Politicians are ‘dark clouds’ for the recruitment industry, says REC’s Green
8 December 2014
Now the economy and the jobs market have improved, the “dark clouds” on the horizon for the recruitment industry are politicians, according to Kevin Green, chief executive of the Recruitment & Employment Federation (REC).
Mon, 8 Dec 2014 | By Nicola Sullivan
Now the economy and the jobs market have improved, the “dark clouds” on the horizon for the recruitment industry are politicians, according to Kevin Green, chief executive of the Recruitment & Employment Federation (REC).
Addressing an audience at the REC’s annual IRP awards ceremony, which took place at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel on Friday [5 December], Green said: “This has been a fantastic year for the UK recruitment industry. We grew by 8% last year to a new high of £28.7bn. The sunny days are here and we are bigger better and more successful than ever before. As always in business though, there are a few dark clouds on the horizon – not the economy or the jobs market – the politicians.”
Green said that for the recruitment industry to operate effectively politicians must improve the education system, create a fair tax system and create a workable visa system.
Green said young people are being let down by an education system that is “obsessed” with academic grades and exams. “We want to see work experience back in the national curriculum. We need world-class careers advice and top-notch vocational education. We need the right subjects studied in our schools and universities.”
Green then asserted that the industry needs government to be “business friendly” and not to regulate unless it’s absolutely necessary. It needs to create a tax system that’s fair and creates a “level playing field for legitimate businesses”.
The UK, added Green, faces a “skills and talent” crisis and businesses need to be able to recruit the talent they need from abroad. Speaking on the night, Green said: “We need a visa regime that is simple for big businesses and small businesses to use. We need to remain part of the EU. We do 45-50% of all our trading activity with our partners in Europe.”
During his speech Green also highlighted that while 86% of REC’s members (around 3,300) have passed its online compliance test, there are still 350 recruitment businesses that haven’t.
Only if REC members are compliant, said Green, will “we have a fighting chance” of influencing politicians. “If you don’t, it’s going to be licensing, more regulation and more interference.”
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Addressing an audience at the REC’s annual IRP awards ceremony, which took place at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel on Friday [5 December], Green said: “This has been a fantastic year for the UK recruitment industry. We grew by 8% last year to a new high of £28.7bn. The sunny days are here and we are bigger better and more successful than ever before. As always in business though, there are a few dark clouds on the horizon – not the economy or the jobs market – the politicians.”
Green said that for the recruitment industry to operate effectively politicians must improve the education system, create a fair tax system and create a workable visa system.
Green said young people are being let down by an education system that is “obsessed” with academic grades and exams. “We want to see work experience back in the national curriculum. We need world-class careers advice and top-notch vocational education. We need the right subjects studied in our schools and universities.”
Green then asserted that the industry needs government to be “business friendly” and not to regulate unless it’s absolutely necessary. It needs to create a tax system that’s fair and creates a “level playing field for legitimate businesses”.
The UK, added Green, faces a “skills and talent” crisis and businesses need to be able to recruit the talent they need from abroad. Speaking on the night, Green said: “We need a visa regime that is simple for big businesses and small businesses to use. We need to remain part of the EU. We do 45-50% of all our trading activity with our partners in Europe.”
During his speech Green also highlighted that while 86% of REC’s members (around 3,300) have passed its online compliance test, there are still 350 recruitment businesses that haven’t.
Only if REC members are compliant, said Green, will “we have a fighting chance” of influencing politicians. “If you don’t, it’s going to be licensing, more regulation and more interference.”
• Want to comment on this story? The Comment box is at the bottom of the page. Sorry for the glitch but just scroll right down and share your opinions!
