Have a read about the recent survey we have conducted & get involved! 

REPORT WARNS EMPLOYERS RISK STALLING GROWTH BY FAVOURING SKILLS OVER TALENT

A survey of UK businesses conducted by recruitment consultancy Calibre Search shows many continue to favour skills over talent, although they do acknowledge their future recruitment needs should be supported by more investment in training.

Leeds-based Calibre Search conducted a survey of its corporate clients in the built environment, IT and marketing sectors in the run-up to the election amid headlines about the threat to Britain’s economy of skills shortages.

Managing director Mark Lyons commented that employers remain optimistic about finding candidates who can “hit the deck running” despite the widely reported skills shortages, particularly in the construction and engineering sectors.

Over 65 per cent of respondents expect to recruit people with relevant skills, and over 40 per cent expect to find more new starters to join their organisations than last year.

“This is good news for skilled jobseekers, but employers should take note of the drive to recruit skilled workers and take steps to safeguard their talent pool,“ says Mark.

“Skills shortages continue to make the headlines, particularly in the construction sector, so employers should cast their recruitment nets wider to find the right candidates. Transferable skills should not be ignored; it could potentially be damaging for growing businesses to wait for the exact skill set match.“

Investment in training and development for employees looks set to rise, with over 90 per cent of respondents anticipating they will spend the same or more than they did in the last 12 months.

“It’s definitely a sellers’ market, if we draw comparisons with the property market,“ adds Mark. “Individuals with the right qualifications and experience are in an excellent position. We’re advising firms looking to grow their business and workforce to put together packages which address both development and remuneration to attract and retain the best candidates.“

For more information and to see the results of the survey in full, please contact Mark Lyons, Calibre Search mark.lyons@calibresearch.co.uk.

Last Friday was the first Calibre Golf Day. Eight consultants from our Leeds & Manchester offices met on the Yorkshire side of the Pennines at the picturesque Oulton Hall, just outside Leeds. A lack of technique and ability didn’t affect them and apart from a bit of slow play we didn’t embarrass ourselves too much. Strong performances (both playing and coaching) from Mike Tobin and Sam Sykes certainly helped to lift the average.

Congratulations to Mike Tobin for winning the tournament.

Sam Sykes for winning the longest drive.

And Nick Rhodes for winning the hotly-contested Wooden Spoon.

Next year will be an Open competition with friends of Calibre invited to play so if you would like to be notified please let us know.

Here are some more photos of the day!

James - In the bush where he spent most of the day.

Sam - Showing everyone how it's done.

Rob - Looks like he has given up! 

Matthew - Determined to get it in the hole! 

Calibre Search are pleased to announce the launch of our I.T. division spearheaded by Associate Director James Mitchell.

Calibre’s I.T. division works across multiple sectors for both permanent and contract roles throughout the UK and across the full I.T. life cycle.

James brings to Calibre a wealth of experience in the sector. He has established an excellent reputation within the I.T. sector; his areas of expertise include recruiting for e-commerce, investment banking, logistics, consultancies, local authorities & retail organisations. He has recruited for a vertical market (Java – SE/EE/ME), along with the full software lifecycle, ranging from 1st line support, through to Heads of I.T./CTO level.

We are excited both to have James join our team in Leeds and to add I.T. to the other sectors in which we specialise. This will enable us to add additional value to our existing clients as well as start working with new companies in the I.T. industry.

If you would like any more information on what our I.T. division is able to offer, please contact James Mitchell on 0113 2346047 orjames.mitchell@calibresearch.co.uk.

Last year we went to Whernside and decided then that we would return. On Saturday, we started our 25 mile trek up three of Yorkshire’s highest peaks (Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough), raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support. Probably the longest and most difficult challenge we have all been through but all for an amazing charity.

Now we are back in the office, hobbling to the kettle, we are happy to announce that we have raised £1000 and still have some more collecting to do. We will announce the grand total once all has been counted up.

Here are a few pictures of our day

If you’re a business owner you’ll fully appreciate the on-going debate about the value of outsourcing. Non-core activities can begin to take up a serious amount of time and energy as a small business takes off, leaving the management team (if there is one!) struggling to get to grips with processes and practices they know very little about and which distract them from their true passion of growing their business.

Recruitment is one of the areas where outsourcing the process to a consultant with a solid track record in your industry sector can lead to wide-ranging benefits.

Here, our top consultants use their powers of persuasion to highlight the top reasons you should consider using Calibre Search to help ease the burden of the recruitment process…

Access to top talent

Matthew Finlay (Marketing):

“From a client’s perspective not only do you have access to the network of a recruitment consultant who covers a specific industry sector, you will be guided through the process by someone who has dealt with similar situations many times before. This means you have a higher chance of securing the best person for the job.”

More than just a recruiter

Simon Owen (Building Services, Facilities Management and Energy):

“You should use a recruitment consultancy because a true consultant will be able to provide you with advice and knowledge as part of a solution, not just talk about people they are representing or roles they are trying to fill. That is what differentiates someone who operates as a consultant rather than just acting as a recruiter.”

Insight into recruitment and industry trends

Richard Robinson (Built Environment):

“Developing a long term relationship with a good recruitment consultant offers far more than simply finding applicants for positions. They are well placed to offer insights into trends such as how employees see and value company benefits, competitor activity, staff retention issues, and current salary/contract rate trends.”

Passion for recruitment done right

Pete Gillick (Manchester):

“As a consultant I am passionate about the business sectors I work in. It’s equally important for me to make sure my clients’ experience of the recruitment process is efficient and productive as it is for me to understand the needs and criteria of my candidates.”

Still not convinced? Why not get in touch with our consultants and we’ll have a go at answering your questions about why your business should consider partnering with a recruitment consultancy.

Who spotted us in the Yorkshire Post Business Growth supplement last week? "We're seeing strong demand for recruitment support from companies struggling to find skilled candidates." Can we help you grow your business as successfully as we're growing ours?