Businesses increasing usage of temps says local recruitment expert

Employers in the South West are set to increase their numbers of temporary staff over the next six months of 2013, as many businesses turn to the expertise and knowledge of recruitment professionals to help them trade their way to recovery, according to one local figure.

Peter Brown, business manager at Frontline Recruitment in Weymouth, says that businesses in the region are looking to “try before they buy” as the economy recovers.

Peter says that local businesses are following the trend of the world’s largest retailer, Wal-Mart, which has revealed it is only hiring temporary workers – the first time it has done so outside the traditional holiday season.

“Some 25 per cent of the people we place are permanent staff, and that is growing, but the vast majority of our business comes through temporary work – and that’s clearly no different whether you’re in Dakota or Dorset.”

Peter says that businesses are increasingly looking to utilise the industry expertise that staff Frontline Recruitment possess. He continues: “ We’re finding increasing numbers of clients holding back from taking on permanent staff and instead using our knowledge to help them find the right people at the right price as the economy recovers.

“It’s purely good business practice; businesses in the South West are only staffing up when they’re busiest. They’re testing the water before they take staff on permanently, and this can only be good for the long-term success of the local economy. Everyone knows that over-trading as we come out of recession can be a very dangerous practice.”

Frontline Recruitment has grown significantly since it opened in May 2012 in Weymouth. From the office, the company serves the Dorset, East Devon and South Somerset areas.

Peter adds: “Since opening we’ve been able to create our own brand. We pride ourselves on providing an honest, ethical service to candidates, who range from unskilled workers right up to management professionals.”

Peter’s optimism comes on the back of recent figures from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) which in its latest survey reported that one in three South West Employers were planning to take on more temporary agency workers this year.

The survey found 92 per cent of employers said they will increase (32 per cent) or maintain (60 per cent) their use of agency workers throughout the entire year.

For more information see: www.frontlinerecruitment.co.uk