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The area of Dyce, an area located approximately five miles from the centre of Aberdeen is the location of the city’s servicing airport. While it is not the largest of the UK’s airports, passenger numbers are steadily on the increase and have been for the last decade. At the moment the airport sees around three and a half million passengers pass through annually, this number is eight percent higher than the previous year and hence shows the level of growth for the site.
In terms of Scotland, Aberdeen is regarded to be the third largest airport, meaning that it is of vital importance to the air travel network in Britain. The British Airports Authority owns the site and over the years has worked hard to improve the facilities in the terminal; this has meant allowing shops, restaurants and car hire desks to trade within the terminal building. As well as aeroplane flights, Aberdeen plays a major role in servicing the needs of the North Sea oil industry.
In the early thirties the airport was opened with the goal of providing a link between the northern Scottish islands and major airports such as London’s Heathrow and Gatwick. This role however was taken over by Inverness due to a more preferential and northerly location. As with most UK airports Aberdeen was requisitioned by the military during the war years and played an important role in the protection of northern Britain. Fundamentally the role of Aberdeen was to protect the north from German bombing raids originating from Norway. Even with this ultimately important role, the airport predominantly flew reconnaissance sorties in Scandinavia to assess the state of the war effort. After military control was ended, the site returned to civil aviation uses.
Aberdeen was in a prime position to take advantage of the North Sea oil boom during the sixties. This meant helicopters were regularly flown from the site’s heliport to ferry workers to the numerous oil rigs in the North Sea. The role continues to this day and currently Aberdeen is regarded to be the busiest Heliport anywhere in the world. These flights form a large constituent of the airport’s income; around five hundred oil industry workers use the airport annually, while around forty thousand flight movements were controlled from the site. This role is so important to the airport that it is estimated that over half of the movements at any one time are made up from helicopters.
As well as this vital function servicing the needs of the oil industry, Aberdeen has increasingly attempting to court business from budget airlines to increase destinations to Europe. This increased tourist focus has meant that shops, cafes and car hire provisions have been expanded to meet the needs of travellers. Additionally, to service both oil rig customers and tourists a number of hotels have been built to accommodate travellers. One of these is rumoured to be part of the Hilton chain, showing that not all those flying to the oil rigs are blue collar workers; plenty of executives also regularly make the journey.
As a result of government legislation Aberdeen has had to put down in writing its plans for development over the next thirty years. The executives at the airport are hoping to extend the runway by around three hundred metres. This extension, if given planning permission will give the airport facilities to land flights from America, a vital link for many of the oil industry players. The extension however will not just bring transatlantic flights, it is also hoped a larger runway will mean European destinations further afield will become a reality.
As with many of the airports in the UK local residents are vehement that expansion should not happen in their back yard; additionally, environmental campaigners have also voiced protestations. These protests however are likely to be overruled should planning permission be given. Whatever happens with the expansion plans, the airport will continue to perform an important function in servicing both the Scottish nation and the oil industry.
The Health and Safety Executive of the UK (HSE) have recently launched a campaign to highlight the tragic effects that slips, trips and falls in the workplace can have on individuals and companies alike. The campaign which has been labeled the Shattered Lives Campaign has recently been highlighted and supported by the people at British Waterways Scotland as they have dedicated the turning of the Falkirk wheel to the cause.
The Falkirk wheel which connects the Forth and Clyde Canal with the union Canal is one of Scotland’s top tourist attractions. The wheel was made famous as the world’s first ever rotating boat lift is currently undergoing it’s annual maintenance and is this year paying special attention to health and safety regulations.
David Lamont of British Waterways Scotland stated that:
“The safety of our staff, contractors and visitors is of paramount importance so we’re delighted to work with HSE and support the Shattered Lives campaign. Each of the two gondolas weighs 300 tonnes and the structure itself features around 15,000 bolts all hand tightened. Altogether, the stresses on the structure and the central spine are immense so it is vitally important that we maintain The Falkirk Wheel to a very high standard and ensure the health and safety of our workforce whilst they carry out this important work.”
In Scotland alone, over 4000 people were injured due to slips, trips and falls in the work place and 5 people died during 2009. When looking at the health and safety at work statistics for the whole of the UK in 2009, we see that a frightening 40 people lost their lives because of slips, trips and falls in the workplace. Other than the tragic loss of life, accidents in the workplace cost the UK about £800M a year. All this highlights the absolute importance of adhering to health and safety policy and ensuring that the correct work shoes etc. are worn at all times in your chosen industry. If you’re a woman, then you need to think about your health and safety and maybe wear the correct ladies work shoes instead of those high heels you love so much which might not be as safe and effective.
Those who wish to get involved and benefit from these campaigns can visit the Shattered Lives Website and learn more about the campaign, as well as download guides on how to implement health and safety regulations in your UK office.
The state of health and safety in construction and other industries of the UK is a huge concern and everyone should do their part in supporting the Shattered lives campaign. Share this health and safety in the workplace article with your friends and make them aware of the shocking statistics which could occur closer to home than you might think.
Yours in safety…
Some people are naturally attracted to working in a service industry. If this describes you, you will find plenty of rewarding opportunities to map out a career path if you venture into the financial services industry.
Scotland has much to offer in this regard because several major companies in this sector have based their businesses there. This naturally provides many more opportunities to break into financial services and get that first important foot on the ladder.
To begin with, you should delve into the financial sector in Scotland as a whole and explore the various different services and options that are on offer. For example you might be interested in getting involved with the pensions industry. Alternatively life insurance and other similar products may attract your attention more. Consider all the options and remember that there are different job positions available in every sector.
Looking at existing job openings in Scotland will give you an idea of what qualifications you will need in order to apply for them successfully as well. If you are switching careers you may need to re-train or go back to school to acquire the necessary qualifications. Some roles may require a degree of some kind, whereas others will require more basic qualifications.
Exploring the job market in the financial sector like this is an excellent way to break in. If there is a particular company you would like to join, be sure to do some background research on it as well. Showing knowledge such as this in an interview can make all the difference.
If you are already performing a job role within the industry you may find it easier to move around and change jobs. This is because you will already have gained some experience which you can add to your CV. Make sure you update your CV regularly to reflect any new experience you have gained.
It is important to consider your current location too. If you do not currently live in Scotland and you want to apply for a job there, you need to be able to demonstrate you are willing to relocate if you are accepted for a position. Researching this aspect of any potential change in your career circumstances will also help you to prepare for the next step in your career.
There is no doubt that anyone wishing to work in this industry has plenty of opportunities to do just that in Scotland. From entry level positions to more senior roles, careers in insurance and pensions are plentiful and promising. If you feel you have lots to offer and you enjoy the challenges of working in a thriving industry that is always looking to the future, you may have found your ideal job position.
Scots have since the past been advised to fill their stomachs with food before taking a drink but it all seems to have fallen on deaf ears.
Wines and spirits industries in Scotland are making a lot of money with booming business; in fact the leaders say that latest research shows that the English were influenced by what they view as a healthier continental attitude to alcohol as compared to Scots. The French, Italians and Spaniards traditionally take dinner as they take a glass of wine; the Scots on the other hand prefer taking alcohol on empty stomachs.
The SNP administration together with other proposals, which include minimum prices, wants the Scotland government to end what they believe to be irresponsible promotions of food and drinks, which health experts believe to be driving Scots to unplanned purchase of drinks. The drinks industries on the other hand believe that the promotions are necessary to promote their products.
Supermarkets however, differed with the ban on cross promotions and therefore led a charge against them. For them, they believe that the government together with the industries should organize a campaign to pass a message to the Scots on the best way of taking alcohol and the various advantages of taking the drink after taking a heavy or a reasonable meal. Basically, the government should be finding a way out to solve the current problem instead of banning cross promotions.
Wine and spirits industries believe that selling food together would be the best way of normalizing sensible and considerate drinking, though health campaigners differ with them that alcohol is not and will never be a normal product, they believe that most Scots are pressured into buying alcohol eve n when they don’t intend, especially when they are completely empty in their stomachs.
The fact that Scots continue taking alcohol as the various alcohol industries continue making profits have been one great issue for the Scottish government. Health campaigners however have congratulated the government’s crackdown on cross promotions among other promotions, stating that it was one way to reduce alcohol consumption in Scotland.
Most health campaigners suggested that it was better taking wine with food rather than drinking without food, it is compared to watching your favorite movie without sound. Wine is basically transformed by food and so do wine on food; it has exactly the same effect on food just like spices do. It is therefore to have a meal before taking alcohol; this is one important thing that the Scottish government is working on, though it has appeared to be a bit tough on their side. The fight goes on, there is no giving up.
Alcohol businesses in Scotland continue to operate at a higher profit rate because of the many customers visiting drinking centers each and every time. The solution lies on the government together with the citizens to ensure that alcohol is not taken before a solid meal is taken. There is hope anyway, that the behavior is going to change with time.
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