The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) have issued a report which it hopes will be a wake up call to recruiters, employers and policymakers. BUT… how does it affect you if you’re thinking about starting your own recruitment business?
‘Business as usual is not an option’ warns REC. Their report – ‘The future of jobs’ – warns of rising skills shortages and further declines in productivity and competitiveness in the UK market over the next seven years.
We could go on. There are more predictions that are less than positive. In a more upbeat tone the report sets out some goals –
“By 2025 we want good work to be the norm, where businesses champion diversity and inclusion and invest in training and skills development for all staff, no matter what kind of contract they are on. We need to foster a labour market where anyone can both find work and progress within work, irrespective of their background.”
If you’re thinking about setting up your own recruitment business there’s much to think about in all of this. Firstly, you’re going to have to deal with, and work in, the future that the report predicts. A future where ‘demographic changes will see Baby Boomers decline as a percentage of the workforce. Instead, younger generations, who place a higher value on flexibility, work-life balance and personal development, will continue to influence the workplace’.
But, what’s more, you’re going to be a business owner yourself, so all of the changes and developments will affect you, as an employer, a business, over and above being a recruitment business; a business specialising in the very problems and goals that the REC describe.
It’s quite a lot to take in isn’t it? Let’s though get back to the positives. As an experienced recruiter you’re used to changing market conditions and shifts in supply and demand. So there are some more coming. What’s new?
The notion of dealing with younger people who place a high value on ‘flexibility, work-life balance and personal development’ is hardly likely to daunt you. It’s what makes it exciting. (And it probably describes you anyway!).
And as for wanting ‘good work to be the norm, where businesses champion diversity and inclusion and invest in training and skills development for all staff, no matter what kind of contract they are on’ and fostering a labour market where anyone can both find work and progress within work, irrespective of their background’, – well you’re going to agree with that as a recruiter and you’re certainly going to agree with it as a (soon to be) business owner, because they’re probably the values you want to put in to your own venture.
The reality is though that embracing all of the sociological changes that will happen in your market, at the same time as you adjust to the shifts in your own position and responsibilities, is going to be demanding. Which is why we see our role as crucial in the recruitment industry. A role that has one central aim; to help recruitment professionals start up their own businesses.
We do it by providing 100% risk free funding. It will be your business and you’ll have shares in it and draw dividends from it. You’ll be able to pay yourself a salary which is an immensely stabilising factor. We’ll give you access to our state of the art back office and systems, to ensure that you’re operational and efficient. Legal, taxation and property issues – we’re there for you in those as well.
There’s a bigger picture. We’ll never impinge on your autonomy but we will be there for you, as mentors, providing all the data and information you’ll need to steer a course through the choppy waters of change. Because we can’t promise that it will be plain sailing.
What we can promise is that you’ll be able to count on us. That with our backing you’ll be able to concentrate on building your business, staying adaptable and flexible to meet new demands and deliver the right service.
If you’ve had five years continuous experience in recruitment and you’ve specialised in a specific sector for around three years, we should talk. WE can’t think of anyone better to start up their own recruitment business and meet the challenges and changes of the future.