National Recruitment Federation

The Irish recruitment industry is rapidly changing. At the forefront of this change is the National Recruitment Federation, a voluntary organization, set up to establish and maintain standards and codes of practice for the Recruitment Industry in Ireland.

Recently, I had the honour of being appointed Vice President of the NRF. The role involves working with, and supporting President Frank Collins, and also gives me a unique vantage point from which to view the changes as they happen, and the challenges to come.

Why is the recruitment industry so important to the economy and workforce? Some representative bodies in Ireland mistakenly believe it’s not. But the facts tell a different story. Aside from contributing approximately €1.5 billion per annum to the Irish economy, a recent survey from global management consultants, Bain & Co, has shown numerous, more subtle benefits. Temporary agency work helps to reduce unemployment, allows the labour market easily match the supply and demand of work, reduces undeclared work, and increases public revenue, thereby, saving public spending.

As well as providing business with their most important asset - people, the recruitment industry also benefits individuals. All candidates who come to recruitment consultancies looking for permanent or temporary positions are trusting us with both their careers and their valuable time. On average a person working on a full time basis will spend around 30% per week sleeping and 24% of their week working. That’s excluding any overtime. We are dealing with a huge portion of people’s lives, so it’s imperative that we work with individuals to establish their exact needs.

As recruitment professionals, there is an onus upon us to remember that our daily norm, where people move from job to job, can be one of the most daunting, and stressful times for the people that come through our doors. It is our job to provide these people with the opportunities they’re looking for, and do so in a supportive and caring environment.

Currently, there are 770 recruitment agency licenses in Ireland with approximately 450 recruitment agencies actually operating.  The jobs market is extremely buoyant, and there is a candidate shortage, making for a highly competitive recruitment sector. It important that recruitment agencies operate with the utmost professionalism and integrity and provide candidates and clients alike with the personal attention that they deserve. That’s where the NRF enters the equation.

National Recruitment Federation members sport the NRF seal of approval, reflecting the level of quality service & professionalism. Members also have access to services such as a host of specialized information, advice, and educational opportunities.
Other benefits include marketing and profile building, affiliation with the CIETT, the world-wide federation of private employment agencies, political lobbying on national & EU level for improved legislation & terms for the recruitment industry, and where would any federation be without a host of annual networking and social events?

This year will see a range of new objectives unveiled for the NRF. There will be increased profiling and promotion of the federation and the recruitment industry as a whole coupled with further NRF lobbying. We are also engaged in writing a certified educational programme for Recruitment Specialists, which will be available to the industry before the end of this financial year.

The NRF will also hold its first awards ceremony for recruitment agencies at the annual dinner on October 5th. The Oscars of the Irish recruitment industry will include 5 categories, open to all recruitment agencies in the Republic of Ireland, and will also feature an award in which candidates and clients will be able to nominate under a number of categories. Thanks to the ongoing work of the NRF, we’re hoping that the independent judging panel will have a difficult job ahead of them deciding who goes home clutching a golden statuette.