There will be job opportunities in 2011 despite predictions of a 17-year high in unemployment according to recruitment guru James Caan. Mr Caan’s hopeful message is that although jobs in some traditional industries are receding there will be growth in other sectors. “Today’s prediction of unemployment rising to 2.7 million in 2011 is obviously deeply disappointing but it is important that job seekers do not get dispirited. I firmly believe that the next twelve months will create exciting employment opportunities,” said Mr Caan, star of BBC TV’s ‘Dragons’ Den’.

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) predicted today that unemployment will reach a 17 year high of 2.7 million in 2011. That would equate to nine percent of the working population being unemployed – up from the current figure of 7.9 percent. The CIPD estimates that 120,000 jobs will be lost in the public sector and another 80,000 in private industry.

“The renewable energy, healthcare and SmartPhone sectors, to name a few, are growing quickly and all have bright futures. It may be necessary for some job candidates to re-align their skills from traditional industry’s to new areas.”

“The British economy consistently out-performed all predictions throughout 2010. If we can do the same during 2011 some sectors will be demonstrating strong growth,” said Mr Caan. James Caan’s new book ‘Get the Job You Really Want’ is published by Penguin on 6th January to coincide with the busiest period for Britain’s employment market.