CIPD Recruitment, Resourcing and Performance Conference

CIPD conference looks for practical solutions to new resourcing challenges thrown up by the recession

CIPD Recruitment, Resourcing and Performance Conference

17 – 18 June 2009, London

This yearís CIPD Recruitment Resourcing and Performance Conference will tackle head on some new and tricky resourcing challenges. Despite the increase in labour supply, getting the right people on board is still a headache for many employers and keeping existing talent has become the priority. Even in this uncertain economic climate, recruitment difficulties still prevail, particularly in specialist skill areas.

According to the annual CIPD Recruitment, Retention and Turnover Survey, due to be launched at the conference, 40% of employers are reducing the number of new recruits hired in 2009 compared with 2008, and most organisations (56%) are preferring to focus more on retaining than recruiting talent.

The conference, made up of four practical half day events focusing on Recruitment, Resourcing, Talent Management and Inspiring High Performance, will provide proactive solutions to challenges such as identifying recruitment savings, coping with a deluge of applicants, recruiting from within and managing the interim, temporary and short term positions that are being used by employers to cope with short term resourcing requirements.

Jill Miller, Resourcing and Talent Planning Researcher, CIPD says: ìIt may seem surprising that in a recession resourcing remains problematic but there has been a notable shift in organisational behaviour around resourcing and that inevitably brings about a whole new wave of challenges. There is more pressure than ever before to have the best people performing at the highest standards but this is set against a backdrop of a slumped economy, tightened belts and increasing workloads.

ìIt is encouraging that many employers have sought to avoid redundancies, clearly demonstrating that they are aware of how important it is to hold on to talented employees. This conference provides an excellent opportunity to examine what employers need to do to retain talent, fulfilling their organisationsí current resourcing needs as well as taking a more strategic view of workforce planning for the long-term.î

The programme will provide advice on what measures will engage and retain top talent critical to see an organisation through to the upturn and beyond. Additionally, a workshop facilitated by Jeff Grout, Business Consultant and author will focus on how to build high performance teams in times of change.

Sessions include:

Recruiting on a Budget – technology agencies or in-house? Kevin Green, CEO, Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and Gordon Bruce, Head of RAF Recruiting, Royal Air Force will talk about the benefits of different resourcing methods and which are best fit for an organisationís recruitment needs and budget

Flexible Resourcing – Steve Lewitt, Former Director of HR Siemens Mobility and John Rolls Head of HR, Comic Relief will look at effectively solving immediate resourcing requirements when recruiting permanent workers is not an option

Engaging Pivotal Employees – Emma Copland, VP Talent, InterContinental Hotel Groups and Edel Conway, Head of Talent, Somerfield will look at how key employees can see a future within an organisation and be clear about the career paths and work that is meaningful to them.