Guardian writers' workshop: Writers from minority backgrounds are being invited to apply for the chance to join editors from the Guardian in a writers' workshop. Twenty shortlisted writers will join staff from the G2, Culture, Comment or Society sections at the Guardian offices in Kings Place on 3 November. The workshop will explore ways to encourage more writers from minority backgrounds to write for the Guardian as well as discussing ways of approaching commissioning editors to pitch ideas. Find out how to apply here.
Retail: Supermarket giant Sainsbury's is to create up to 14,100 seasonal jobs to meet the high demand from customers over the busy Christmas and new year period, reports the Press Association. The jobs will be a mixture of full and part-time, covering areas including checkout, customer service and assisting online shopping delivery teams. Anyone interested is invited to apply from mid-October to start work in late November, reports the Daily Mirror.
Apprenticeships: Thousands of apprenticeship jobs could be created across the West Midlands in the next three years, according to the BBC. Birmingham's Chamber of Trade and Metropolitan College are joining forces, along with businesses further afield, to place 3,000 young people in jobs. Firms supporting the scheme, which was announced at the Conservative Party Conference, include Samsung, BSkyB, BMW, Dixons Retail, E.On and Cadbury.
Human resources: One of the world's leading human resources consultancy companies has announced it is to create 45 new jobs in Belfast, reports the BBC. Invest Northern Ireland has offered £450,000 of support for the expansion of Mercer Ltd, which will double American-owned firm's existing presence in the city.
Software: More good news for Belfast as the US-based Art Technology Group announces plans to create 50 new jobs in the city. The company employs 62 people at its Belfast centre but now plans to nearly double its workforce with additional high quality software jobs, according to The Irish Times.
