UK win for AC 1 Recruitment

St Austell and Camborne-based AC 1 Recruitment beat thousands of other recruitment agencies across the UK for the winning prize in the RECís (Recruitment & Employment Confederation) latest initiative, designed to promote temporary workers.

ëTea for Tempsí day, when the bosses put the kettle on and make tea for the workers, was held on Monday 4th June to mark the first day of National Temporary Workers Week, which celebrates the contribution the 1.2 million strong temporary workforce makes to the UK economy.

AC 1 Recruitment invited three of its temporary workforce - part of Kerrier District Councilís grounds maintenance team responsible for the cleanliness and maintenance of local parks and public spaces - to take afternoon tea by Helstonís Boating Lake and they gladly obliged!

Rob Brogden, Tom Foster and Luis Goncalves, all wearing their high-visibility waistcoats and boots, enjoyed a civilised and tasty afternoon tea on the lakeís island, served by Daphne Hocking, from the Camborne branch of AC 1 Recruitment. On the menu was a full Cornish cream tea with scones, jam and clotted cream as well as a Victoria sponge and a cuppa, all served at a table complete with traditional tablecloth! And of course, it wouldnít be a proper Cornish event without seagulls swooping down trying to steal food!

AC 1 beat thousands of other agencies across the UK to win the initiative, by linking the temporary workers with their environment. As it turned out, it was a typical tranquil Cornish scene with trees and a lake in the background, glorious Cornish weather and a traditional cream tea served on a tablecloth ñ and the twist; three burly men sipping from teacups!

The prize ñ afternoon tea for the winners at a hotel or restaurant of their choice ñ could have been taken anywhere, including the Ritz, but Rob, Tom, Luis and Daphne decided to take the prize locally.

On Sunday 1st July, Rob, Tom, Daphne and their partners along with AC 1 directors, Tony and Shirley Cousins and Mark Sansby, AC 1ís business development manager and his wife, sat down to a wonderful afternoon tea at the magnificent Tregenna Castle in St Ives, which also kindly provided the ten with free use of the hotelís extensive leisure facilities for the rest of the day.

Tony Cousins, managing director of AC 1, said: ìWe are so pleased to have won the award, especially as we were up against thousands of other agencies nationwide, including those with multiple branches across the UK! The judges said that our entry ìclearly epitomises the spirit of Tea for Temps Dayî, which is great. We would also like to thank the owners of Tregenna Castle for their kind hospitality ñ the tea was really lovely and the facilities first class, all set in luxurious, elegant surroundings ñ who needs the Ritz?

ìAC 1 is delighted to be involved in the promotion of temporary workers. We have hundreds of ëtempsí out on assignments at any given time, in roles from labourers to senior technical positions. We find that employment on a temporary basis is becoming the choice for many companies and individuals. The flexibility and variety it provides suits many of the adaptable and dedicated workers in todayís modern lifestyle-orientated society, and it allows companies to adapt to their varying workloads or provide cover when permanent staff are sick or on holiday without the permanency and heartache of hiring and firing. When a position is temporary with a view to becoming permanent, it also provides what is effectively a ëtry before you buyí service, which lets both parties ensure they are happy with a permanent arrangement before entering into one. Anyway, back to the awardÖwe won!î

Anita Holbrow the RECís Marketing Director said: ìWe all agreed AC 1 Recruitment captured the spirit of the Tea for Temps initiative wonderfully, and really showed how valued their temps are.î