ASC Connections is a multi-disciplined technical recruitment company that
has been supplying businesses across the UK with staff for nearly 20 years.
During this time it has
experienced rollercoaster rides through recessions and economic
downturns to vibrant boom times. Whenever challenging times have occurred, ASC
has not only seen its clients reduce their headcount as part of their cost
reduction process but ASC itself has had to endure the same painful process in
releasing staff to reflect the market conditions.
This process has never been so severe as
during the last recession when, based on a recent survey by ASC, the average
reduction of headcount amongst its clients within the manufacturing sector,
during the period of October 2008 to January 2010 was 50 per cent.
ASC also experienced this same headcount
reduction during the same period which reflected the recruitment industry as a
whole.
In line with the economic recovery during
2010 and the significant increase in the forward order books of organisations
within the manufacturing and technology sectors, headcounts are on the increase
with many organisations showing optimism of returning back to where they were
pre-recession by mid 2011.
In response to this ASC has also increased
its staffing levels and during 2010 has seen a 25 per cent increase.
Managing Director of ASC Connections, Neil
McNally, commented “As a business, we have experienced a dramatic upturn in demand
from our clients especially over the last 6 months to the extent that in
certain disciplines e.g. Engineering
& Technology, we are seeing what is known as a candidate led market.
This is where certain key skills are in such a limited supply that prospective
candidates are been offered handsome salary offers from prospective employers
but are also been counter offered by their existing employers so as not to lose
that skill base. This is mainly the case in areas of manufacturing, engineering
and technology where industries such as automotive, aerospace, pharmaceuticals
and food production are experiencing an upturn in business. Subsequently, the demands
on ASC as a business are now as much about finding the right candidates as
finding companies looking to recruit.
Although this appears to be good for a
recruitment company like ASC Connections, we still have to remain cautious regarding
our own growth because of future economic uncertainty. However, confidence
levels throughout our business are very high.”
This cautious but confident approach is
shared across most private sector employers and HR
personnel ahead of further news of public sector cuts.
A recent survey carried out by REC (The
Recruitment and Employment Confederation) stated that with regards to the
hiring of permanent staff over the next 12 months, 92 per cent of employers
plan to either increase their headcount or keep it static with the feeling of
keeping it static on the increase. There is no doubt what the employment market
is seeing at present, an increase in demand for business critical personnel whilst
a more conservative approach is been adopted for those working in a support
capacity.
