was 7.2% among employees in February to April 2023. For regular pay, this is the largest growth rate seen outside of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.?Read the full June?ONS labour market report here.
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A bit of gap news...
This week brings even more excitement, not only is it gap’s 25th?anniversary but we are also set to announce a complete rebrand for our driving division, Driving Force Recruitment! Everyone loves a refresh, and that’s exactly what we have done – with a sleek new logo and colour palette to go alongside a snazzy new website, it’s hard not to be a fan of their new look!
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Check out the new Driving Force Recruitment at?www.driving-force.co.uk.
Events and webinarsGlobal Awareness Lifting Day
Online event: 13th July?2023?
Join?here
Live event : 4?Jul?2023?
Venues County Hall, Westminster, London
Secure your free pass?here
Live event : 17 Oct 2023?
Houses of Parliament, Parliament Sq, London
Secure your free pass?here
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