Firms link up to boost midland job market

Two independent recruitment agencies have joined forces to encourage Midland companies to take the local route to filling vacancies.

Ashfield Personnel, which recruits permanent and temporary staff and Work Box, an online agency for the over 40s, both based in Solihull, are offering their local knowledge, experience and expertise to firms that had been using national agencies to recruit even the most minor local staff.

Bill Field, a Director of Work Box, said: ìWith both our agencies having operated successfully in the region for many years, it makes sense for firms whose recruiting is still handled at HQ levels to come to us to find the best possible local employees.î

Sue Yates, Managing Director of Ashfield Personnel, said: ìOur link up leaves us ideally placed to meet anticipated age discrimination legislation and the growing number of people who do not wish to work full time. We will register the names of over-40s on the Workbox website, while Work Box will refer younger people to us.î

Sue, a senior vice-president of Solihull Chamber of Commerce met Bill Field, whose online agency operates from Vienna House at International Square in Solihull, at one of the chamberís networking breakfasts.

Bill Field added: ìWork Box is building up its online business so that it can eventually start to set up branches around the country and become sector specific.î