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13 May 2025
Transport & logistics, Graduates/Apprentices/School leavers

Aspiring pilots can apply to join fully-funded training programme

Flight training typically costs in excess of £100k.

The programme has been developed to support Jet2.com’s growth, enabling the leisure airline to fly more customers away to enjoy their holidays on an expanding fleet of aircraft.

Jet2FlightPath is open to candidates from all backgrounds (subject to meeting the application criteria) and aims to boost social mobility and promote diversity within the pilot community. To apply, candidates need at least five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including maths and a science subject, or equivalent qualifications – making Jet2FlightPath more accessible than other programmes.

The selection process, including assessments and interviews, will see successful candidates invited to take their place on a fully funded 18-month Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) training course in the UK, Spain or US, with courses starting this year. Upon completion of the ATPL course, trainees will then be offered Type Rating training on either an Airbus or Boeing aircraft, before becoming a Jet2.com pilot. Three partners set to deliver this training are Skyborne Airline Academy, Leading Edge and FTE Jerez.

When completing the Jet2FlightPath pilot training programme, trainees will also be fully immersed in the operation and culture at Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, “so that they can understand all the qualities that make up the businesses”, a company statement said. This includes gaining exposure to various customer-facing roles such as cabin crew and ground operations.

Jet2.com plans to put 60 pilots through Jet2FlightPath in the first year of the programme and then expand it to attract “even more” aspiring pilots in the coming years as the company continues to grow, the company said. 

The UK’s third largest airline currently employs over 1,800 pilots and will operate a fleet of up to 135 aircraft this summer, flying customers to sun and leisure city destinations across Europe, the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands from 13 UK airport bases.

The brand-new Jet2FlightPath programme opens for applications today [13 May 2025]. Pilots of the future can find out further information as well as how to apply by clicking here.

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6 May 2025
Public sector, Creative/Digital/Media

NEW TO THE MARKET: 5-9 MAY 2025

• Heidrick & Struggles has launched a new Government & Defense Tech Practice, aimed at serving the growing demand for technology leadership within public sector organisations. With governments estimated to account for 10% of global technology and IT services spending, the firm sees this as a significant market opportunity. The practice consolidates the company’s experience from over 200 engagements to provide leadership solutions for organisations delivering technology to national, state and local governments worldwide.

The new practice will support clients by offering leadership search, development and organisational effectiveness services. It brings together more than 30 experienced partners across sectors such as IT services, aerospace and defence, energy and private equity, operating globally across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. The initiative addresses the increasing reliance of governments on advanced technologies like AI, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity and robotics.

• Workforce management solutions firm Matrix has supported more than 10,000 individuals across the UK into employment between March 2024 and April 2025 through its Social Value team. The efforts focused on a wide range of community initiatives, including employability workshops, career guidance and volunteering opportunities. These programmes were designed to help students, jobseekers and public sector employees gain essential skills and access new career pathways.

• UK start-up Project Brains has launched ProdigyPB, an AI-powered platform designed to revolutionise job description creation and recruitment. Tailored for SMEs, growing businesses, and HR teams, ProdigyPB helps define precise hiring needs by aligning job roles with specific business challenges. The tool generates clear, bias-free job descriptions in seconds and enables users to engage with vetted fractional specialists from Project Brains’ talent pool, according to a company statement. ProdigyPB is currently available in Beta across the UK.

28 April 2025
Life sciences, Engineering

NEW TO THE MARKET: 28 APRIL-2 MAY 2025

• Jobmatch Sweden, a leader in occupational psychological testing, is expanding in Norway through a new partnership with consulting firm Sund Raad. Sund Raad, which focuses on enhancing employee engagement for small and medium-sized businesses, will integrate Jobmatch’s DNV-certified Talent test into its services. This marks Jobmatch’s second partnership in Norway, following its 2022 collaboration with Hapro Jobb og Karriere. Jobmatch Talent is a scientifically validated tool used for recruitment and employee development, according to the company press release.

• STEM recruitment specialist Matchtech has launched STEM Futures, a free, on-demand employability platform aimed at helping young people break into engineering and technology careers. The programme includes expert-led sessions on job search strategies, CV writing, interviews and personal development, and is part of Matchtech’s broader initiative to address the STEM skills gap and support emerging talent.

In addition, Matchtech has awarded the first two grants from its Materna Fund, a £2.5k bursary created to support engineering students facing financial hardship. The inaugural recipients, Sergio Carreno Vargas and David Sarembock from the University of Portsmouth, are using the funds to focus on their studies and development without the added pressure of financial strain.

• Meet Life Sciences has launched Synergy, a new standalone service designed to tackle people capability challenges in the life sciences sector that go beyond recruitment. As part of Meet’s evolution into a full-service talent solutions partner, Synergy offers tailored support in areas like workforce planning, leadership development, skills mapping, culture embedding and organisational design. Led by vice-president Kirsty Wilson, the service is built specifically for the life sciences industry and is focused on delivering measurable, outcome-driven solutions. Unlike traditional consulting, Synergy provides hands-on support from design through to implementation, helping clients build the capability needed to grow, adapt and lead in a competitive global market.

• Right Management, part of ManpowerGroup, has launched a refreshed brand strategy called ‘The Right Way’. It’s a human-centred, data-backed framework that aligns workforce development with business strategy. The new identity centres on ‘The Right Way loop’, a distinctive visual element with modern colours and typography that will be used across all brand touchpoints.

25 April 2025
Construction & property, Graduates/Apprentices/School leavers

National student lettings agency launches apprenticeship scheme

In a bid to support young people and grow skilled and knowledgeable individuals for the student lettings sector, loc8me recently launched its 18-month programme, which is open to anyone aged 16-18. The scheme will offer hands-on experience, mentorship and the opportunity to engage in paid work.

Raffaele Russo, founder of loc8me, said: “We’re thrilled to launch this apprenticeship programme, giving young professionals a real chance to learn, grow and begin building a career in an exciting industry.

“Now more than ever, young people are seeking opportunities, guidance and goals to pursue. With this programme, we’re investing in their future – and in the future of the lettings sector.”

Apprentices will have the chance to study the theoretical and practical elements of the lettings industry, and on starting, they will be given a mentor from the loc8me team to support their development via regular meetings throughout the course.

loc8me now operates in 13 major university cities across the UK, including Loughborough, Durham, Nottingham, Manchester, Leeds, Cardiff, Newcastle, Birmingham, Liverpool, Leicester, Hull, Bath and Bristol.

Freya Watson-Russo, academy co-ordinator, said: "At loc8me, we’re committed to nurturing the next generation of letting agents. … We’re giving young people the chance to build a future, gain confidence and carve their own path.”

Founded in 2008 by Russo, loc8me manages more than 2,500 properties and employs more than 75 staff members.

(L-r) Apprentice Ollie Coe, loc8me's marketing assistant and academy co-ordinator Freya Watson-Russo and apprentice Isabel Tebbutt ©loc8me

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11 October 2022
Marketing, Oil & gas/Energy, Transport & logistics, Creative/Digital/Media, Engineering, Construction & property, IT/Telecoms, HR

NEW TO THE MARKET: 10-14 OCTOBER 2022

• Recruitment firm Acorn has announced it is launching a new division named Acorn Building Services. It will combine the UK recruiter’s construction, mechanical, engineering and housing divisions into one, to help increase the availability of sustainable job opportunities for under-represented groups in all sectors.

With an initial focus on South-Wales and Bristol, its Acorn Building Services division will now help drive forward new projects and initiatives to further support its clients in contributing socially as well as economically to areas they work in too.

Lawrence Beach, client development director for Acorn, will be responsible for developing these initiatives, focusing on social value, people pathways, tenders and more. Operations director Osian John will also head up the new division in an operational capacity and drive the day to day running of the team involved.

• Scottish recruitment firm Be Personnel is opening a new office in Dunfermline, Fife. The firm recruits in the food processing, commercial, industrial and driving sectors, as well as recruiting for senior/management level positions. It will open its second Scottish office at the Flexspace Dunfermline business centre in October, staffed by an initial team of four working across recruitment and business development functions.

• Global payroll, compliance and hiring firm Deel has launched Deel Equipment in partnership with equipment workplace specialist Hofy to enable businesses to send remote team members equipment internationally it says in seconds, saving hours on manual tasks. Equipment rental on Deel operates on a subscription basis and pay a flat fee per piece of equipment, with pricing varying based on equipment item, location, and contract length. It is available for new and existing full-time employee contracts.

• Linear Recruitment has announced its current owners have completed a deal to move the ownership of into an Employee Ownership Trust. This means its staff become owners of the company they work for. The recruitment agency specialises in the construction, power, infrastructure and rail industries across the UK, with offices in Newcastle, Manchester, Shirebrook, and its head office in Sheffield.

• Recruitment technology provider Matrix SCM, has launched a revamped brand identity and a new website. Matrix SCM will be named as Matrix. The new site includes features that aim to simplify the site’s navigation and bring it up to date as a valuable resource of information for agencies and clients alike.

Solution sections on the website is the provision for specialist areas such as:

  • Matrix Workforce - A fully managed neutral vendor service which delivers employers recruitment supply chains and systems for hiring and managing contingent workers.
  • Matrix Milestone - Where organisations can buy and manage statement of work, consultancy and professional services projects.
  • Matrix Talent Pool - Helping organisations build a pool of pre-screened, prospective workers who have indicated a desire to work with them.
  • Matrix Cr.net - Our leading propriety platform which automates and manages every step of the temporary worker hiring process.
  • Matrix Umbrella – Provides fully compliant employment contracts and payments for contractors.
  • Matrix Payroll – Provides payment and compliance services for organisations who hire contingent workers.

• Recruitment and staffing solutions company Nicholas Associates has announced plans to open a new office in Leeds following the appointment of Michael Alderson as business manager. The new office will be on Park Row in the city’s business district and will specialise in temporary and permanent recruitment solutions for the built environment. The company is part of the wider Nicholas Associates Group, whose head office is based in Rotherham.

The group recently announced the formation of an entirely new specialist recruitment and staffing solutions company called Aristotle Partnerships.

• The Rightcheck platform has launched ‘My Rightcheck’, fulfilling the capability of the established regtech platform to address all key stakeholders needs. This new candidate-centric app is the third integrated component of this industry for addressing recruitment compliance.

• Learning and Skills platform THRIVE has launched Marketing Studio, a new service that combines consultancy and design to elevate the effectiveness and engagement of learning campaigns. The design side of the service will provide platform teaser videos, campaign banners and other branded resources, supporting L&D teams to deliver sleek, on-brand learning content and campaigns.

Marketing Studio’s consultancy offering means companies can extend their skills with workshops and apply a marketing approach to their learning strategies, helping them meet their business objectives and drive better results from their learning campaigns.

• uComply has been accredited as an Identity Service Provider (IDSP) by a UKAS approved certification body to offer products to help perform ID checks. The audit is carried out against the UK digital identity trust framework and companies that pass receive the relevant kitemarks. It has launched a digital ID service uIDentify, which will:

  • send prospective employees an invitation to upload their own ID documents
  • on receipt of the documents ID authentication checks are performed using biometric data, liveliness and facial recognition
  • A pass/fail notification will be sent within 2 minutes.

• Recruitment technology platform Willo has created a new system that it says will “seamlessly” integrate digital right-to-work checks for UK, Irish and EU workers into the hiring process. The firm has built the tech as a result of a major change to Home Office regulations from 1 October, meaning employers will no longer be able to check workers’ right-to-work documents over video call or email. Willo’s authentication system is built-in as a step of the asynchronous hiring process, meaning applicants can complete identity checks without the need to rely on an external IDSP – creating a simplified process that also offers significant efficiencies for employers.

4 October 2022
Executive search, IT/Telecoms, Apprentices/Grads/School leavers

NEW TO THE MARKET: 3-7 OCTOBER 2022

• Professional services provider FDM Group has announced its apprenticeship programme in partnership with London South Bank University. The FDM paid apprenticeship scheme offers new joiners the opportunity to gain degree-level qualifications as part of the training course. Candidates are given full vocational training in key IT roles, alongside study, as part of the government-approved level six Bachelor of Science degree in Digital and Technology.

• Executive search firm Raines International has opened a London office. Leading the office is managing director Patrick Gray, who relocated to London this summer after opening and leading the firm’s Washington DC office since 2020.

26 September 2022
Marketing & Sales, Life sciences, Commercial & office support, Charity & not-for-profit, IT/Telecoms, HR, Accounting/Finance

NEW TO THE MARKET: 26-30 SEPTEMBER 2022

• Sustainability recruiter and search firm Acre has announced its certification as a B Corporation (or B Corp). Acre has been certified by B Lab, the not-for-profit behind the B Corp movement, as having met rigorous social and environmental standards, which represent its commitment to goals outside of shareholder profit.

The B Corp certification addresses the entirety of a business’ operations and covers five key impact areas of governance, workers, community, environment and customers. To complete the certification, the company will legally embed their commitment to ‘purpose beyond profit’ in their company articles.

• Gleeson Recruitment Group is to open an office in King’s Cross, London, as part of its expansion plans. The firm says the move into the capital, complementing its Birmingham and Reading bases, is a key part of a three-year blueprint that will create “significant” hiring opportunities within the city.

• Job advertising and recruitment marketing recruiter JVP Group has announced it is looking to hire a managing director to drive the next phase of its growth strategy. The North Wales-based firm founder Cath Harrison will continue to work with the new MD on business strategy, but step back from day-to-day operational responsibilities. The company, which is based in St Asaph, supports SMEs, not-for-profit and blue-chip organisations across a wide range of sectors.

21 September 2022
IT/Telecoms, HR

People growth collective Tellent established to deliver one-stop HR tooling shop

The companies involved are Recruitee (ATS and collaborative hiring software), Sympa (HRMS) and Javelo (EPMS) and their acquisition of kiwiHR, which provides HRMS for small-and-medium businesses.

In brief:

  • Tellent, backed by PSG Equity (PSG), offers cloud HR software tools for companies, from recruitment and CoreHR to employee experience and more.
  • Tellent’s acquisition of kiwiHR is the first strategic step to uniting among the ‘best-of-breed’ HR solutions under the newly formed group.
  • Recruitee founder and CEO Perry Oostdam has been appointed as Tellent’s new CEO, while the former COO Robbert Flipsen will step in as CEO of Recruitee.
  • Sympa’s founder and CEO Keijo Karjalainen has been appointed chief strategy officer (CSO) of Tellent, while Jaco Fourie is appointed as the new CEO of Sympa.
  • The teams will work closely together, aiming to benefit by sharing kiwiHR’s ability to serve the SME sector, Sympa’s advanced end-to-end core HR solution, Recruitee’s global presence and Javelo’s experience in performance management.
  • Recruitee, Sympa and Javelo announced their alliance earlier this year in May.

Combined, Tellent’s people growth collective will establish a major HR tech ecosystem in Europe. Backed by PSG, the group’s software solutions seek to offer a unique, insights-driven, collaborative and uniformed approach to talent acquisition, engagement and retention to deliver a one-stop shop for HR tooling.

With over 500 employees across 11 offices, Tellent’s suite of software tools for HR teams in medium-sized businesses serves more than 6,000 customers across more than 100 countries. Notable brands, including Taco Bell, M&S, Asus, Red Bull Media House, Breitling and Espresso House, use Tellent’s solutions.

In a highly fragmented market, full of a growing number of disconnected HR software solutions, Tellent is looking to bring together a full-service offering of among the best-in-class under one umbrella.

Tellent is backed by PSG, a growth equity firm partnering with software and technology-enabled services companies to help accelerate their growth. As majority shareholder of the combined group, PSG will continue supporting Tellent to drive new product development and fund growth, both organically and by providing room for new HR tech to join Tellent’s group.

• Comment below on this story. Or let us know what you think by emailing us at [email protected] or tweet us to tell us your thoughts or share this story with a friend.

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