APSCo

📢 APSCo Calls for Greater Collaboration to Make the Fair Work Agency Fit for Purpose In our response to the Labour Market Enforcement Strategy 2025-2026, APSCo has called for greater collaboration between the Government, enforcement bodies (HMRC NMW, GLAA, EAS) and staffing firms as the Fair Work Agency (FWA) develops. Our key priorities for the FWA include: 🔸Implementing robust monitoring and data-sharing protocols 🔹Protecting vulnerable workers without limiting the highly skilled flexible labour market 🔸Streamlining audits and ensuring transparent performance measures 🔹Reviewing outdated regulations to create a level playing field While we do welcome the announcement of a Fair Work Agreement, Tania Bowers, APSCo’s Global Public Policy Director, commented: “What we have to see, though, is more collaboration between enforcement bodies and Government departments who have worked in silo for far too long. It is crucial that this is addressed to streamline processes, prevent unnecessary or irrelevant regulation and to ensure there is the much-needed consistency in recruitment.” 🔗 Read our press release in full: https://lnkd.in/e5nx8AjZ #LabourMarket #FairWork #FWA #EmploymentRightsBill #Recruitment #APSCo

The UK has officially joined the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) – a huge win for recruitment businesses! 🌏 Tania Bowers, Global Public Policy Director at APSCo, highlights that this agreement eases barriers like work visas and local regulatory requirements, making it simpler for UK recruiters to operate across key APAC markets, including Japan, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand. 🔗 Read our analysis of the UK's entry to the #CPTPP here: https://lnkd.in/e_3-M2SX With APSCo’s global teams supporting members through this transition, the CPTPP opens doors to exciting growth opportunities in professional staffing services – a timely boost amidst ongoing challenges in the recruitment sector. #Recruitment #GlobalTrade

📢 Addressing Disability Discrimination in the Workplace: A Call to Action Disability discrimination in the UK workplace is a pressing issue, demanding immediate attention. With 24% of the working-age population identifying as disabled but only 53% of them in employment compared to 82% of non-disabled individuals, the disparity is glaring. This employment gap stems from systemic barriers that pervade every stage of life, from education to professional development. Addressing these barriers is not just a matter of compliance with the law - it is both a moral imperative and a business opportunity. Our latest blog, written by Russell Thompson, Co-founder of Inventum Group, discusses disability inclusion and addressing the barriers faced in order to build stronger, more innovative organisations. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/enhwhJJD #APSCoEmbrace #Recruitment #Disability #InclusiveHiring

To provide even more cost savings for members, we have recently launched our Trusted Partner Discount Programme, which will bring valuable savings for members of up to 50% in some areas 🚀 This brand-new offering enables APSCo members to access unique discounts for Trusted Partner services, including marketing, insurance, ATS and much more. Our Trusted Partners are reference-checked so that we only offer the best of breed suppliers in our sector. We are excited to be able to bring added value to our members, helping them to access the services they need for less. Members can access Trusted Partner Discounts here: https://lnkd.in/e4EQ67AM You can also find out more about our highlights of 2024 and what's to come for APSCo members in 2025 here: https://lnkd.in/ev_qZQQH #APSCo #TrustedPartnerDiscounts #APSCo25 #PoweringRecruitmentExcellence

We had a great time celebrating at the APSCo Christmas Party in London yesterday🎅 Our teams from the London and Frodsham office came together to celebrate a year of hard work, dedication and achievements 🥂 Our team really got into the spirit of the season for Christmas Jumper Day, which managed to raise over £340 for Save the Children. With a delicious Christmas dinner, drinks and lots of dancing, it was a great time to relax after a busy year and connect with the team outside of the office. We look forward to new opportunities and success for 2025! 🥳 #APSCo25 #PoweringRecruitmentExcellence #ChristmasJumperDay

We are dedicated to helping recruitment organisations to protect their businesses and we aim to give members a voice when it comes to new legislation through our government lobbying, consultation meetings and extensive work in Public Policy. Being a member means you will always have access to APSCo as your reliable advisor and voice as we go through periods of legislative change. APSCo members can access the Public Policy Hub here: https://lnkd.in/dEeV_c2U Find out more about our highlights of 2024 and what's to come in 2025 here: https://lnkd.in/e847umHk Tania Bowers #APSCo25 #PoweringRecruitmentExcellence #PublicPolicy

Offer of The Week from APSCo Trusted Partner, Keybridge IT Solutions Ltd ⭐ Keybridge IT Solutions is offering a free Security Audit (usually worth £500). The audit includes: A Comprehensive Microsoft 365 Security Health Check Vulnerability Scan Dark Web Scan Future Recommendations Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/eXzaaKqY #APSCo #Offeroftheweek #Recruitment #IT #Security

Compliance+ Education Standards - Update APSCo has updated its Compliance+ Standards for Education. The changes mainly affect the proof of National Insurance and a clarification for FGM and Prevent training. You can access the new version of our Standards together with a summary of all the changes here: https://lnkd.in/erN-g4ut You can find more guidance in our Education Hub: https://lnkd.in/eKkTUPns #FAQ #FAQWednesday #Compliance

APSCo’s Annual Awards for Excellence showcases the work of brilliant recruitment firms throughout the UK. The awards are a fantastic opportunity for our members to prove their commitment to delivering best-in-class services and provide a fantastic opportunity to promote their brand and win new business. We thought we'd share a quote from Nicholas Barton, Founder and CEO at The Barton Partnership and award-winner at the recent Awards for Excellence 2024. And we look forward to welcoming our members back to the awards in 2025 🎉 Find out more about our highlights of 2024 and what's to come in 2025 here: https://lnkd.in/e847umHk #APSCo25 #PoweringRecruitmentExcellence

📢 Shaping the Future of Agency Work Regulations In response to the Government’s consultation on zero-hour contract reforms, we’ve highlighted that the current proposals are ‘not fit for purpose’ for the professional recruitment sector. 🔍 Our key recommendations: 🔹 Guaranteed hours for agency workers are impractical and often unnecessary. 🔸 Temporary, highly skilled workers, such as supply teachers or healthcare professionals, need flexibility to meet unpredictable demands. 🔹 Fixed-term agency work should be excluded, with clear definitions for “genuinely temporary” roles and opt-out options with proper protections. Our Global Public Policy Director, Tania Bowers, warns: "The proposals outlined in the zero-hours consultation aren’t deliverable and will have a detrimental impact on access to critical temporary resources in highly skilled professions. This jeopardises crucial services in the likes of healthcare, education, construction and other sectors that are already facing significant staff shortages." 🔗 Read our press release in full: https://lnkd.in/eHaamBF9 #ZeroHourContracts #APSCo #FutureOfWork #ZeroHoursReform #Recruitment