Current News

REC / IRP - The Week Ahead

This is the weekly snapshot of REC and IRP activities including events, launches, external meetings and policy developments with implications for the recruitment industry.

Monday 23rd April

Prime minister David Cameron will today urge the public to take a "once in a generation chance" for democratic reform by backing city mayors, in a speech in Bristol. Elected mayors could drive local employment initiatives (as has been the case in London) and we will continue to monitor developments on this issue.

Treasury chief secretary Danny Alexander announces further public sector cuts in a speech to the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS).  Monitoring the impact of cuts for recruiters is at the heart of the REC’s ongoing Public Sector Resourcing campaign http://www.rec.uk.com/resourcing

EU employment and social affairs ministers meet in Denmark – REC to discuss outcomes with other European federations at this week’s Eurociett committee in Brussels.

Tuesday 24th April

REC Employment Policy Committee (EPC), London

LinkedIN: The Essentials – REC Training Course, Manchester
http://www.rec.uk.com/events/event1592?keyword=&type=&category=&offset=0

Telephones Sales – REC Training Course
http://www.rec.uk.com/events/event1522?keyword=&type=&category=&offset=0

Wednesday 25th April

Eurociett Public Affairs Committee, Brussels – REC representing views of UK recruitment industry (www.ciett.org)

REC speaking at client seminar on value of recruitment, London

Latest REC JobsOutlook is published

LinkedIN Advanced – REC Training Course, Manchester
http://www.rec.uk.com/events/event1596?keyword=&type=&category=&offset=0

Thursday 26th April

REC ‘In the Round’, Birmingham - Hosted by REC Chief Executive, Kevin Green
http://www.rec.uk.com/events/event1504?keyword=&type=&category=&offset=0

‘Pathways to Pensions’ – Workshop on pensions auto-enrolment measures, London
https://www.rec.uk.com/regions-sectors/sectors/pensionstoolkit/pensionsworkshops

REC Drivers & Industrial Sector Group Meeting, Hinckley
http://www.rec.uk.com/regions-sectors/sectors/Drivers/events/event1652?keyword=&type=&category=&offset=0

Start Up Your Own Agency: REC training course, London
http://www.rec.uk.com/events/event1606?keyword=&type=&category=&offset=0

Introduction to Recruitment Practice, REC training course, Birmingham
http://www.rec.uk.com/events/event1551?keyword=&type=&category=&offset=0

Recruitment Law: Understanding the Essentials – REC Training Course, London
http://www.rec.uk.com/events/event1629?keyword=&type=&category=&offset=0

Friday 27th April

REC ‘In the Round’, Milton Keynes - Hosted by REC Chief Executive, Kevin Green.
http://www.rec.uk.com/events/event1505?keyword=&type=&category=&offset=0

Closing date for REC Council nominations – Get involved and help to make a difference!
http://www.rec.uk.com/press/news/2085

Last week:

Last week saw the fourth meeting of the REC Flexible Work Commission. This included latest feedback from discussions with leading employers on flexible working patterns
The Commission is chaired David Frost, former Director General of the British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) and is now at the half way stage, with the final report and recommendations due to be published in September.

Our latest series of member workshop on pensions reform has kicked off. Last week’s event in Manchester will be followed by a workshop in London this coming Thursday. These form part of our ongoing ‘Pathways to Pensions’ support programme for members https://www.rec.uk.com/regions-sectors/sectors/pensionstoolkit.

Positive developments on a sectoral front included last week’s REC Education which featured speakers from the Department for Education and the Government’s new Teaching Agency. Discussing focused on the positive role that recruiters can play in helping to build the teaching workforce of the future.

On the media front, main focus was on last week’s official employment figures.The ONS data confirmed the more positive outlook flagged in the last REC/KPMG Report on Jobs which showed demand for permanent staff reaching an eight month high. Our press statement also focused on the fact that the increase in part-time work which is not necessarily a bad thing – particularly as it is providing a means for many women to return to the jobs market through flexible working arrangements.

Other media stories and member notes over the last week included:

Jobs figures: Increase in part-time work is a good thing, says REC http://www.rec.uk.com/press/news/2087

IT and technology leading upturn in jobs, says REC Technology
http://www.rec.uk.com/press/news/2086

Public Sector Resourcing - Recruiters can play key role in development of teaching workforce, says REC Education
http://www.rec.uk.com/press/news/2088

REC flags potential scam against recruitment agencies
http://www.rec.uk.com/press/news/2089

Nominations open for REC Council
http://www.rec.uk.com/press/news/2085