A new website designed to be a one-stop shop for careers and employment in the Isle of Man will be launched this week.
Employed.im provides guidance on career related issues for anybody seeking advice, from students and school leavers through to people considering a mid-career change or a return to work.
Members can also use the website to manage their CVs, application forms and connect to potential employers.
Employed.im builds on the success of PDMS’ Manx Graduates website, which went live in 2009 with the primary goal of encouraging graduates to return to the Isle of Man.
However, that site attracted as many experienced professionals as it did newly qualified university students. ‘The wide profile of its users rendered the site’s name something of a misnomer,’ explained Chris Gledhill, managing director of software company PDMS which developed the website.
‘So, in collaboration with the Department of Economic Development and the Department of Education and Children, we decided earlier this year to redesign the site to considerably broaden its scope.’
The easy-to-navigate employed.im site will also serve as a networking portal for students, job seekers and employers.
‘Employed.im is designed for its members and serves the combined interests of employers, students, jobseekers and government agencies equally. Built on a secure platform it can be used to establish lasting relationships. A place to start an ongoing conversation about your career,’ said Mr Gledhill.
‘It has been designed to be of use to anyone interested in employment and training in the Isle of Man - be they a graduate seeking a new job or anyone wanting to improve their employability skills.
‘Companies and organisations in the Isle of Man are always on the lookout for talented, ambitious people - employed.im will enable them to match potential employees with available positions.
‘School leavers will be able to find out about the world of work, get tips on job hunting and will soon, also be able to source the best places in the island to get work experience.’
Members can post their CV on the site and receive notifications on jobs that match their profile. With employed.im we can quickly and easily put application or other related forms online – key information from a member’s profile will automatically be added to the form, saving valuable time and effort.
Members can also save and store their own personal copy of these forms. The site, which will carry job adverts from local employers, will also become a gateway for training opportunities in the Isle of Man.
FIRST PORT OF CALL
‘It will be the first port of call for people looking to make a career change, get back into the workplace after a career break or get on the first rung of the career ladder,’ said Mr Gledhill. The project has also been developed in close consultation with the Employability Group, a government and cross-sector industry group, set up to help prepare young people for the world of work. Annette Baker, chair of the group, said: ‘Feedback from last year’s Employability Conference confirmed that there was an urgent need for easily accessible, up to date information on careers, jobs and work experience opportunities on the Isle of Man.
‘We are delighted at the launch of employed.im in this new format, which we feel has the potential to provide excellent support for students, teachers, employers and indeed anyone who is looking at developing their own career or the career of others.’
Laurence Skelly, MHK, Political Member for the Department of Economic Development said: ‘The Department of Economic Development has worked closely with PDMS to ensure that employed.im supports the important work of the Job Centre, careers advisors and training services.
‘This is an excellent opportunity for joined-up working between Government and the private sector in order to support job seekers and those wanting careers advice or training opportunities.
‘We look forward to continuing to work with PDMS as this important initiative develops.’
Further enhancements are planned in the coming months, including video profiles for members and the ability for employers to carry out video interviews; a feature developed in collaboration with another local company – the Needle Online.
Employed.im will be officially launched tomorrow (Tuesday) at the Isle of Man Employment and Skills event at the Villa Marina. There will be a presentation in the Broadway Cinema, starting at 1.15pm.