A new website launched today will carry details of all the local government vacancies in Scotland. The nationwide e-recruitment portal www.myjobscotland.gov.uk will have information on jobs available at all 32 Scottish local authorities as well as police fire and rescue services.

The site will be available to job hunters anywhere in the world and is likely to handle a quarter of a million applications a year and will dramatically reduce the time in which a job offer can be made. Those looking for work will also be able to sign up for e-mail or text alerts about jobs.

The development of the site has been led by the Improvement Service on behalf of COSLA – the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, and in co-operation with the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives, the Society of Personnel Directors in Scotland. Myjobscotland uses the latest e-recruitment technology, supplied by StepStone, to computerise the whole recruitment process. The system will guarantee applicants a quick response and a swift decision. Rather than applying by post and providing hard copies of CVs applicants can apply online, correspond with recruiters and even arrange interviews electronically. It is expected that the period between an application being submitted and a job offer being made will be cut from several weeks to just days. Applications made through the site will be routed directly to human resources staff at the relevant council or organisations.

Councillor Michael Cook, Chair of the Strategic Human Resources Management
Executive Group at COSLA, said there was no such thing as a ‘typical’ job in local government. “Myjobscotland gives an idea of the considerable possibilities the local government sector can offer, as well as making it quick and easy for people to apply for jobs,” he added. Meanwhile Paul Dowie, Director of Shared Services at the Improvement Service said the site was a milestone in the development of sharing across Scottish local government and was a testament to the collaborative efforts of the stakeholders as well as the vision and commitment of individual councils and staff.