A new model of the web-based system Slivers of Time is aiming to help employers tap into the talent pool of available and under-employed people. Up until now, the system has been primarily used to help third sector organisations make use of and manage volunteers. The new version allows paid-for as well as volunteering work to be booked via the platform. 

Chief executive officer Bob McNinch, one of Apple’s original start-up employees in Europe, told Recruiter that it particularly wants to help the large numbers of available people in the 16-24-year-old age bracket. It found that while many of these have mobile devices, they don’t necessarily have a PC so it has used “responsive design” to build the site, which means the system responds to the screen size of whatever device the individual is using, be it a smartphone, iPad, tablet or desktop computer. 

“Slivers of Time’s USP is that it helps people react to something at the last minute,” said McNinch. “This technology increases the options for people to do this no matter where they are or what device they are using.” 

Previously, the site focused on small and precise periods of time (hence its name) but the new model extends this to any length of temporary work. As a social enterprise, Slivers is building relationships with local councils and other public sector organisations to use the available talent pool to directly address their needs. “With 2.5m people unemployed, the old model of waiting for people to apply for a job doesn’t really make sense any more,” said McNinch. “The more flexible approach also allows people to build up their work experience.”

Slivers of Time will be prototyping the new system in East London, Hertfordshire and Bristol, with a view to national roll-out eventually. Among the large employers it has been in discussion with in these areas are local councils and the NHS.

www.slivers.com