Festive Job Applications Reach Record Level

Well over seven times as many NI people want Christmas jobs in a top retailer's operation than can be accommodated.

It has emerged that the creation of over 200 seasonal jobs in Tesco stores across Northern Ireland has this year attracted record levels of applications, with almost 1,700 people applying for the actual 230 posts.

The full-time and part-time seasonal jobs, which have been created to cover the busy Christmas period, will be a welcome boost to the area amid ongoing news of job cuts.

Tesco Operations Director Gary Mills said: "Our stores are busier than ever before and we want to make sure that our customers get the best possible service, so we're putting record numbers of people on the shop floor to help them in the run-up to Christmas and beyond.

"This is also the busiest time of year for our customers and these extra staff will ensure that we can make it as easy for them as possible.

"We have seen record levels of applications for our seasonal jobs this year as unemployment levels continue to grow across the province due to job cuts," he said, noting that good hourly rates and flexible working arrangements will be good news to the successful applicants in the run up to Christmas.

He said that Tesco is already Northern Ireland's largest private employer with over 9,200 staff and that the company actively recruits older workers, students and people with children, many of whom require the benefits of part-time hours and flexible working arrangements.

"In addition to creating these extra seasonal jobs, Tesco continues to purchase from local producers - our extensive local sourcing programme means that we now buy more than £500m worth of food and drink from over 70 local companies, equating to around 1,500 lines," Mr Mills confirmed.

(BMcC/GK)