MORE than four decades at the forefront of recruitment in North Wales have armed the team at Supertemps with the skills and experience to manage any jobs situation.

Having seen a rise in candidates and clients post pandemic, those attributes have never been more vital, according to the company’s Bangor-based Business Manager, Vicki Armstrong-Smith.

Founded in 1980, the agency - which has a headquarters in Colwyn Bay - experienced a rise in demand across numerous sectors including manufacturing, hospitality, and bilingual administration.

North west Wales has been especially busy for staff at the Parc Menai site, but as well as matching clients with the perfect candidate, much of their time is spent guiding hirers through the process and steering them towards long-term, sustainable solutions in the face of unprecedent obstacles.

“There has definitely been a rise in customers since the pandemic,” said Vicki.

“Our Bangor office is surrounded by industry and Supertemps is the go-to recruiter for many of the local factories because we have a Gangmasters Licence, which is a legal requirement for anyone supplying staff into the areas of food processing and packaging, agriculture, and horticulture, of which there are many in this part of the world.

“Across the board we have seen an increase in the number of enquiries, but also some challenges that were not as common before COVID-19, notably remote and hybrid working, high turnover of staff, people seeking alternative careers and a dearth of new talent applying to work in the sectors that were hardest hit.”

Vicki revealed they have witnessed growth in the past couple of years on the ‘permanent side’ of the business, and green shoots in a wide variety of roles – particularly Welsh speaking.

She added: “As well as temps, the permanent side has taken off again; there are plenty of vacancies out there.

“But some of the biggest issues in filling positions have been a lack of information in job descriptions, unclear job adverts, and employers taking too long to respond to applicants who then move on and continue their search elsewhere - good employers are missing out as a result.

“That’s where the personal touch a recruitment agency can offer is pivotal, rather than trying to do it online without guidance, because it can be a minefield, especially since the pandemic with more remote working, and given geopolitical challenges.

“At Supertemps, we understand and can adapt quickly to the market to better engage both job seekers and hiring clients, which saves both time and money in the long run.”

Managing director Sarah Ellwood said Supertemps has moved with the times and reflected on a change in the way people work, their attitude to conditions and working hours, and more emphasis on the environment and health and wellbeing.

“I think our sector on the whole has embraced these changes, and we ourselves tried to lead by example,” she said.

“We designed a new health and mindfulness strategy for our team, which includes wellbeing days and a shorter working week culminating in ‘Funday Fridays’, as well as other benefits and incentives.

“One team member is off to Bali on sabbatical later in the year – we are constantly looking at what is important to people and weighing that up against business needs.”

Sarah added: “The world of work has changed, and so has the world of recruitment, but one thing that hasn’t is that it’s about people – it always has been and always will be.

“As we and our loyal clients – and those joining us all the time – are discovering, by working together in partnership we can continue supporting the local economy and helping employers find the most suitable person to fill the role, whatever that may be.

“We have great talent in North Wales and keeping it in this region is paramount. If anyone has any concerns or questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us, because after almost 45 years in business we have the tools to help.”