On assuming control of Labor Readyís UK business in February of 2002, Jeff made it clear that every Labour Ready team member was to be judged by three criteria alone, Integrity, Professionalism and Results. On establishing this basis for progress, Jeff has introduced a training and mentoring programme unrivalled within the recruitment industry. All Labour Ready Branch Managers have sat and passed the RECís Award in Recruitment Practice, with access to this course available to all Team Members. Recent months have seen Labour Ready partner with Lander Associates to deliver Performance Management training across the Company. Externally, Labour Ready has also introduced a Sponsorship Scheme whereby up to 500 Temporary Workers will be able to gain the CSCS accreditation now required to work on many UK construction sites. Labour Ready makes no charge to the Temporary Worker for this and asks no binding contract to be signed.
The motivation for the above initiatives was not altruism alone. Rather, it stemmed from the firmly held belief that the core values of Integrity Professionalism and Results, (in that order) if enacted, could translate directly to the bottom line. Labour Readyís experience over the last two years would certainly bear that out. Jeffís tenure with the company has seen sales catapult from some 8M, p.a during 2002 to a projected 28M p.a for 2004. Moreover, from taking on a regionalized business, with Operational focus almost exclusively fixed within the Northwest of England, Jeff has expanded Labour Readyís sphere of operation to encompass 55 individual locations servicing businesses from Plymouth to Paisley.
Most people involved in recruitment accept that the perception of our industry is not what it could be. Jeffís candidature, in tandem with the continued work of the REC, is the industryís opportunity to address that. It is becoming ever clearer that there is a pressing need for us to raise the bar. To commit to a set of standards and principles that will put us beyond repute. If elected, Jeff has committed to a simple remit; to engender an effort across the industry, inclusive of companies large and small, to bring a set of values to bear that will increase the prestige with which we are held. In doing this, we cannot help but foster a degree of trust within our industry that can only work to increase the number of individuals and companies it is our job to help.
Jeffís candidature for election represents not just an opportunity for the REC, but for the recruitment industry as a whole. Not simply because of Jeffís success with Labour Ready, but rather, because of what he brings with him; a firm belief that a fair and equitable marketplace will also be a successful and profitable marketplace.
New Blood for the REC Board
Jeff Norris, the UK Managing Director of American Staffing Giant, Labor Ready Inc. is standing for election as a Corporate Member of the REC Board.