Public Sector Vacancies

[tdhgeek007]

I don't know if this question is in the right area, but if not, I guess it'll get moved.
How do recruitment agencies usually pick up new business?
Obviously there is the cold-calling side of things, I realise that.
With specific regard to public sector organisations, do agencies usually go through some sort of 'tender' or 'bid' process to be included on a PSL?
Or do agencies usually find themselves being directly contacted by organisations asking for their assistance?

I ask because I've just had to go through what I can only refer to as the most non-productive and diabolical 'discussion' with an 'agent' (possibly chav) about a role I wanted further information about.
It left me questioning how on Gods green earth that agency could have been asked to assist with finding candidates.
I'd rather not reveal specifics of the agency, just wondered how the process works?
Perhaps Andy from S3 or DA might be able to reveal all?

[DaveB]

I don't know if this question is in the right area, but if not, I guess it'll get moved.
How do recruitment agencies usually pick up new business?
Obviously there is the cold-calling side of things, I realise that.
With specific regard to public sector organisations, do agencies usually go through some sort of 'tender' or 'bid' process to be included on a PSL?
Or do agencies usually find themselves being directly contacted by organisations asking for their assistance?

I ask because I've just had to go through what I can only refer to as the most non-productive and diabolical 'discussion' with an 'agent' (possibly chav) about a role I wanted further information about.
It left me questioning how on Gods green earth that agency could have been asked to assist with finding candidates.
I'd rather not reveal specifics of the agency, just wondered how the process works?
Perhaps Andy from S3 or DA might be able to reveal all?

Pretty much all Public Sector jobs are now "managed" by Capita under the Contingent Labour One framework aka CLone.

Departments and other PS bodies submit their requirements to Capita and they then farm it out to agencies. It is supposed to make life easier for PS bodies by only having one "Agent" to deal with but since that agent is Capita it's doesn't really work like that.

[tdhgeek007]

Thank you for that information.

On a slight diversion from topic, I am noticing an increasing number of recruitment agent/consultant job adverts. Wonder whether it's a load of people leaving because they can't hack the pace, getting fired, or god forbid, expansion?

[northernladuk]

Pretty much all Public Sector jobs are now "managed" by Capita under the Contingent Labour One framework aka CLone.

Departments and other PS bodies submit their requirements to Capita and they then farm it out to agencies. It is supposed to make life easier for PS bodies by only having one "Agent" to deal with but since that agent is Capita it's doesn't really work like that.

An emphasis on pretty much though. There are still a number of pretty large groups that don't use Capita and have a PSL. There are also a couple of agencies that are on the GCloud for some reason although I suspect they don't get any business from it as that isn't the way managers go out to look for bodies.

From what I have seen every time a new gig comes out e.g. one for DWP two weeks ago, there were at least 4 adverts on jobserve about it and I got a call from two other agents. I am not so sure there is an increase above and beyond standard ebb and flow. It's just lots of people get involved when a gig appears, so looks like things are going crazy.

[MrMarkyMark]

I ask because I've just had to go through what I can only refer to as the most non-productive and diabolical 'discussion' with an 'agent' (possibly chav) about a role I wanted further information about.
It left me questioning how on Gods green earth that agency could have been asked to assist with finding candidates.

Sounds like most of the agency calls I get

[DaveB]

An emphasis on pretty much though. There are still a number of pretty large groups that don't use Capita and have a PSL. There are also a couple of agencies that are on the GCloud for some reason although I suspect they don't get any business from it as that isn't the way managers go out to look for bodies.

From what I have seen every time a new gig comes out e.g. one for DWP two weeks ago, there were at least 4 adverts on jobserve about it and I got a call from two other agents. I am not so sure there is an increase above and beyond standard ebb and flow. It's just lots of people get involved when a gig appears, so looks like things are going crazy.

Indeed, PS bodies can refuse to use CLone but they have to justify it by showing they can do it cheaper. Current client A is one such body. They can also deal direct on a B2B basis if they want to. The NHS also does it's own thing because it's the NHS and god forbid they should collaborate with anyone else on anything.

GCloud isn't intended to be a recruitment channel, it's specifically for selling cloud services and consultancy. Although a few oddities do seem to have slipped through the assessment process.

[tdhgeek007]

Sounds like most of the agency calls I get

I know you just have to put up with it unfortunately, but it just iritates/angers me when, as someone checking out a possible contract or whatever, you have to put up with that sort of b*llsh*t. It makes you even more concerned when you might have to send your CV to them. I was asking very basic questions, and couldn't really get any decent answers. It makes me hate agencies even more than I do already.
Anyway, part and parcel of life I guess.......

[DodgyAgent]

I have just had some idiot on the phone banging on for half an hour about public sector jobs

[DodgyAgent]

Joking aside we do not deal with the public sector

[yasockie]

I don't know if this question is in the right area, but if not, I guess it'll get moved.
How do recruitment agencies usually pick up new business?
Obviously there is the cold-calling side of things, I realise that.
With specific regard to public sector organisations, do agencies usually go through some sort of 'tender' or 'bid' process to be included on a PSL?
Or do agencies usually find themselves being directly contacted by organisations asking for their assistance?

I ask because I've just had to go through what I can only refer to as the most non-productive and diabolical 'discussion' with an 'agent' (possibly chav) about a role I wanted further information about.
It left me questioning how on Gods green earth that agency could have been asked to assist with finding candidates.
I'd rather not reveal specifics of the agency, just wondered how the process works?
Perhaps Andy from S3 or DA might be able to reveal all?

With the Comprehensive Spending Review underway and budgets being cut anywhere between 20 and 60%, I think it is just wishful thinking on behalf of the agent, and perhaps him trying to justify the small base salary to his manager.