Abbott ‘one of best starting blocks for a career’

Abbott has been named as one of the world’s best companies at which to start a career for the fourth consecutive year.

Industry magazine BusinessWeek’s annual list, entitled the 50 best places to launch a career, has named Abbott as the 13th best firm at which to start a working life.

It ranked as the top healthcare firm on the list and has featured in the chart since 2006.

Criteria evaluated by the publication when compiling the chart includes the availability of training programmes, employee retention and pay.

“While other companies are significantly cutting back on hiring, we see the current economy as an extraordinary opportunity to continue to bring in the best entry-level talent,” explained Stephen Fussell, senior vice-president of human resources at Abbott.

The organisation announced yesterday that it plans to expand its lens technology capabilities with the acquisition of Visiogen, for which it will make a cash purchase of $400 million (244 million pounds).