Hi all,
I'm looking for feedback / comments from other forum members on the current recruitment trend in our industry, specifically in the UK. All comments will be welcome either on here or via PM.

Some time ago we advertised a couple of vacancies for H&S consultancy / training roles in all the usual places including SHP, and were surprised by the lack of applications for an employed role, compared with the number who were looking for 'associate' work. The advertised roles were not unusual, the package offered was reasonable, and our location is not remote. If possible I would like comments from any other members who have been recruiting recently regarding the ratio of applications received, especially if the roles you were advertising were similar.

The reason for asking for your comments is purely to help with a decision regarding the status of my workers going forward, my company has a bank of associates that we do call on occasionally, but in the main we use employed individuals in these roles, in fact we consider one of our 'selling' points is that we use mainly employed consultants / tutors. This thought process may well have to change if my recent findings are backed up by your comments.

Many thanks in advance,
Mike

I would say why so many people would be more interested in 'associate' work i.e. they work freelance/contract is because salaries are so much better and also in the event of redundancy will probably have more money saved up, than what they would get via Statutory redundancy calculations (being a wise freelancer - I would expect them to put money to one side for a rainy day).

If in general h&s work the staff to freelance salary ratios are about the same as the oil & gas sector - then I would expect a freelancer/contractor to earn probably in the region of 75% more by working freelance rather than permanent.

I'm not a recruiter, but am one of those candidates who has been looking for a position, for ages! I don't however apply for all and every position. I make sure my applications are targeted ones, and my covering letter reflects that. I'm not a fan of the scatter gun approach as I believe that would waste my time, and that of the potential employer too.

I get daily emails from all the main recruiters for HSE roles, and that includes SHP. I don't recall seeing your advertisement, but You've not mentioned whereabouts in the Midlands you are. It's possible you were too far away for me for it to be a viable opportunity. I'm based in Derbyshire.

I'd love to be given the chance to apply for a training role. The ones I've applied for typically have been aimed at the younger generation, which is not the sector I'm in.

I'm now trying to pick up ad hoc work wherever I can, which isn't ideal as it's very hit and miss.

I agree with Darren and Walker too.

Edited by moderator 30 October 2014 16:13:38(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Like you, I've also been told I've got great qualifications, although I've already done level 5/6 with a bit of level 7 thrown in for good measure. It's incredibly frustrating.
I hope all goes well for you with the NEBOSH diploma.

Baker, I suspect it's a matter of too many individuals thinking that self-employment is an easy way to earn a good living and then discovering that they have more finger-twiddling time than they anticipated, thus needing to supplement their income. Also as a consultant I use associates rather than employees as I have no desire to accept the aggravation that sometimes goes along with having employees. I made that strategic decision knowing that my scope for business expansion was limited and that I would no longer be working with global organisations.

I have been self-employed now for over 12 years and whilst occasionally fully engaged, I usually have spare capacity and happy to accept "associate" work. It does not pay as well as home-grown client work but there is no development or sales time needed, it rarely gets complicated and there's always the opportunity to say "No" if I don't like the sound of the work. And it's easy to say no if the work is beyond my competence, without having to find somebody else who can do it.

As a consultant, it is very reassuring to know that I can call on others (whom I know and trust) to assist on an "as needed" basis and a good ego boost to know that the reverse is also true.

It works well for me.

I am in exactly the same position,so how do we get that experience?I'm now unemployed and looking for work in a health and safety role.

I have done exactly the same as you, and have environmental too. I think IOSH really really need to listen to their members, and allow job postings, so that IOSH members can help other IOSH members. After all, IOSH is supposed to be a charity. They could always have a closed forum (accesible only by paid up members).