subject: Construction Recruitment Leaving Bad Times Behind [print this page] Construction Recruitment Leaving Bad Times Behind
Before the worst of the decline of building projects in the UK, affordable housing was high on the agenda for the Government. Partially funded by Central Government, Local Councils and the Private Sector, there were dozens of new developments under way across the country.
The recession took hold of the construction industry like no other, and it was the first real sign of the way things were going [in late 2008]. Some major contractors started to struggle, and before long there were big name casualties in terms of liquidations and bankruptcy.
Sheffield based construction recruitment agency Linear Recruitment, will soon enter its 10th year trading. They are one company who were in a strong position to tackle the recession. Their general manager, Jon Palmer, says not only was it a blow to the development of much needed affordable housing projects, but also to the many suppliers of tradesmen, general services and suppliers of equipment and tools.
Mr Palmer noted: "I don't think anyone could have predicted how brutal the shift in funding would be. Looking back, it was literally a couple of month's difference between high levels of funding and prosperity, down to no cash flow and projects being pulled. Everything dried up and suppliers were shell shocked".
He went on to add: "The worst part was that you simply couldn't prepare your business for the knock-on effects. Being a supplier of construction staff, we had to work hard to adapt to the change in economic climate and loss of trade. We were lucky to be in better position than most, we saw smaller firms close up almost immediately".
The construction industry is now slowly starting to recover, but mainly due to private investment. Falling property and land prices means funds from privately owned projects are starting to make a difference. Public spending cuts means a lack of Government funds will slow the recovery however, with the next 5 years growth predicted to be slow in terms of housing availability.
As a provider of a mix of both permanent, contract and temporary recruitment services, they are well known throughout the UK as the market leader for construction recruitment services.
