UK: Company Relaunches to Tackle Skills Challenge

The search for enough skilled workers to meet the future demands of the East of England energy industry has prompted one recruitment business to rename and relaunch itself ready for the challenges ahead.

Inspired by its own slogan, Beccles-based PDS will from this week be known as People With Energy (PWE Recruitment Group Ltd) focusing totally on recruitment and saying farewell to a 25-plus year heritage since it started life as Project Design Services.

Stuart Smith, who took control of the business four years ago after working there for nearly two decades, said 2013 would be a year of change, evolution and expansion with more than £65,000 invested in the company’s rebranding.

”Over the last few years, we have gone from strength to strength and expect last years £2.4m turnover to leap to £3m this year,” he said. ”We’re not only stepping up the recruitment business but intend taking on six new staff ourselves over the coming three years.”

The group comprises sister companies Forces4Energy, which recruits ex-military personnel for the energy industry, and London-based Forces4City, which has a wider industry brief and specialises in finance and information technology.

And as well as its Beccles headquarters, PWE has offices at OrbisEnergy, Lowestoft, and Sunningdale and is opening shortly in Aberdeen.

”Keeping the lights on is paramount so the energy industry is always buoyant,” said Mr Smith. ”There is not a sgnificant skills shortage yet but with the continuing gas field work, new nuclear and the developing windpower sector, if we do not get our act together now the gap could become huge. We want to ensure clients are prepared.

”What we are looking to achieve as a business is to provide a seamless support service to our clients.”

The company can also offer recruitment process outsourcing to clients without their own specialist or HR teams.

Recruiting everyone from directors and senior managers through to technicians and labourers, PWE has companies like Mott McDonald, Proserv Controls, Tyco Fire & Integrated Solutions and 3sun among its clients.

Mr Smith said they were indebted to EEEGR (the East of England Energy Group) and consultant John Balch for support and funding arrangements during the redevelopment plans.

[mappress]

Press release, February 18, 2013; Image: siemens