Company of the year.
13 Jun 2007
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NES Group has been named ‘Engineering Staffing Company of the Year 2006/07’ by ATSCo (Association of Technology Staffing Companies) the voice of the technology staffing industry.
“It is particularly pleasing to win the award at this time, as NES has now been recognised both internationally and domestically, beating off some seriously strong competition,” says Mark Tully, chief operating officer (UK) at NES. “2006 was the first year that NES was a member of ATSCo and we hope that winning the award will increase the perception and scope of the organisation within the engineering sector,” he adds.
“The award itself acknowledges the extent to which clients and candidates receive a first class service from NES, incorporating the ATSCo codes of conduct at the same time as continually improving performance, placements and profits throughout the year,” Mark concludes.
This further supports the 2006 Recruiter Award for Best International Recruitment Firm.
Link Up And High Efficiency
NESTrack has, again, retained its Network Rail Link Up approval and high efficiency logo following an intensive audit. Furthermore, the company - one of only a few Link Up approved organisations that have permission to conduct full audits electronically - passed the training and assessment element of the approval without non-conformity. The faultless score contributed to the overall success of the audit, which is mandatory for all suppliers of safety critical workers within the rail industry.
Says Mark Tully: “Named one of the fastest growing companies in 2006, NESTrack has enjoyed considerable success and our Link Up approval continues to demonstrate and support this. The A1 status achieved in January by quality systems assistant, Antony McQuarrie allows him to assess candidates against an agreed standard of competence and provides further support for NESTrack’s expansion moving forward.”
Skill Base Increase
Specialist rail recruitment firm NESTrack is part of the NES Group, which operates from six locations nationally. The division has a well-established record for being able to supply the industry with skilled professionals. Being a part of the NES Group, which has an enviable reputation for providing a quality, cost effective service, also means that NESTrack has access to an extensive database of candidates, bringing a range of transferable skills to the industry.
The Group is addressing the widely debated skills shortage within the rail industry through its registration as a Level 1 adviser with the Office of Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC). This allows FNC (Foreign National Candidate) resourcers based in Manchester and London to assess the individual circumstances of non-UK applicants in order to provide advice on the best route to take to gain authorisation to work in the UK.
NES is experienced at organising and assisting with the applications for individuals wishing to work in the UK and can advise at every stage of the visa process, ensuring that overseas candidates are kept fully informed and are assisted with their applications.
Says Mark Tully: “We realise that it is no longer enough to have a fully networked database of skilled candidates in order to satisfy the requirements of our broad client base, so it is encouraging to see a considerable proportion of our clients expressing an interest and a willingness to employ skilled Foreign National Candidates.
For companies working within the rail industry, this OISC registration will widen the pool of available NES candidates in a buoyant marketplace, where CTRL, East London line and Victoria Station work (among others), as well as ongoing London Underground work, are all continuing to contribute to an ever increasing demand for suitably qualified personnel.”
“Skilled workers from Bulgaria and Romania are expected to provide additional support when these countries became part of the EU at the beginning of 2007. This will enhance the current international recruitment function at NES, which already includes a flow of candidates from countries in the EU, Asia, the Americas and Africa.
Our advisers are ideally positioned to facilitate the transition of workers to the UK, assisting companies and applicants and providing guidance around the obstacles traditionally associated with hiring non-UK candidates,” Mark concludes.
International operations
Mike Tang, Operations Manager for NES Overseas, Hong Kong is responsible for the North Asia region, with specific focus on key markets such as Hong Kong, Macau, China, Taiwan and Thailand.
Mike manages teams that specialise in: rail; infrastructure; architecture and oil & gas, and identifying and developing relationships with key clients in the region is crucial. This enables the NES Group to work regionally with key clients throughout Asia.
Major rail projects we have supported in the past four years include: the Hong Kong West and East Rail Projects; Taiwan High Speed Rail Project; Taipei Metro Extension; Kaohsiung Metro Project; Beijing High Speed Rail; Wuhan High Speed Rail.
One of the company’s most significant achievements has been to support these projects in supplying cost effective manpower solutions where local in-country candidates are either not available or do not have the appropriate skills to fulfil the requirements.
“We have been able to bring in large teams of engineers on a contract basis to enable on-time completion of key projects,” says Mike Tang. “One such key project was the Taiwan High Speed Rail Project, where we supplied staff from the civil phases of the project, right through to the track work contractors and we are currently supporting several new rail projects in China and Taiwan,” added Mike.
Working with NES has given Mike the opportunity to work in some of the fastest growing sectors within the Asian construction industry. The company’s well-known brand name and reputation has facilitated a strong relationship with both local and international clients in the region.
“By working within a company that embraces change and local cultures, I have been able to work with a team that has included Chinese nationals, Hong Kong nationals, Indians, Filipinos, Singaporeans, and Malaysians,” says Mike. “The part of the job that I enjoy the most after all these years is placing the right candidate into the right job. The sense of achievement is unparalleled, as it shows that you have fulfilled the needs of both your client and the candidate,” Mike concluded.