Stuck for resolutions? The REC manifesto is a good start

Jo Faragher

The REC’s ‘manifesto’ for jobs, launched earlier this month, is a great basis for some new year’s resolutions for those in the industry.

Five months before the main political parties head into a general election, the recruitment industry body has set out its stall for how policy-makers could build the best jobs market in the world.

This is prime time to do this, not just because of a looming polling day, but also because we are at something of a hiatus in the employment market. After several years of recruitment freezes and caution, employers are keen to hire again and are engaging with agencies to help them do this in an agile and cost-effective way.

Some of the recommendations made by the REC are long overdue, such as a simplified tax system and the establishment of an ‘all ages’ career advice service. Its advice that recruiters work more closely with local politicians is also positive, and if followed will highlight the supportive role recruiters can play in local economies.

It stresses that while much has been made of the international jobs market, whether that’s migration of UK workers overseas or increased immigration into this country, it’s also important to build a ‘shop local’ mentality when it comes to jobs creation and sourcing candidates.

With new surveys coming out all the time suggesting skills are in short demand, agencies will also need to step up to the plate next year to both source and nurture the skills their clients need. The staffing industry itself has already worked hard on building a valid vocational route into recruitment, with solid vocational qualifications and now apprenticeships for those who choose it as a career.

Working with clients, agencies can help identify where skills are needed and support them to provide training, whether that’s coming together with other agencies and partners to build buying power, or even by offering skills training in-house.

This is one of the key tenets of the REC’s manifesto; that agencies play a role in encouraging the take-up of employer-led vocational qualifications so supply of skilled workers can meet demand.

If nothing else, doing so will add incredible value to both your candidate pool as an agency, and the support you can offer to your clients.