Careers Convention 2010

Just a reminder for all pupils in S2, S4 & S5 the Hamilton Grammar Careers Convention will take place on Monday 22 February from 7pm - 9pm.
Pupils, parents and carers all welcome.


CC 2010 -

Is Toyota's reputation tarnished?

Toyota is in the process of recalling millions of cars owing to fears of a sticking accelerator pedal.

Cars in the US, Europe and China are all involved in the recall but different models are affected.

The carmaker has apologised for the problems but stresses that only a small proportion of its vehicles are affected. It says only 26 cases have been reported in Europe.

There is a problem with the accelerator pedal that in some cases has become stuck. This is the result of the pedal becoming worn, the company says.

Millions of vehicles have been recalled in the US, 1.8 million cars across Europe are involved in the recall including 180,865 vehicles in the UK, and others are being brought in in China.

In your opinion has the brand name being tarnished?

Would you still buy a Toyota?

Apple unveils iPad tablet device

Apple has put an end to weeks of speculation by unveiling its tablet PC, which it has called the iPad.
Steve Jobs, Apple's chief executive unveiled the touchscreen device at an event in San Francisco.
Mr Jobs described the tablet, which will cost between $499 and $829 in the US, as a "third category" between smartphones and laptops.
The device, which looks like a large iPhone, can be used to watch films, play games and browse the web.
"You can download right onto your iPad," said Mr Jobs.
"What this device does is extraordinary. It is the best browsing experience you have ever had," he said.
The device has a 9.7-inch multi-touch display, allowing people to type directly on to the screen, as well as manipulate pictures and move control the action in games with their fingers. However, users can also plug in a keyboard.

Will Santander challenge the big banks?

A big, shiny new name is on display in the UK's High Streets and shopping centres.

The logo of the giant Spanish banking group Santander will soon hang above more than a thousand former branches of the Abbey and Bradford & Bingley banks.

The 278 branches of the Alliance & Leicester, also owned by the Spanish group, will be renamed later this year.

That will bring the total number of Santander branded outlets to 1,300, making it the fifth-largest bank in the UK.

Its position, with 25 million customers, should be a challenge to the traditional dominance of the big four High Street banks - RBS-NatWest, Lloyds, HSBC and Barclays.

"Santander is and will continue to be a challenger to the competition in the UK," a spokesman promised.

Energy security questioned as National Grid cuts off gas to factories

Severe weather and creaking power infrastructure lead to first tangible sign that fears over energy shortages are translating into supply disruption.

Vauxhall's car plant at Ellesmere Port and British Sugar's refineries at Bury St Edmunds and Newark are among nearly 100 factories that have had their energy supplies cut as Britain threatens to lurch from whiteout to blackout.

The National Grid has told British Gas and other power suppliers to cut or reduce their power to major corporate customers in a bid to preserve gas for domestic households as extreme weather caused a surge in demand.

New Year

Well the festivities are over and it's back to school for 'most' pupils - weather permitting.

Hope everyone had a good holiday!

Happy 2010!

Will sponsors back tarnished Tiger Woods?

Tiger Woods' extraordinary golfing prowess has made him the wealthiest sportsman in the world - but behind every great sportsman these days, there is always an array of big businesses.

Is Tiger Woods' reputation hanging by a thread?

Nike has been Woods' biggest sponsor since the start of his career, signing its first contract with him as long ago as 1996.

Since then, other major companies have added their endorsements, including the Gatorade drinks brand and Gillette razors.

In fact, despite being the world's number one golfer, Woods makes far more money off the green than on it.

Last year, he earned $23m (£13.8m) from golf tournaments - a figure dwarfed by the more than $100m that his various sponsorship deals brought in.

So with his previously impeccable image now somewhat tarnished, amid continuing speculation about his private life following last week's car crash, his income is hugely dependent on how those sponsors are likely to react.

Rallying round?

In the long term, it is unclear whether the 33-year-old star's apology to his family for his "transgressions" will restore his clean-cut reputation or simply add to the perception of guilt.

But so far, the picture is mixed. Nike, Pepsico, TLC Vision and Electronic Arts all issued statements on Wednesday to the effect that their relationship with Woods was unchanged.

On Monday, Gatorade wished Woods well as he recovers from his injuries and said: "Our partnership with Tiger continues."

Others sound less committed. Gillette says its marketing strategy is unchanged, but has left open what might happen in the future.

More ominously, however, several other sponsors have yet to pronounce at all on the matter.

This week, companies such as watchmaker Tag Heuer and IT firm Accenture have continued to run advertising campaigns in the US media featuring Woods.

But they, and other big backers including telecoms giant AT&T, have so far been "unavailable for comment" on whether he still enjoys their full confidence.