Audit Commission names JGP online recruitment programmes as examples of good practice

Portal and talent pool cited in spending watchdogís study into local governmentís recruitment strategies

Independent government spending watchdog the Audit Commissionís Tomorrowís People report has named successful projects by web-based HR and talent management provider JGP as prime examples of how councils can build strategic recruitment strategies and save costs in the future.

The watchdogís audit named JGPís e-recruitment portal for Surrey County Council - which saved the authority 400,000 in job advertising, by aggregating local authority, education and probation services job posts in one place - as well as JGPís online talent management pool which has helped Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council social care team to make 47 job hires in only 18 months.

The Tomorrowís People report examines the 55 billion that local government already spends on staffing issues and how workforce recruitment strategies are changing as councilsí performance is more closely monitored.

Richard Tyrie, JGPís co-founder said: ìThe Audit Commission report shows that there is a positive link between more strategic workforce planning and positive continuous performance assessments.

ìIn particular, the audit gives examples of how online channels like talent pools and portals can help local authorities establish strategic processes which are also more cost effective than traditional departmental, paper-based recruitment tools that they have relied on in the past.î

However, Tyrie sounds a warning to councils which still view recruitment as merely a tactical matter: ìWe are concerned that the reportís conclusion that many authorities regard workforce issues as simply operational matters with limited relevance to strategic objectives. With changing demographics such as large numbers of older staff set to retire in the next decade, local government is going to have to radically change the way it recruits personnel. Councils are going to have to strategically use online channels like e-recruitment, talent pools and social media sites, if they are to attract and maintain quality staff in sufficient numbers of in the future.î

For further information, contact: JGP, Tel: 0207 923 5610. E-mail: info@jgp.co.uk