Since starting with Contract Scotland in 2007, I have been fortunate enough to work in a number of different sections within the business. This week I embark on another fresh challenge as I return to our Professional Section. No, that doesn’t mean I was in the Amateur team before! Our professional team look after recruitment for client bodies, design consultancies, cost consultancies and architectural practices in Scotland. Having worked in the Professional team at an earlier stage in my career, I will be returning to take the lead on all permanent recruitment for Design Consultancies across Scotland, a section I was last involved with in 2011.
I have spent a very enjoyable few years recruiting for civil engineering contractors and in that time been involved in the successful expansion of that section, growing from a single consultant section to now having a team of 3 supporting in that particular area. I have now left things in the capable hands of Jennifer Ryan, a Senior Manager with 14 years’ experience within the business, managing the Main Contractors. The team is augmented with Amber Mitchell looking after recruitment for SME Civils Contractors and both are ably supported by Nicole Verden-Glenn who has got off to an impressive start since joining us in May as a Resourcer.
As a company we have continued to grow and strengthen in different sections to enable to us to afford the level of care and attention necessary to maintain the productive, long term relationships we enjoy across the industry. It is with that in my mind that I make the move back to the Professional Team, which in itself has grown significantly in the past few years. I will be re-joining as a Senior Consultant working in tandem with Grant Dalziel (responsible for temporary recruitment in the Professional Team) and supported by Recruitment Resourcer, Savanna Henderson who has recently joined our business. We continue to enjoy a remarkably low staff turnover so are able retain a high degree of knowledge and expertise within the business. I am looking forward to working closely with Grant and Savanna as they grow and further their expertise in their respective areas.
Things never tend to sit still within the construction industry so my initial challenge this week is getting back up to speed with the various mergers, acquisitions and other changes that have taken place amongst the Design Consultancies since 2011. I am looking forward to reigniting relations with some of my old contacts in the sector and forging good working relationships with some new faces too.
Perhaps more importantly, I am looking forward to helping engineering professionals in the sector find jobs that will aid their successful career development. One of the most rewarding parts of my job in the past few years has been the regular flow of positive feedback from the various people we have been able to help find new jobs with Contractors. Whether it is recent graduates looking for that first foot on the career ladder, senior level candidates looking for that next step up, ex-pats returning from abroad or talented EU Nationals looking to forge a new career in Scotland, the range of people we have been able to assist has been wide and varied. With that open minded approach and an eye for talent in its various forms we have, in our own small way, been able to help bridge the skills gap in Scotland. This is something I hope to continue in my dealings with the Design Consultancies in future.
If you currently require any assistance or advice in recruitment please don’t hesitate to contact me at jamie.porter@contractscotland.co.uk or on 01786 446651.
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