The Client's Hiring Challenges
The nature of our client’s projects means that their workforce demand comes in peaks and troughs. The client’s internal infrastructure is not equipped to effectively manage the contingent workforce that comes in tow.
The client’s large operation means that they run simultaneous projects across multiple countries at any given time, facing numerous deadlines and project schedule targets to hit. In addition, the conventional power market is subject to unexpected outages and equipment breakdowns whereby the client must get specialised personnel to site as quickly as possible to mitigate the fall-out on their client’s power output.
Further underpinning the logistical challenges is the limited capability of the client’s payroll department; the client does not have the infrastructure to pay contractors weekly which can pose as a barrier to candidate attraction in that many contractors expect this pay schedule as standard.
Following a successful partnership in the USA, the client tapped into our European capability in search of a provider who could payroll contractors on a weekly basis, and supply personnel at very short notice, whilst organising all required transport logistics.
Our Recruitment Solution
NES Fircroft has a wealth of experience within the conventional power sector, having supplied staff in this area for more than 30 years. Our European office network embodies 15 physical office locations and has placed staff into projects across the continent. Our service goes beyond traditional recruitment to embody market-leading contractor support services.
Dedicated consultancy
We appointed a dedicated recruitment consultant as their key liaison point. Through our decades of operation we have built a significant conventional power talent pool and our consultant leveraged this; through networking and utilising our enormous LinkedIn reach we have been able to pinpoint skilled personnel with ease.
Comprehensive assignment support
Our teams are on hand to assist contractors with all the logistical requirements involved in moving from to country to country – from assisting with obtaining visas, to organising travel and accommodation needs.
Payroll services
Our award-winning payroll team ensure that all applicable taxation is applied and that contractors are paid in the local currency to ensure compliance with local legislation. We are also able to offer a weekly payroll calendar to overcome the client’s previous barrier to candidate attraction.
IR35 consultancy
We keep track of industry legislation to advise our clients about best practises. Through supporting hundreds of contractors in the UK market we have an in-depth knowledge of IR35 legislation and were therefore able to correctly assign several of the client’s contractors under a limited company contract. Before our support, the client was unsure about the realities of IR35 and had needlessly lost several prospective contractors through mis-classification.
Contractor loyalty
The strength of our contractor relationships is evidenced through the fact that many of our contractors have worked several assignments for the client, safe in the knowledge that our assignment support and demonstrable account management will make the process much smoother. Contractors have openly turned down other offers of work in order to re-sign with us onto the client’s projects.
Extensive communication
The client’s broad geography and workforce shift patterns means we are constantly managing a series of time-zones and working outside of core business hours to ensure that operations remain on-track and that all contractors and hiring managers have the support they need. Our round-the-clock communication has been complemented by several site visits across numerous projects.
The Result of Our Expertise
NES Fircroft has now worked with the client for over 3 years in Europe and to date we have supported in excess of 180 assignments including the supply of:
- Winders
- TFAs
- Generator Specialists
- Laser Alignment Personnel
Our established onboarding process, coupled with the efforts of our assignment support and travel team means that we have been able to mobilise contractors to site in a matter of days.
The client has been very complimentary about our compliance track record and risk mitigation to maintain their reputation. We are confident our partnership will continue with many more successes.