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Demand for temporary workers holds firm as hirers put off recruiting permanent staffDemand for temporary workers in financial services and engineering continues to rise as the ongoing economic uncertainty puts hirers off recruiting permanent candidates, according to research by APSCo.
A major step forward for the recruitment supply chain with launch of new code of conduct for RPO and MSPAPSCo has launched a new code of conduct representing the best interests of all parties involved in the Recruitment Supply Chain.
The Recruitment Supply Chain Business Forum – POLL RESULTSThis event was attended by key decision makers from both corporate and public sector clients that engage RPO and MSP solutions. Discussed were the current issues in the supply chain that can affect quality of candidates, size of talent pool to choose from, clarity of liability and financial stability of critical elements within the chain. The APSCode was officially launched during the forum.
APSCo Guide to the Recruitment Supply ChainThis years APSCo yearbook is focused on the often complex Recruitment Supply Chain. With increasing pressures on business from the wider economy, it is important that contracts are clear and fair to ensure sustainable business throughout the chain.
Ann Swain, CEO of APSCo talks about the importance of recruitmentIn an exclusive interview with eScouter Magazine Ann Swain, CEO, APSCo talks about the importance of recruitment as a profession, the Recruitment Practice Standard (RPS), the Recruitment Supply Chain and much more.
APSCo Executive Committee - Election ResultsAPSCo is run by an elected executive committee with representatives taken from the membership. Any member can stand for the executive and there is one member who represents our Affiliate members. Committee members can serve for up to four years but are re-elected every two years. The Chairman, who can only serve for two years, is elected from the committee.
Budget Announcement on Deeming Provision ConsultationAPSCo has some very important information for members following the surprise announcement in the budget that the Government will be consulting on a proposed deeming provision which may require office holders/controlling persons to always pay PAYE tax and NI at source.
APSCo and the Agency Conduct Regulations ReviewAPSCo is working closely with BIS on the Government’s proposed consultation on the review of the Agency Conduct Regulations. Following an initial meeting with Ed Davey, the then BIS Minister last November, APSCo established a Conduct Regulations Working Group to set the main focus and collate evidence based content for a response to the consultation.
APSCo Spring Budget for Recruitment 2012This Summary covers the key tax changes announced in the Chancellor’s speech and includes tables of the main rates and allowances.
Alongside our text we have included tips and traps which you may want to consider.At the back of the Summary you will find a calendar of the tax year with important deadline dates shown.
Spring Budget 2012 - Political Statement from APSCoThe Coalition’s third budget was pitched as being more ‘political’ than its predecessors – a reforming Budget that would lay the roundwork for ‘Britain earning its way in the world’. The Chancellor announced that with the UK firmly on the path of deficit reduction this fiscally neutral Budget would set out measures simplifying the tax system, backing working families and business.
Comment from APSCo on Spring Budget 2012In today’s Budget statement, Chancellor George Osborne said that the Government will press forward with the planned integration of income tax and national insurance contributions, launching a detailed consultation on the issue next month. Recruiters and contractors are concerned that merging income tax and national insurance contributions could erode the tax benefits of contracting.
Demand for engineering skills rises as infrastructure investment hits record highDemand for engineering skills is continuing to defy the otherwise weak jobs market, buoyed by a surge in infrastructure investment, according to research by APSCo.
APSCo members triumphOf the 25 recruitment companies ranked in the recent ‘Sunday Times Best Small Companies to Work For’ 40% were APSCo members and out of the 14 recruiters that made it to the overall ‘100 Best Companies’ league table over a third (35%) were also APSCo members.
New APSCo Finance Sector Group ChairmanAPSCo has announced the appointment of Keith Wilmott - CFO of specialist temporary consultancy Venn Group - as Chairman of its Finance Sector Group. Wilmott takes over from previous Chairman - Uzair Bawany – who held the position of Deputy Chair of the APSCo Executive Committee.
Leading trade association for recruiters placing social workers to merge into APSCoThe leading trade association for recruiters placing professional social workers is to merge into the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo) from 1st February 2012.
All 13 recruitment businesses who are members of the Association of Social Work Employment Businesses (ASWEB) will become full APSCo members while ASWEB itself will, from 1st February 2012, function as a sector group within APSCo, retaining its name and logo.
Nearly a third of businesses expected to terminate temp contracts early because of Agency Workers RegulationsNearly a third of organisations (29%) are likely to terminate contractors and temporary workers assignments prematurely because of the Agency Workers Regulations (AWR), according to research by the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo).
APSCo Social Media Policy for Recruitment Template DownloadSince the release of the APSCo Social Media for Recruitment White Paper, it has been downloaded by a large number of industry professionals and we have received amazing feedback. We subsequently received many requests for a Social Media Policy Template which could assist our members.
As a result we have joined SITEFORUM again to produce a template for members.
APSCo Mount Olympus Charity Ball raises over £67,000 for ChildLineThe Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo) held its 12th annual charity ball in aid of ChildLine of Friday 25th November 2011 at The InterContinental Hotel, Park Lane, London. The charity ball was generously sponsored by First Choice Software, a leading supplier of recruitment software since 1996.
Raising the Bar of Recruitment SurveyIn partnership with Innergy we would like to introduce the “Raising the Bar” Survey. This contains valuable and insightful intelligence about clients in our industry.
The results after analysis reveal what types of professionals oversee recruitment, what clients look for in recruitment companies and many other insights.
The “Raising the Bar” Survey is now available to download.
Social Media Policies for Recruitment Businesses White PaperThe recruitment industry increasingly relies on social media for networking, news and information but such opportunity has grown in the absence of clear regulation exposing recruiters to challenges around protecting business assets and value. The time has come for industry to respond to these changes.
Autumn Budget Statement and Tax Rate ChangesGeorge Osborne started his Autumn Statement by explaining that the forecasts he made a year ago have turned out to be optimistic. Naturally, there was plenty of shouting from those sitting opposite in the House when he put the blame elsewhere: a sharp increase in global prices for fuel and agricultural commodities driving up inflation, the problems with government borrowing in the eurozone, and the long-term impact of the 2008/09 financial crisis turning out even worse than anticipated.
Autumn Budget Political Comments• A review of the Conduct Regulations and the paperwork surrounding the Agency Workers Directive had been announced before, but are still good news for APSCo Members.
• While the Office for Budget Responsibility did not forecast a slip back into recession, it did revise its growth forecast downwards, with unemployment and borrowing both rising.
• The Chancellor announced a range of measures that the Government hope will boost growth in the private sector.
APSCo Awards for Excellence Winners 2011The APSCo Awards recognise and award achievement and excellence and are open to all members, the awards are highly coveted and promote the professionalism of our industry. This year's award ceremony was held at the Barclays Corporate HQ in Canary Wharf on 3rd November 2011.
Demand for contract workers falls sharply as fears of a double dip reviveDemand for contractors has fallen by 13% year-on-year across the UK as fears of a double dip recession intensify, according to research conducted by Staffing Industry Analysts and Innovantage on behalf of APSCo.
APSCo to host first ever Scottish members meeting as part of new strategy for 2012APSCo is to host its first ever meeting in Scotland as part of its new strategy of increasing its presence in Scotland in 2012. The meeting will be sponsored by Saffery Champness, the leading accountancy firm. The meeting, to be held in Edinburgh on October 12th 2011, will include presentations by Sue Dodd of Agile Intelligence and David Hughes of Saffery Champness.
New APSCo sector group for marketing recruiters unveils name and objectivesA new APSCo sector group for recruiters placing marketing, media, creative and communications professionals, has unveiled its official name and objectives at its first meeting.
APSCo to launch free accountancy helpdesk for membersAPSCo is launching a new helpdesk which will provide free accountancy advice to members. The helpdesk will be delivered by Saffery Champness. Saffery Champness, one of the most experienced and knowledgeable national accountancy firms in the recruitment sector, has recently become an affiliate member of APSCo.
APSCo announces partnership with NSPCCThe Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo) has been named an official Partner of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) in recognition of its outstanding support to the children’s charity.
Government quashes rumours it will water down Agency Workers Regulations at APSCo House of Commons receptionThe Agency Workers Regulations (AWR) will be implemented as they currently stand on October 1 2011, and will not be watered down at the last minute as has been speculated, according to a senior civil servant speaking at a House of Commons reception hosted by the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo).
APSCo response to Prime Minister reviewing AWR“Indications coming out of No. 10 that there will be a review of how limited company contractors are excluded from the Agency Workers Directive are to be welcomed. APSCo have provided Government with a methodology that will clear up the lack of clarity that remains and we hope that this will now be adopted.
APSCo RPO & MSP Sector Group poised to agree final wording of its Code of ConductThe Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo) is in advanced talks with recruitment process outsourcers (RPOs) to create a pioneering and comprehensive new charter for RPOs & MSPs.
The new charter follows 18 months of discussions between APSCo, RPOs, recruiters and members of ABFA (Asset Based Finance Association) which represents invoice finance providers.
Surge in demand for engineering and manufacturing skills puts pressure on pay settlements, APSCo findsThe number of new job vacancies in engineering and manufacturing has surged 50% year-on year, putting pressure on pay settlements as skills shortages intensify, according to research conducted by Staffing Industry Analysts and Innovantage on behalf of the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo).
Skills shortages loom as demand for IT professionals surgesThe number of job vacancies in the IT sector has surged 28% year-on-year as businesses ramp up investment in technology and kick-start projects put on hold during the recession, according to research conducted by Staffing Industry Analysts and Innovantage on behalf of the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo).
UK Recruiters expand into Singapore following APSCo trade delegationUK recruiters are opening offices and winning new business in Singapore - one of the fastest growing economies in the world - following the largest ever recruitment trade delegation, led by the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo).
Demand for highly skilled professional workers faring better than rest of UK labour marketDemand for highly skilled professional workers is significantly stronger than demand for workers across the UK labour market as a whole, according to new research commissioned by the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo).
APSCo hosting AWR seminars for recruiters and their clientsThe Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo) is hosting a series of seminars on the Agency Workers Regulations (AWR) for members and their clients. The seminars have been specifically designed for SME members - who may find running their own workshops on the AWR very costly – in mind.
HMRC invites APSCo to join the newly formed IR35 ForumAPSCo has led recruitment industry lobbying on IR35 since its inception in 1999. APSCo successfully lobbied for changes to the draft legislation, which were adopted by the Government before IR35 came into force, and has been putting the concerns of recruiters and contractors on IR35 to the Government ever since.
APSCo Executive Committee elects new Chairman 2011The new Executive Committee of the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo) has elected Stephen Rookes, Group Commercial & Legal Director of NES Group, as its new Chairman. Uzair Bawany, Group Managing Director of Contact Recruitment has been re-elected as Deputy Chairman.
APSCo urges Recruitment Firms to be vigilant regarding AWR indemnity clauses following the publication of the BIS GuidanceAPSCo is advising its members to be cautious on the issue of indemnities in client-led contracts, following the publication by BIS of the Agency Workers Regulations Guidance on 6th May 2011.
APSCo appoints 2011 Executive CommitteeAPSCo has elected its new Executive Committee for 2011, which includes eight new members.
Government to look at issue of indemnity clauses in guidance on Agency Workers RegulationsAnnounced at APSCo event attended by over 260 recruitment executives.
Details of first recruitment MBA unveiled at high powered launch eventDetails of the first ever MBA programme specifically designed for recruitment executives were unveiled at a high powered launch event hosted by Barclays Corporate, the global financial services provider, at its Canary Wharf headquarters on the 27th January 2011.
Agency Workers Regulations GuidanceThe Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has made its Guidance to the Agency Workers Regulations available for comment on its website.
Political Comments on Budget 2011George Osborne delivered a Budget billed as a package for growth, which focused on concessions for businesses and making Britain more attractive to enterprise. Of prime importance for APSCo members is the consultation on merging income tax and national insurance contributions, which could erode the benefits of contracting. Other headline announcements in the Budget were cuts to fuel duty and corporation tax.
APSCo Spring Budget 2011The APSCo 2011 Spring Budget is now available for download
77% of end users, RPOs and recruiters would like APSCo and ABFA to work on a code of conduct for recruitment sector supply chain77% of end users, recruitment process outsourcers (RPOs) and recruiters voted that APSCo and the Asset Based Finance Association (ABFA) should consider drawing up a code of conduct governing recruitment sector supply chains at a half-day debate organised by APSCo and ABFA at the headquarters of the CBI in London on Friday (11/03/11).
Proposals to reform/abolish IR35 could add millions to employment costsThe Office for Tax Simplification (HM Treasury) has published proposals to reform or abolish IR35, the test which is used to determine a worker’s employment status.
One of the proposals is that income tax and National Insurance Contributions (NICs) should be merged, thereby removing the tax incentive for being a self employed contractor.
Job vacancies in financial services sector surge 65% in just one yearThe number of job vacancies in the financial services sector has jumped 65% over the past year, according to data by APSCo compiled by Staffing Industry Analysts.
First Q&A on Agency Workers Regulations guidance notes at forthcoming APSCo members meetingRecruiters will have their first opportunity to quiz the senior civil servants responsible for producing the guidance notes to the Agency Workers Regulations (AWR) at a special meeting of APSCo on March 31 2011. The meeting will be held at the headquarters of the British Medical Association in Central London.
Online Recruitment Standards Consultation BS 8877This British Standard gives recommendations for online recruitment and is applicable to all methods of candidate attraction, screening, storage and selection using internet-based technology up to the point of acceptance of offer. The standard codifies good practice for delivery of online recruitment (direct or outsourced) and identifies the roles and responsibilities of those involved. The standard seeks to encourage increased transparency and improvement of the candidate experience.
APSCo issues fraud alertRecruiters have been warned to take extra care in taking on international assignments by APSCo. The warning follows an incident in which an APSCo member was contacted by fraudsters with suspect contact details.
Dutch plans to introduce licensing for recruiters highlights relevance of APSCo licensing debatePlans by the Dutch government to introduce a compulsory licensing scheme for temporary recruitment companies highlight the relevance of the national licensing debate organised by APSCo last year.
APSCo to launch new online qualification to set professional benchmark for recruitment sectorAPSCo is launching a unique online assessment toolkit and qualification with the aim of establishing a universally recognised high-quality benchmark for the professional recruitment sector (http://www.recruitmentpracticestandard.com).
APSCo join forces with the Asset Based Finance Association to resolve recruitment sector funding issuesThe Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo) is joining forces with the Asset Based Finance Association (ABFA) for a groundbreaking half-day event with the aim of resolving funding issues in the recruitment sector.
Barclays to host launch event for APSCo recruitment MBABarclays to host launch event for APSCo recruitment MBA
Legal update: The Year AheadLegislators and regulators continue to throw new challenges at the industry. At the same time technological, economic and commercial developments in what is an increasingly globalised industry are drawing recruiters into new areas of regulation. 2011 looks to be a particularly challenging year.
APSCo Chief Executive Ann Swain speaks on BBC Arabic on new immigration cap Immigration cap will do little to stem flood of non-EU IT workers to the UK.
APSCo Awards for Excellence winnersThe awards are a major indicator of our professional standards and as such are widely recognised by clients as well as throughout the recruitment industry.
Immigration cap will do little to stem flood of non-EU IT workers to the UK“After five years campaigning on this, we are pleased the Government has decided to tighten up the rules governing intra-company transfers.”
APSCo on BBC Radio 5 and LBC this morning ahead of announcement on immigration capIntra-company transfers (ICTs) must be included in the immigration cap or the Government will fail in its promise to cut immigration from 196,000 to the tens of thousands by 2015.
Immigration cap a blunt tool that won’t significantly reduce immigration“The cap is a blunt tool which could do more damage than good. The vast majority of foreign workers arriving in the UK are EU nationals who won’t be affected by the cap.”
Henley Business School launches MBA in recruitment with APSCoAn executive MBA in recruitment will be launched at the University of Reading’s Henley Business School in September 2011.
APSCo PARTNER WITH THE BRITISH ASSESSMENT BUREAU FOR CERTIFICATION SERVICESInternational standards like ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 can help organisations improve their performance in quality management and environmental sustainability and lead to greater business opportunities as clients favour suppliers that are approved.
Government wrong to exclude intra-company transfers from immigration capThe Government has announced that intra-company transfers – a type of work permit which allows employers to transfer workers from overseas offices to the UK without advertising requirements in the UK first- will not be included in the immigration cap.
Nearly a third of recruiters planning to expand into Europe in the next 12 monthsNearly a third (30%) of UK recruitment businesses intend to expand into Europe over the next 12 months, according to research commissioned by APSCo.
Emergency Budget spells tough times ahead for recruitersThe doomsayers have been forecasting for months that the ‘emergency’ Budget would be apocalyptic in its consequences, heralding savage spending cuts and sharp tax rises.
Proposed immigration cap will not stem flood of non-EU IT workers from coming to the UKThe proposed cap on non-EU workers announced by the Coalition Government is unlikely to significantly reduce the flood of foreign IT workers coming to the UK, says the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo).
Just 10% of recruiters think existing regulation helps the reputation of the industryJust 10% of recruiters think current regulations actually enhance the professionalism of the recruitment sector, according to research by the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo).
Recruitment handbook by APSCo CEO holds the top spot one year onThe Professional Recruiters Handbook by Ann Swain, Chief Executive of the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo), and Jane Newell Brown, continues to be among the biggest selling recruitment handbook worldwide since its launch in April 2009.
APSCo Golf Day 2010 winnersAPSCo Annual Golf Day 2010 winners, scores and pictures
APSCo Employment Update – October 2010Welcome to our October Employment Update. Each month, we review the case developments and legislative changes and pick out the essential issues for you to address to keep up with the ever changing impact of employment law.
Guidance notes critical as Government rejects last-minute changes to Agency Workers RegulationsA ministerial statement was issued today by Edward Davey, Minister for Employment Relations, Consumer and Postal affairs; Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on the Agency Workers Regulations (AWR) 2010.
Agency Workers Regulations Update - October 2010Agency Workers Regulations Update - October 2010
Recruitment Licensing debate very much alive and kickingElectrifying debate at the CBI headquarters and APSCo members voted by text across the country.
Coalition Government could be good news for recruitersAfter 13 years of being swamped by an avalanche of regulation, much of it from the EU, we have a new Coalition Government, which unveiled its legislative agenda earlier this month.
