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Issue:- 24/25 April 2015

Employers in the North West urged to recruit and support diverse workforce

BY 2020 the Office for National Statistics (ONS) predicts that a third of the working age population will be over 50. With this in mind, the RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) says North West employers who recruit and support a diverse workforce; with measures to help parents return to work - will gain a competitive edge and a wider pool of talent.

The RICS; a professional body which sets standards in the land, property and construction sectors; says on top of our ageing workforce, the region's property industry is also facing a skills shortage and the lack of qualified candidates is causing many North West based firms to have problems recruiting. The organisation says employers can improve such recruitment issues by hiring a diverse workforce and ensuring staff receive regular training and opportunities to upskill.

Richard Schofield, 65, Managing Director at Rider Hunt Management Services and Chairman of the Rider Hunt UK Group said:- "No matter what your age, ethnicity, religion or gender; there should be no barriers to anyone's aspirations.  We must attract and retain young talent, but we must not forget about those with years of experience, including parents who took a career break to look after their children. Their invaluable knowledge and expertise can help address any skills shortages by encouraging young professionals through training and mentoring initiatives."

The RICS believes that one of the reasons it has so few female members (15%) is that women struggle to get back in to the industry at the same professional level they left to have a child, unless they return to work within a year. The organisation says firms that aren't willing to offer flexible working are leaving some parents with no alternative but to leave the industry.

Chartered building surveyor, Rebecca Hailey of JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle) is a mum of a 2 year old little boy. She returned to her role as Associate Director - Project & Development Services after 13 months. "Where women opt to take a career break, it is essential that they can re-enter the workplace at the appropriate level. There is also a culture that if you are not seen to be at your desk, then you are not doing your job. This attitude needs to change. My employer is supportive of flexible working, but I know this isn't the case for many working parents, which is why they may struggle to go back to work.  The property industry in the North West changes so quickly, so we constantly have to develop our skills to adapt to the changing market. Parents, who return to the industry after having a number of years off, may find it particularly hard adapting. The same can be said of older professionals who return to the industry after being out of work for years. Employers need to ensure that any such staff has access to the relevant training and development opportunities to refresh and improve their skill set."

47,000 of RICS' qualified members (chartered surveyors) are over 50 years old and of this percentage, 94% are male, with the average age of a chartered surveyor being 53.

RICS encourages older members to continue their careers, as experience is highly revered and rewarded. It's not unknown for chartered surveyors to work beyond their retirement age as they enjoy keeping up with the developing world and in touch with others of a like mind.

The organisation has even launched a Senior Professional Route (SPR) to membership, to help encourage greater diversity and recognise the career achievements of those operating at a senior level within an organisation.

Chartered urban land economist and town planner, Louise Brooke-Smith, is the first female President of RICS in the organisation's 147-year history. She said:- "Our industry has typically lagged behind others in terms of making the most of a diverse workforce, but we are now driving change to ensure we attract and retain the very best talent for the future."

Sparrowhawks hunting in Town Centre

IT is not your average thing to spot in the back yard of your office, but this week our Editor spotted and snapped these pictures of the Eurasian Sparrowhawk. This 'small' bird of prey in the family Accipitridae is extremely adapted for hunting birds in confined spaces like dense woodland, and also many gardens make ideal hunting grounds for them, but surprisingly the pigeon population is also pulling them now to the back yards of many offices and shops in and around Southport. Thankfully numbers of these birds all over Europe are increasing, since being driven dangerously low, due to persecuted by gamekeepers, in the 20th Century and in the 1950's to 1960's, when numbers dropped even sharper due to harmful organochlorine pesticides. If you live in or around Merseyside we can safely say that these birds are still vulnerable, but sittings are increasingly more common site over the Merseyside Coastline and Farmland.  So keep your eyes open for these amazing hunters when at work, but also that it is illegal to harm or disturb them or their nests.

Fact File:-

The bird's length is around:- 28cm to 38cm
It's wingspan is around:- 60cm to 75cm
The male bird weighs around:- 110g to 195g
The female bird weighs around:- 185g to 342g

They fly around 10mph to 30mph due to their shorter wings that are designed for more manoeuvrability at the expense of less speed.

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Deceased estates notice - Lilian May Jackam

Pursuant to the Trustee Act 1925, any persons having a claim against or an interest in the Estate of Lilian May Jackam (also known as Lillian May) Jackam (Deceased), late of Birch Abbey Rest Home, 55 Alexandra Road, Southport, Merseyside, PR9 9HD, UK, who died on 04/10/2018, are required to send particulars thereof in writing, to the undersigned Solicitors, on or before 24/05/2019, after which date the Estate will be distributed having regard only to claims and interests of which they have had notice. Churches Solicitors, 12 High Street, Fareham, Hampshire, PO16 7BL, UK. Ref:- 'T553015.'

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