Finest Workers Overseas Recruitment Agency

REC Warns UK Government that a Whole Generation Could be Lost

admin — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 18:11:16 +0000

The last few years has seen many people suffer because of the economic downturn. The section of the population that seems to be worst hit is the young. Unemployment is taking a heavy toll on those in the age range between leaving school and their mid twenties. This is all very worrying and something needs to be done.

The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) is appealing to the government to do something to prevent the rise of a ‘lost generation’. In previous generations we have witnessed what can happen if young people are unemployed for long; it can mean that they struggle to ever find work.
On July 5th the REC Youth Task Force released a report that highlights the issue and suggests ways that it can be handled. This task force was made up of people from industry, recruiters, and welfare departments and it was chaired by Baroness Margaret Prosse. It concluded that practical actions will need to be taken in order to stimulate demand for workers and encouraging new forms of entry into the workforce such as temporary assignments and internships. Unemployment among young people is predicted to cost almost 5 billion pounds so this is something that affects everyone.
The REC Youth Task Force does not believe that it will be possible to increase funding for youth employment; the UK is still struggling to get back on its feet. What they suggest can be done is that the money that is now available is used more effectively. This can be achieved if all the involved parties come together to work towards a solution; for example employers and educationalists can work more closely together. One of the major challenges that young people face is lack of work experience. The REC suggests building a ‘talent pipeline’ that will get those starting their careers into the job market.
The task force suggested a few specific things that can be done to help young people. They believe that career services should be reformed to better prepare young people and that ‘technical academies’ should be created to provide vocational training. Efforts will need to be made to ensure that all current government training schemes are relevant to our current needs and that those in school are encouraged to learn subjects which are most needed by a skilled workforce. The REC wants business people and recruiters to have a much closer relationship with schools and for them to also take the lead in internship programmes. They also believe that providing a year long holiday from National Insurance will encourage people to enter the job market. It is also hopped that temporary employment can be used as a means to get people into work.

REC Accounting and Financial Services welcomes Government response on gender imbalance

admin — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 17:55:18 +0000

The REC’s Accounting and Financial Services sector group has welcomed the Government’s response to the Women in the City enquiry carried out by the Treasury Select Committee in April.

In its response, the Government accepted that something needed to be done to address the lack of diversity on city Boards, problems with gender pay gaps, flexible working and parental leave.

Commenting on the Government’s response, Bill Haynes, Chair of REC Accounting and Financial Services said:

“It is encouraging to see the Government accept the problems highlighted by the Treasury Select Committee report, whilst the primary objective is to ensure the most capable and outstanding candidates attain the board positions available, irrespective of gender or race, it is crucially important to recognise the need for a productive and balanced team profile within the board.”

He added: “It needs to be accepted by both clients and candidates that most of the existing recruitment practices in our sector can lead to the same people, on the same boards who are then prone to ‘group think’, rather than being innovative in their solutions to problems facing the financial services sector.”

Source:http://www.rec.uk.com/press/news/1152
Released on 15 July 2010

REC calls for more efficient criminal vetting of staff

admin — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 17:57:29 +0000

The REC has called on the new coalition Government to create a more efficient common sense approach to criminal vetting.

In responding to four separate government consultations, the REC highlighted members’ concerns that recruitment agencies often have to process repeat CRB checks, which is both costly and time-consuming.

Commenting on the response, Anne Fairweather, the REC’s Head of Public Policy said:

“The new Government offers an opportunity for a root and branch review of criminal vetting. We need a system which is thorough but can also respond to the day to day reality of temping, which requires speedy placement of staff to cover for sickness or staff on leave. CRB disclosures and checks on barred lists are just one part of effective vetting.

“Recruitment agencies also carry out checks on identity, professional qualifications and references, which along with interviews, are also a vital part of assessing if someone is safe to work with children or vulnerable adults.”

She continued:

“It is common for supply teachers, agency nurses, locum doctors and other agency staff to register with more than one agency to find work, taking out a criminal disclosure with each new agency. This leads to constant re-checking of the temporary workforce, to no great gain. The REC believes that this can be tackled through greater portability of criminal disclosures, within strict guidelines, and through considering the necessity of continuing to apply for criminal disclosures once the Vetting and Barring Scheme is up and running.”

Fairweather concluded:

“The REC fully supports measures to encourage safe recruitment but the CRB must also respond to a workforce that moves frequently.”

The REC’s full responses can be read at: http://www.rec.uk.com/about-recruitment/externalrelations/consultations
source:http://www.rec.uk.com/press/news/1148

Government pensions announcement is big win for the recruitment industry, says REC

admin — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 18:03:06 +0000

The coalition Government has today announced that it would be reviewing the implementation of automatic enrolment into workplace pensions. This is a significant development for the industry and comes after months of REC lobbying to highlight the practical and cost issues that auto-enrolment raises for providers of temporary and contract staff.

Announcing the review earlier today, the Minister of State for Pensions, Steve Webb said:

“The Coalition Agreement confirms our intention to introduce automatic enrolment, which evidence shows is an effective means of increasing pension saving. However, circumstances have changed since the Pensions Commission published its recommendations in 2005. It is right that we consider whether the approach inherited from the previous Administration strikes the right balance between cost and benefits to individuals, employers and for the tax-payer.”

Commenting on this latest development and on the next steps for influencing the debate, Anne Fairweather, the REC’s Head of Public Policy, says:

“This is a big win and provides us with a great opportunity to argue our case for a more flexible implementation of auto-enrolment measures. The scheme would be of limited value to those completing a series of short-term assignments but would risk creating a huge amount of bureaucracy for agencies. We are calling for a common-sense approach and for the specific nature of agency work to be recognised and factored in.”

The review will be conducted by an independent team, led by Paul Johnson, Frontier Economics; David Yeandle OBE, Engineering Employers Federation and Adrian Boulding, Legal and General Group PLC.

The REC has already been in contact with incoming Ministers and will be providing a detailed submission to the review team.
source:http://www.rec.uk.com/press/news/1127

Unique Sourcebook marks five years of REC Research

admin — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 18:01:03 +0000

The REC’s Industry Research Unit (IRU) is today publishing a new Research Sourcebook to mark the fifth anniversary of its launch.

The new publication brings together and summarises some of the key information included in the 50 reports the Unit has produced since it was founded in 2005 and which, for the first time, provides an outline to the shape and structure of the industry.

It is a landmark document for the Unit, which it hopes will become a key reference tool for recruiters wanting to build their business and lobbyists wanting to demonstrate the increasing professionalism of the Industry.

A new and powerful source of market intelligence, the Sourcebook gives information that recruiters can use to win tenders, strengthen client relationships, build powerful business plans, benchmark performance and access best practice.

It is also the lobbyists’ “bible”, summarising much of the key empirical data that has been so successfully deployed to underpin important lobbying positions and improve stakeholder understanding of the recruitment Industry.

Commenting on the new Sourcebook, Roger Tweedy, the REC’s Director of Research said:

“The launch of the Sourcebook is an important milestone for the Unit. I think many recruiters will be surprised by the depth of knowledge that we now have and how this new resource can be used both to win business and to project a positive, professional image of the Industry to the outside world.

“We have always had a focus on producing practical research that makes a real difference. The new Sourcebook is fantastic showcase for this research – and a great map that recruiters can use to navigate straight to the information they need.”

He added: “I would like to thank our sponsors and our research partners for their fantastic support. In particular, I am grateful to the Steering Group of leading staffing firms and stakeholders whose commitment and support has both enabled and guided our research agenda over the last five years.”

Copies of the Sourcebook are being sent to all REC members to give them practical information that will help improve their commercial advantage in an increasingly dynamic and competitive market place.

The REC Research Sourcebook is now available from the website, http://www.rec.uk.com/about-recruitment/research/ResearchSourcebook
source:http://www.rec.uk.com/press/news/1135

REC responds to Chancellor’s £6 billion public sector cuts announcement

admin — Sat, 15 May 2010 18:06:21 +0000

The REC has responded to Chancellor George Osborne’s announcement on where the £6 billion of public expenditure cuts will be made over the next year.

The REC has responded to Chancellor George Osborne’s announcement on where the £6 billion of public expenditure cuts will be made over the next year.

Following an earlier statement from REC Chief Executive Kevin Green before the Treasury announced where the axe would fall, Tom Hadley, the REC’s Director of External Relations has given an initial response as to how the proposed cuts could affect the recruitment industry.

He says:

“Today’s announcement has not provided all the details on where cuts will fall, although the expected freeze on public sector recruitment was confirmed. One of the concerns here is that new skills and competencies may need to be bought in by public bodies to manage the change process.

“An area that is expected to come under pressure is temporary staffing costs. The reality is that there are real benefits in being able ‘flex’ staffing requirements to meet peaks in demand and avoid undue pressure on the permanent workforce.

“Today’s announcement did include a commitment to cull the use of consultants but there will still be a need to bring in highly skilled experts to drive specific projects. This is where interim managers or other temporary staff can play a leading and cost-effective role.”

Hadley concluded:

“There will be huge changes in the way that public services are delivered. In the mid and longer term, these will require a greater need for flexible staffing rather than less. Looking ahead, we will need to monitor the impact that public sector cuts could have the UK’s recovering but fragile jobs market.”

The REC will continue to examine in detail the contents of the Treasury’s programme and will inform members in due course of any further impact that could result on the recruitment industry.
source:http://www.rec.uk.com/press/news/1080

REC Manifesto - creating opportunity and jobs

admin — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 09:12:51 +0000

2010 is the year to influence the political debate ahead of the General Election.

REC Manifesto brings together the industry’s core messages and underlines the contribution that recruitment professionals make to the UK economy and labour market.

The Manifesto is a reference point for our campaigning work in 2010 and beyond. it will provide a valuable tool for taking forward the collective voice of the industry to all the major political parties. REC members can make a difference by spreading the word with local politicians and media contacts and by getting involved in different REC campaigns. The three areas of focus are as follows:

Creating the right economic climate - The next Government must avoid increasing taxes on business to encourage investment and job creation. In the public sector, efficiencies must be delivered without reducing service to the public.
Removing Barriers to Growth - Businesses can drive growth and create employment if the regulatory environment is supportive. The next Government must remove barriers to growth by reducing and simplifying regulation and by championing the UK’s flexible labour market.
Delivering opportunity and jobs - Our jobs market is open, dynamic and flexible; this provides our economy with an international advantage. We must nurture this by building a highly skilled workforce and by harnessing the contribution of recruitment professionals in providing guidance for job-seekers.

New members flood to REC

admin — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 09:15:40 +0000

Released on 8 April 2010
The REC has secured a record number of new members in the first quarter of 2010. This builds on the momentum created last year when over 750 new members joined the REC despite the recession.

In the first three months of the year, 210 recruitment businesses have joined the REC– the highest ever first quarter result since records began. This represents a 76.5 per cent increase on 2009 when 119 new members were elected in the first quarter.

The new members are from a wide range of recruitment interests – from large multi-nationals to SMEs and niche providers. A high proportion of those joining the REC are from the higher-end of the jobs market.

Responding to the record number of new members in the first quarter of the year, REC Chief Executive Kevin Green says:

“It is extremely encouraging to see that businesses are placing a high value on joining their trade body. The surge in media coverage and high-profile policy campaigns has helped to raise awareness of the REC’s work. We continue to listen to the concerns of recruiters through sector group meetings and REC ‘On the Road’ events. Growing the membership means enhancing our collective voice which can only be a good thing for the industry – especially in an election year.”

Commenting on some of the main factor behind the continued increase in new members, Richard Charnock, REC Acting Commercial Director says:

“All members now have dedicated account managers with whom they can discuss issues affecting their businesses. This tailored approach has proved to be a big selling point and is at the heart of our membership offering.

“The difficult economic climate has increased the need for business support and for practical services such as the free legal helpline. Access to the latest industry research and regular updates on new regulations are also key drivers of this membership growth.”

If you are a non-member and would like to join the REC, please visit the website www.rec.uk.com/forms/register-corporate or call 020 7009 2118 for more details.

Migration Advisory Committee recommends expanded list for Pharmacists for shortage occupation list

admin — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 10:08:48 +0000

This post was written by Charles Kelly on March 29, 2010

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) published its latest report last week, making recommendations based on its third partial review of the shortage occupation lists for the UK and for Scotland.

MAC recommends that the pharmacists category on the UK shortage occupation list be expanded to include community pharmacists (those who work for private employers other than the NHS).

The MAC also recommends those orchestral musician jobs that are not for leaders or principals of internationally recognised UK orchestras be removed from the UK shortage occupation list.

The MAC does not recommend any other changes to the UK shortage occupation lists. The recommended Scotland list is unchanged.

As requested by the government, the MAC carries out a partial review of the shortage occupation list every six months. The MAC currently plans to publish a full review of the shortage occupation list in the autumn of 2010.

All the occupations included in the original MAC recommended shortage occupation lists in September 2008 have now been reviewed at least once.

The MAC was formed to provide independent, evidence-based advice on migration to the government. This includes advice on occupations where shortages in skilled labour exist where migration could help meet the needs of the UK economy.

OFW’s used as drug couriers

admin — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 10:11:50 +0000

This post was written by Charles Kelly on March 26, 2010

In a disturbing report by the Inquirer in Manila,, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs this week warned overseas Filipino workers (OFW’s) against unscrupulous individuals who ask or “contract” them to carry items or baggage from Iran to another city in Asia in exchange for money or leisure trips.

In his report to the DFA, Philippine Ambassador to Tehran Generoso Senga said a growing number of Filipino workers in or transiting from Iran got involved in drug trafficking as mules. He said that Filipino victims were asked to bring a certain item or baggage from Iran to another country, usually Bangkok, Thailand or Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Early this month, two Filipinos were arrested by Iranian authorities for attempting to smuggle illegal drugs into the country.

The victims said they were lured by offers of lucrative salaries in exchange for the seemingly easy task of transporting a package with their baggage. The package, upon inspection by the Iranian customs, contained illegal drugs.

Under Sharia law, drug smuggling is punishable by life imprisonment or death by hanging.

“The public is also advised to be vigilant when offered similar job offers in Iran and to first check the veracity of the job being offered with the Department of Labor and Employment or the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency,” the DFA said.

In a related development, Chinese authorities said foreign young women, including Filipinos, are the target of foreign drug traffickers who want them to bring in illegal drugs into their country.

The China Daily, in its report on March 24, 2010, said that young women were seen by international drug traffickers as easy to manipulate or trick into transporting drugs especially when money and relationships were involved. They are usually not the priority target of customs officials for inspections.

Last month, agents of the National Bureau of Investigation busted an international drug syndicate using mostly OFWs as “mules” with the arrest of three West African nationals believed to be the group’s leaders and a Filipino woman while on their way to the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark Field, Pampanga. Seized from them were several capsules containing 500 grams of cocaine.

The foreigners were identified as Mazibane Phemelo Cassim, Marcel Bakayoko, and Camara Ibrahima Sekou, of Guinea-Bissai in West Africa, while the Filipina believed to be their cohort was Elisa Quiros Dimalanta. The NBI said she was used by the syndicate to recruit mostly OFWs as mules who were paid fees from $2,500 to $3,000 each.

NBI Director Nestor Mantaring Mantaring said the agents arrested the suspects while accompanying three of their recruits to the airport, where they were to depart for China.

He said the NBI operation was in response to the increasing number of OFWs arrested in China and other countries for drug smuggling.

Aside from China, Mantaring disclosed that the mules were being sent to neighboring countries like Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Korea and as far away as Brazil and Ecuador in South America.

In particular, he cited a report from the Philippine embassy in Beijing regarding the increasing cases of OFWs who have been convicted and sentenced to death or to long prison terms for drug trafficking.

So far, 185 Filipinos, mostly women, have been detained in various jails in China despite warnings from Beijing that it has adopted more stringent measures against drug smugglers. Source: The Inquirer