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Written by - Stuart Wallis
A Warm Welcome to...Chantelle Nelson
Chantelle recently joined us at 1st Step Solutions in our Newark office, as part of the Midlands M&E Trades team. Here we find out a little bit more about our new colleague. What was the reason you accepted a position with 1st Step Solutions? Mainly because Mike explained the office dynamics and work ethics of the company, which really fitted with my character and how I like to work. So far, it is living up to expectations! What do you enjoy most about working for 1st Step? The banter in the office, talking to clients and candidates and being part of the team! What would you like to achieve working for 1st Step? To grow and develop in the Company, and help 1st Step achieve its aspirations for growth. Finally, tell us something about you that wasn't on your CV? I teach ballroom and latin dancing in Newark during my spare time. I do this because I danced from when I was four years old. I went on to get my teachers certificate and then decided to carry on, being fully qualified by the time I was 17!
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Written by - Stuart Wallis
Mental Health Matters
October 10th around the world should be etched in the calendar each year because it is the day we re-energise the conversation about Mental Health. This year, the focus is on young people and mental health in a changing world. Whether it is the changes in the political landscapes, natural disasters or stress at work or home, people around the world are finding it tough going to handle what life has to throw at them, so it is important that we recognise the need to look after each other. Mental health matters! There are stories every day that we observe about how mental health issues are affecting us, directly and indirectly, and everyone – employers, colleagues, families and friends – needs to take time to look after their mental health; we all have mental health and it is as important that you look after your mental health just like you would your physical health. At 1st Step we are encouraging colleagues to take time to have a cup of tea and talk to each other, just to be a friendly ear and take time to interact with your peers. Take time to look after your friends and family, and check they are ok. Start today; do it every day. For more information on World Health Day 2018, visit the Mental Health Foundation via https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/world-mental-health-day
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Written by - Careena Dabbs
Get it Right - the Right to Work
As a company that takes our responsibility of checking right to work seriously, I’m always surprised when recruitment professionals join 1st Step and have not previously received any sort of training on checking right to work documents. Many companies seem to accept whatever is given to them, or take the opinion that this is the responsibility of intermediaries or sub-contractors as individuals are not directly engaged by them. However, at 1st Step we make it our business to safeguard ourselves and our client’s by checking every individual who is engaged on one of our projects. Indeed it also amazes me how many candidates present outdated documents which still allow them the right to travel, but no longer provide evidence of the right to work, and yet they have not been challenged or advised that they need to update their documents. Over the last few years, we’ve come a long way from stamps in passports, which weren’t very clear to understand and difficult to verify. Now, whilst not particularly well publicised, there are some useful tools available to employers from the home office, including; Full and comprehensive guidance documents and checklists A basic “sanity check” step by step web guide, talking you through what has been presented and whether that person needs additional documents to prove their work. A biometric verification service allows the candidate to share details of their biometric online, confirming the individuals status and enabling you to cross-reference with the documents collected. The Employers Checking Service, which allows you to check the current status of an outstanding application and establish if you have a statutory excuse whilst this is ongoing. This service will normally give a response within five working days. Employers Helpline for any anomalies and exceptions to the rules (and annoyingly there are still some of them) Training Our first line of defence is our recruiters and everyone at 1st Step is given training on the importance of checking right to work documents, how to check them, and when to refer them to the compliance team. Our compliance team act as our safety net and have a comprehensive understanding of the tools available to them and what to look for when checking documents. Where there is any doubt, they will not hesitate to pick up the phone to the Employers Helpline to seek further guidance. Candidate Support Where candidates have presented out of date documents, often because they were unaware that these are no longer acceptable having been allowed to travel and gone unchallenged by other employers, our compliance team will still go out of their way to educate the candidate, correspond with their solicitors if necessary and provide them the information and contacts they need in order to provide the relevant evidence. We also ensure that any candidates working for us are given reminders and any support required where their documents are approaching the time for renewal.
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Written by - Stuart Wallis
A Warm Welcome to... Simon Gerrard
We are pleased to welcome Simon Gerrard to our Senior Management team. Simon joins us as a Director for white-collar services and reporting to the Board. Simon will be based from our Farringdon office and will be responsible for assisting Davinia Farr & Nana Boss to achieve the growth and strategy of their respective Divisions and for all future white collar activities across the UK & USA. Owner & Chairman Simon Cowdrey said, "We are really pleased to welcome Simon to 1st Step - an excellent acquisition as we look to continue our recent strong growth across M&E and Construction white collar sections". He added, "bringing Simon on to the team gives us an added element of leadership that will further strengthen our already successful teams." Simon will be spending time with the teams in Farringdon during his first week, before integrating himself into the wider business and meeting clients and candidates alongside our consultants. Simon can be contacted at our Farringdon office on 0207 760 7622 or by emailing simon.gerrard@1ststepsolutions.co.uk
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Written by - Davinia Farr
What is in a job title?
I was asked recently what Kerrie’s Job title meant when we promoted her to a Candidate Manager. I thought to myself "I could list all of Kerrie’s daily duties and responsibilities" (they would definitely include making me a great cup of tea and of course being my right-hand person when it comes to getting the job done). But then I thought the best way to demonstrate what she does, would be to let the candidates Kerrie manages explain why she thoroughly deserves the job title Candidate Manager; what makes her more than a Resourcer "I have found Kerrie to be most helpful in all aspects in relations to any queries raised. She has a positive approach towards the recruited staff, & a bubbly personality, which installs trust in that union. Hopefully, she has a long career in this industry, as I believe she is an asset to 1st Step, which doesn't come around every day." Electrical Manager – SES Engineering Services "From my experience, I have found Kerrie to be extremely helpful and very professional. She provides you with all the information about a Client and job and delivers It in a warm and friendly manner. She is always cheerful and upbeat." Mechanical Site Manager – Designer Group "I have worked with Kerrie Letchford for the last year and I personally think she is a great woman for any position with any company, She has a lovely personality and extremely helpful at all times." Mechanical Supervisor – Briggs & Forrester Candidates are important to 1st Step and making sure they have the correct information, are continually informed of how the process is going and treated with respect are at the core of what Kerrie does daily and an ethos that is echoed by the values of 1st Step Solutions. I’m very privileged to have Kerrie in my team continually on the hunt for the “best of the best” Mechanical & Electrical Supervisors and Site Managers to work for our clients. To Kerrie, no candidate is ever just a number and to me, Kerrie is an essential part of my team. Thank you, Kerrie, we never underestimate how important you are in our team – can someone please try and find us 10 more Kerries?
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Written by - Stuart Wallis
Recognising Success - Two Promotions within 1st Step
We are delighted to announce that we have promoted two of our consultants to Recruitment Manager positions today, in recognition of their hard work and dedication and in line with our ongoing plans for growth and development of both the business and our people. Find Nicole on LinkedIn Nicole Hodgson - M&E South East Having joined us in 2017, Nicole has quickly become an integral part of our business and proven to have the leadership skills necessary to lead our recruitment team in Wickford. Owner and Chairman Simon Cowdrey said "With our recent restructures, it quickly became apparent to us that Nicole has the ability and skills to take the lead in our M&E trades office for London and the South East. Even though Nicole only joined us last year, her integration with the rest of our business and the commitment she has shown in the best interests of the Company meant this was an obvious choice for us." Find Mike on LinkedIn - Mike Elliott - M&E Midlands Joining as a Consultant, Mike Elliott has been with 1st Step now for two and a half years. After a career in the Army, Mike quickly became an ambassador for the ethos and values of 1st Step and has now been promoted to be the Recruitment Manager for our team based in Newark. Commenting on Mike's promotion, Managing Director Matthew Jones said "Mike has unofficially taken some of the roles of leading the team and supporting the division well over the past 18 months, and his commitment to customer service levels to candidates and clients alike along with a keen eye for detail meant it was the right choice for him and us to promote him to Recruitment Manager", adding "when assessing how best to continue the excellent work our Newark team do it was clear to us that Mike should be allowed to continue and develop his role more formally. We are really pleased that he is taking this opportunity to develop himself and the office".
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Written by - Davinia Farr
Start a career in Recruitment
Do you want a chance to have a career in Recruitment, working out of a vibrant office in the centre of London? We are recruiting new M&E Resourcers for our London (City) office based in Farringdon. You need an ability to communicate well - the telephone will be your best friend! But all of your communication skills, such as being able to construct a job advert, correctly send emails messages and be a part of the team, will make you a success in this role. So if you are interested in working for 1st Step, don't hesitate to get in touch to find out more! Call us on 0207 760 7622 and ask for Davinia Farr.
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Written by - Davinia Farr
Anna-Marie Warren - She's one of our own
I will never forget the day I met Anna, she turned up at Chelmsford Railway station with a mass of curly hair, big hoop earrings and a smile that would light up a room. From the day she started Anna has been one of my most loyal team members. Initially starting in an office Admin position Anna quickly demonstrated a real flair for recruitment, and alongside the office admin duties started to source Site Administrators and Document Controllers to go and work for our clients. This “side-line” Anna started quickly grew and grew, and soon she was focused on recruitment full time as a Delivery Consultant and then a Consultant. Over the 4 years Anna has been in my team one thing has never changed and that is the passion she shows for finding her candidates the right job for them. For Anna, it’s not about where will make her the most money or who will she hit her target with; it’s all about finding the perfect job for her candidates who she cares so much about. Anna’s passion for 1st Step Solutions has stood out since her first day. She is a real team player and works as tirelessly for the good of her team as she does her candidates and she makes me immensely proud every day when I watch her conduct herself with so many of the morals that 1st Step stands for; she is honest, has integrity and above all she simply cares. Over the four years Anna has been with us her desk has grown from just Site Administrators and Document Controllers to also recruiting for PA’s, Office Managers, Technical Coordinators, Commercial / Estimating Administrators, Accounts Administrators, Purchase Ledger staff to name just a few. I cannot thank Anna enough for her unwavering support and hard work and would like to assure any candidate looking for work in Business Support with M&E and Construction that they are in very safe hands with Anna.
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Written by - Stuart Wallis
Max White - Three Years On
Three years ago today, August 17th 2015, Max White passed away after a hard fought battle with cancer. An inspirational man, who was a unique character that you rarely find in life. As a colleague, he was much loved and respected by everyone in 1st Step. It is not often you can say nobody had a bad word to say about someone and know it is true – but Max was one of those guys. Personally, he was a great Father to Ellie and a fantastic friend to those around him, too. His influence inside 1st Step was one thing, but the impact of his personality, professionalism and class in dealing with people reached far beyond the doors of West Hill House in Dartford and our offices that he helped to grow. You can ask many of our clients and industry experts that dealt with Max and they say the same thing – what a great man! Just look at the fundraising his friends and colleagues have undertaken for Live Life to the Max – the generosity and will of countless people to fundraise in his name is an astounding testament to his life and memory and a source of much-needed funding for Cancer Research UK. When Max found out about his cancer, he took it in his stride and fought it. He did get frustrated by the system, but he did it with a positive heart and mind. Dignified in his battle, he started the Live Life to the Max campaign that is still going strong today. He remained a good person to talk to – frank and honest in his opinions but with a heartfelt desire to give the best advice. Genuinely, not a day goes by for us at 1st Step where his name isn’t mentioned in some way. Over half of our colleagues didn’t meet him. But every person has heard about him and understands what he stood for because his values shaped what 1st Step stands for. Honest and loyal confidants that you can rely on. Three years haven’t made it easier to take that he has gone, but his legacy makes his family, friends, colleagues and industry peers from all walks of life remember that there is a right way to be with people. Live Life to the Max
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Written by - Stuart Wallis
Working at full speed
We have so many vacancies on our books at the moment, that is easier to tell you what we are not recruiting for; we don't need astronauts right now. Our teams are working the phones so hard that they make a Comic Relief night telephone operator look like they are on a go-slow! We have vacancies for temporary and permanent placements at a whole range of clients, and we are looking for candidates in every field, be it trades and labour or Project Managers, and everything in between. So what are you waiting for? Visit https://www.1ststepsolutions.co.uk/contact-us/head-office and find the office nearest to you, and give them a call! Your next move and career step is only a call away.
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