That job ad reminds me of a report I wrote some years back - describing a company's quality policy as "Right Fist Time"

Good luck with the job hunting and don't give up.

As an retired employer may I offer this advice.
Look at what employment is available in general in the surrounding area.
Choose a job that as near as possible will pay the weekly bills.
Get enrolled on a Day/night School course that will show your future employer that you have an interest in that job and that you are just not a job hunter.
did not matter how many A levels/Diplomas/Doctorate certificates you have in this market place, what the employers are looking for is dedication, loyalty, ability, determination to progress and above all the ability to get out of bed and dress respectably, arriving at your workstation early, everyday.
Good luck, I have 2 family members in Local Government that could be in the same position sometime later in the year.
I just hpoe that as the workforce decreases so do the HR teams. Offset your Carbon emissions by boycotting Baked Beans and all Green Vegitables.

Take a look at this blog.. http://redundantpublicservant.wordpress.com/
The Blog is quite amusing, start from the beginning to get the full picture...
The links are useful and worth following.
As others have said, it is not about you, its the organisation...
Do not rush into anything or apply wildly for unsuitable jobs. Take some time to reassess your skills and wants, then go for it!
My best wishes for your future
Blame the ConDems for their mad economic non policies and beware the double dip recession
JT Upgraded to an ex demo, 7 mth old, Rimini Red/Ebony Napoli Auto HSE on 28th Jan 2011, added roof rails, mudflaps and side strips.
Gone - A great 57 Plate, Auto SE, Bought Feb 2009, Roof Rails and Mudflaps added on purchase. Blue colour, anything but drug dealer black.....

Sorrry to hear about your job Tony
Was in a similar situation 14 months ago - building trade is still on it's knees.
My advice is to keep the routine, get up at the same time, sit behind the computer and work at getting a job 9-5

Took me 3 months and 800+ applications, in the end ATA and Progressive agencies where the ones with the contacts, they have a vested interest in getting you placed, they do monitor who is applying for jobs - often you apply for a position only to find out that an agecy you are registered with is actually doing the recruiting! on behalf of a client.

Good luck with the search, hopefully as one door closes, another one opens - you never know you might end up with a better job than the one you are leaving.

Andy Tangiers Orange - gone, missing her
Replaced by Ewok what a mistake - now a happy Disco Sport owner

Thanks guys for all the advice, we are looking at putting a proposal together to take to the management, in the mean time reality bites as more and more colleagues are finding out that there jobs are deleted (Council Speak for sacked) or are in the same position as me and have to go up against colleagues for the same job, who they have worked with several years and have become good friends.

Once again thanks for all the advice and support

Cheers
Tony