As a general statement, I think we would all agree that 2010 was a difficult year for business and employment.  However, as we began 2011 there seemed to me to be very mixed messages from the media and from businesses ……… on the one hand we have the ‘age of austerity’, rising unemployment and VAT increases, and on the other, optimism, the sense that we have hit the bottom and economic forecasts that the private sector will pick up and begin to show real growth in the second half of the year.  The Chief Executive of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation began the year with ‘This is my third New Year message and I am pleased to say it’s also the most optimistic I have sent so far’.  Encouraging to receive on the 4th January!

I’m a positive person and I really do believe that you make things ‘better’ by your own actions.   If you read all the doom and gloom and listen to endless news bulletins all day then that really is a recipe for disaster.  Yes we need to be informed but we also need to get out there and help ourselves.  The White Knight team are all determined and focussed to make it another successful year.

In December we launched our £1000 Permanent Placement scheme; see our website www.whiteknightrecruitment.com – this offer is available until the end of February.  We are now working on a Loyalty scheme for our clients which we will launch in February.   A Loyalty Card is not something you associate with a recruitment agency – but why not?  We all like to feel that we’re getting something extra and that our loyalty and custom is valued.  The scheme will obviously have real cash benefits for our clients and in turn a very positive impact for work seekers with a greater choice and continuity of work placements.  Watch the website for more information.

A month into the year and it does look challenging but it can be positive!

Sandy White
25th January 2011

http://www.rec.uk.com/_uploads/documents/1briefing-for-hirers-march-2011.pdf

Winchester recruitment agency White Knight has attained Audited Status with the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC).

The agency based at Winchester Railway Station scored highly on all aspects of industry compliance and ethical conduct after undergoing a rigorous independent assessment in ten prescribed areas of its recruitment practices.

This audit scheme – run by the REC, the trade association for the UK’s £26.6 billion recruitment industry– is the most comprehensive audit of its kind, providing an official endorsement that any agency achieving it conducts its business lawfully and ethically.

Established in 1989, White Knight specialises in the placement of permanent and temporary staff in secretarial and administration support roles within two sectors – medical and commercial. It places between 120 and 140 temporary staff on assignment each week and is a NHS PASA National Framework Supplier, so also provides staff to the NHS.

A corporate member of the REC, the agency has seven staff headed by co-directors Richard Curtis and Sandy White.

Richard Curtis said of attaining Audited status: “I think it will be of benefit to all of us. It is a reassurance to clients that we are acting in an exemplary way and demonstrating the highest standards, and also to candidates coming to register that they are dealing with a professional agency.

“Having some form of accreditation like this does set you apart from the rest so from our point of view it is a real bonus and a wonderful achievement.”

Kevin Green, the REC’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “Our congratulations to White Knight for attaining Audited status that shows they are performing to the highest standards of best practice to which our members continuously strive.”

Editorial article – Hampshire Chronicle 6 March, 2008

As well as supplying office support staff to businesses in and around Winchester, White Knight Recruitment have specialised in providing temporary medical secretarial staff for the National Health Service and private hospitals in Southampton, Winchester and Basingstoke since 1989.

They are an NHS PASA national framework contractor, supplying all areas of temporary administrative and clerical staff to NHS organisations.
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White Knight Recruitment has decided that this Christmas, instead of spending money on cards and gifts for clients and temporary workers, they will donate their entire Christmas fund to the children’s wards at the Southampton General and the Royal Hampshire County Hospitals.

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As well as supplying Office Support staff to businesses in and around Winchester, White Knight have specialised in supplying temporary medical secretarial staff to the NHS and private hospitals in Southampton, Winchester and Basingstoke since 1989.  Recently, we were awarded a place on the NHS PASA National Framework Contract to supply all areas of temporary administrative and clerical staff to the NHS organisations in the region.

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Over forty people that have worked through White Knight Recruitment received a pleasant surprise last week.  They all received a payment that many of them hadn’t realised was due to them.

By law, every candidate who works on a temporary basis is entitled to a separate amount of money for ‘Holiday Pay’.  Many temporary workers aren’t aware of this law and don’t claim it or simply forget to do so.

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Last Wednesday Davina and Ruth each attended a REC (Recruitment & Employment Confederation) training course.These courses provide an excellent way to update ourselves with new legislation, to meet other Recruiters, and learn new skills.  We both came out feeling more motivated and full of fresh new ideas to share with the rest of the team.

With such a large choice of Recruitment Agencies now available, often the one thing that differentiates us from the rest, is our staff.  By regularly attending training courses, we are constantly improving our skills, enabling us to offer the best possible service to both our Clients and our Candidates.

At this time of year White Knight are approached by University students looking for office-based work during the holidays.  With such large numbers available for summer work, we are able to hand pick those that stand out in terms of personal presentation, telephone manner and even letters of introduction and CV layout. 

Candidates that approach us either in person, by phone or online are assessed initially on all of the above and may then be invited in for registration.  At the point of registration we are looking for those with excellent written and interpersonal skills, good attention to detail and a willingness to be flexible in their approach to work.

It is not always possible to register everyone immediately, but those that are proactive earlier in the summer months have the best chance of securing themselves work, so it is worth making an extra effort to ensure you are remembered.