Our teams' specialist knowledge and industry networks allow us to recruit for Senior Management, Director and Executive positions across every sector we work within.
1st step recruitment insights
Written by - Courtney Roye
Shaping The Future of 1st Step: Introducing...
1st Step Solutions are delighted to announce Tony Clayden will be joining the 1st Step Group as a Regional Director on the 1st October. Tony will be part of the Basildon team and lead the line in business development; bringing with him a wealth of industry knowledge to boost and expand the newly reformed London & South East Trades & Technical Team. Tony has also been invited to join our main board. Tony has 23 years of Construction Recruitment experience under his belt, specialising in Contract and Permanent recruitment for both Trades and Technical roles within the Construction, Civil Engineering and Building Services sectors. Tony comes highly recommended by a number of key blue-chip companies, providing the highest level of service on a national basis. During this unprecedented time, we can assure our clients – both current and future – that 1st Step is committed to providing a leading service and the addition of Tony to the business will strengthen our service levels. Welcome to the team, Tony!
Written by - Stuart Wallis
Celebrating a 1st Step culture of diversity
At 1st Step, we are proud of our record in employing people based on their ability to do their job and for promoting a diverse workforce. Our latest statistics back up our efforts! Looking at our entire workforce of 50 employees, 60.4% of 1st Step employees are women, some of whom are now 40% of our senior team - almost treble what it was just 4 years ago. In terms of ethnic diversity, employees from a BAME ethnicity now represent 35.4% of our workforce. We believe that our ongoing growth and success is based on our ambition to have people working for us who have the ability to succeed, alongside having a workforce that is as diverse as the communities it represents. It's good to #bea1ststepper
Written by - Stuart Wallis
Positively bucking the trend
Despite recent monthly recruitment monitoring from KMPG and the REC in the UK reporting an ongoing decrease in the availability of candidates across the permanent and temporary markets, we are embracing the challenge, confident that we have the relationships in place with candidates and clients to make the most of this opportunity. The permanent market shows a decrease in the availability of permanent staff of 25.4%, higher than the 22% in April. In the temporary market, the decrease in availability is showing the same trend, with a 14.4% drop in availability, compared with 12.2% drop in April. 1st Step’s Managing Director, Les Fillery said “Although 1st Step has bucked this trend in the same time period, the latest statistics from KMPG and REC bare out what we have been hearing in our conversations with clients and candidates. Uncertainty in the current economic and political climate is having an impact on the jobs market, both in terms of the availability of candidates and the salary expectations of those looking to move, but with the experience of our team, we are seeing this as a positive challenge.” Average starting salaries for permanent staff have increased further in May, with on average increases being at around 17.8%, whilst the temporary/contractor market has seen pay rates increase by around 18%. This trending scarcity of availability has had a significant impact on the “market rates” for new recruits. Analysing the report, REC Chief Executive Neil Carberry said “The jobs market is still creating opportunities for those looking for work. With vacancies rising and starting salaries going up sharply, it is worth people talking to recruiters about the next step in their career.” Our Associate Director, Davinia Farr believes that this gives more reason for candidates and clients to continue to put their faith in 1st Step. “We have excellent relationships with our clients and candidates alike, with my team having industry knowledge that is second to none. We understand what each stakeholder in the recruitment process is looking for, and never forget the ‘consultant’ part of our job.” Davinia advises that “the key to anyone thinking about a move, is to work with a recruiter that wants to understand you and the kind of business you want to work with or the projects you want to work upon. We can then marry this up with the clients we think are best suited to what you want to do. By maintaining close ties with our clients, we understand better than most their internal culture and values, and what kind of candidates they would want to see. 1st Step is not in the game of mass-CV mailshots, but of cultivating the right opportunities for both parties.”
Written by - Stuart Wallis
Matthew Williams promoted to Associate Director
The board of directors are pleased to announce that Matthew Williams has been promoted to the role of Associate Director with effect from 10th April 2019. Les Fillery, Managing Director, said “Prior to joining 1st Step Matthew has been in recruitment for 16 years and used his extensive experience to set up and build a presence for us in the South West. During his time with us, Matt has developed his management skills and built an excellent team who continue to provide a first-class service to our clients. Matt leads by example and I’m looking forward to working with him as we continue to develop our core strengths across the business.” Matt’s duties in managing the South West division will continue but he will also assist with the development of our staff and clients across all aspects and divisions of our business. We hope you will join us in congratulating Matt for a fantastic achievement.
Written by - Stuart Wallis
1st Step support apprentices to shape our future and theirs'
1st Step Solutions is proud to be supporting National Apprenticeship week again in 2019. Our Managing Director, Les Fillery recently said "As a business 1st Step has a long-held belief that it is important to support apprenticeships across the industries we serve, which has culminated in us employing apprentices on major infrastructure projects and significant social infrastructure initiatives such as DNRC in Nottinghamshire. We understand our role in promoting the value of apprenticeships for our clients and the wider industry." He added "supporting local education establishments such as Barking & Dagenham College, Havering College and LSEC alongside secondary schools in educating students on the world of work is something has been high on our list of priorities. It was something our former MD, Max White was passionate about and we will continue that legacy on." Shaping Our Future Whilst acknowledging our role externally to the wider industry, Les also reiterated the importance of investing in our own staff through apprenticeships. He said "a lot of people in recruitment join the industry and learn on the job, and there is nothing wrong with that. But there needs to be a clear level of investment in their time and skills to ensure they can reach their potential with the tools they need to do the job. At 1st Step, we are trying to do that via the apprenticeship route to complement the on-the-job training all staff gain along with experience." The apprenticeship programmes for 1st Step are organised and monitored by our HR Manager, Stuart Wallis. At present, we have four apprentices; Nicole Waymont, who is 12 months into an NVQ Level 3 apprenticeship, and we have just started the same qualification through our new provider, Recruitment Juice, for another three apprentices. Stuart said "Nicole is progressing through her apprenticeship and hopes to be completed in 2019. Through our new partnership with Recruitment Juice, we have now started the same process for three other team members; Lee Lewis and Emma Thomas in our Bristol office, and Hayley Laurance in the Rail and Civils division. It is clear to us that through their commitment to the apprenticeship, and our desire to support them with advice, mentoring and guidance, all of our current apprentices can help to shape the future of 1st Step, whilst being an excellent example to those who wish to follow in their shoes." Past Success - Future Leaders Apprentices at 1st Step is not a new thing either. One of our newly promoted Business Managers, Sean Kelly started as an apprentice at 1st Step and he has gone on to grow what is one of our most successful desks. His hard work as an apprentice, which he carried on as a Consultant, has led to his promotion to being a Business Manager with his aims set for higher destinations, something not lost on the Owner & Chairman, Simon Cowdrey. Talking about those taking on the career challenges, Simon said: "There is nothing more pleasing as a business owner than to see people you employ at the beginning of their career go on to grow into ambassadors of your business." He added "I look at my current Directors and see the likes of Sean, Careena Dabbs and Davinia Farr all having carved a career out of being with us, all in different ways. But every single one of them is a shining ambassador for their colleagues across the 1st Step companies in the UK & USA."
Written by - Stuart Wallis
Shaping the Future of 1st Step continues...
Shaping the future of 1st Step continues The board of directors are delighted to announce that Davinia Farr has been promoted to Associate Director with effect from 28th January 2019. Managing Director Les Fillery said, “Davinia has been with the business for over ten years, she has been dedicated to developing her team and division, to the greater good of the entire company and industry. She is a worthy advocate of the title AD and leads by example and I’m looking forward to working with her as we continue to develop our core strengths across the business.” Davinia’s duties in managing the Management and Technical division will continue, supplying candidates to our clients along with her team. Her role will see her also assisting the development of her colleagues at 1st Step and representing all aspects and divisions of 1st Step to the industry. We hope you will join us in congratulating Davinia in this fantastic achievement.
Written by - Simon Cowdrey
Season's Greetings and Looking forward to 2019
The year 2019 is fast-approaching, and for us, 2019 will be about the foundations of 1st Step; the staff. This year, we have experienced the reshaping of 1st Step, which has been essential in order to contest with the challenges and demands that BREXIT will bring upon us. I hope that despite these obstacles we have maintained career opportunities and the encouragement of progression for everyone at 1st Step. Irrespective of whether a business is a ‘Nike’ or your local corner shop the fundamentals of success remain, it’s with the people – ensuring staff retention, employee engagement and creating a sense of trust and appreciation. Every person within the 1st Step family has an important and equal role to play, both now and in the future. It gives me enormous pleasure when I read the regular staff updates on anniversaries and employment miles reached. I recall one conversation with a staff member, being told that they ‘could never see themselves working anywhere else’. Even one of our Executive Directors celebrating her 15-year service milestone is an enormous achievement. Only this week, we have run an anonymous survey of our staff about their opinions on the business, and the results are very encouraging in terms of communications, progression and people understanding how they fit into the “bigger picture”. Quarter 4 of this year the Board began the project ‘Shaping the Future’ of 1st Step with three newly appointed Executives to the main Board. These appointments provide diversity and perspective in decision making into the direction we head toward in 2019. I can assure that 2019 will bring about even more employee engagement, opportunities, promotions and achievements within the business. We can expect another tough year during 2019 in trading. However, what we all appreciate in recruitment is that every day is as hard as the next. We work in a people’s industry and every conversation, meeting or situation is unlike the last; that’s why we all love what we do. We thrive on challenges. 1st Step has invested hugely in our the future with a new database, compliance, systems and processes. With the continuous support of our staff along with the combined development of the infrastructure, our future is not just looking bright, it’s looking BRIGHT ORANGE!! (excuse the pun!) I know that this Christmas everyone will be treasuring every moment with their family, relaxing, recharging the batteries. I would like to wish all 1st Step staff, clients, candidates and suppliers a wonderful Christmas and I look forward to working with you all in 2019.
Written by - Stuart Wallis
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Everyone at 1st Step Solutions Ltd & 1st Step Resourcing Inc would like to wish our clients, candidates and friends a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Our offices will remain open until 24th December 2018, following which we will remain closed until 2nd January 2019. Should you need to contact us urgently, please get in touch with your usual representative of 1st Step via their mobile phone.
Written by - Stuart Wallis
1st Step now Approved Gatwick Supplier
1st Step Solutions have taken a major step forward in our quest to become the leading aviation construction agency in the UK by becoming approved airside signatories at Gatwick Airport. This means that, as your agency of choice, we can support your business across the airport sector with a security-cleared construction workforce from Labourers to Project Managers. Our Chairman, Simon Cowdrey said "Congratulations to the Heathrow West team on this major achievement." adding "We have always been strong in terms of compliance, so the next natural step for us is to apply this expertise to this area where highly complex security clearance processes are required." Jas Dhunna, Business Manager said, "this is excellent news for 1st Step, and credit must go to Laila Haddad for her hard work in getting this over the line." She added "We are renowned for our customer service, which we are very proud of. It is a testament to this that our clients were willing to support our application, so a huge thank you to them, too." For more information on working for 1st Step at either Gatwick or Heathrow Airports, please call us on 01753 708988 or email heathrow@1ststepsolutions.co.uk and speak to Jas, Laila or Stuart
Written by - Simon Cowdrey
1st Step to soar to new heights with Heathrow West
I am delighted to announce that 1st Step has launched a new office based at Heathrow West This brings two innovative divisions to support the construction industry. We have enlisted a specialist team to clear and pass candidate’s airside for both Heathrow and Gatwick airports, directed by our new Recruitment Manager, Laila Haddad. What’s more, within Heathrow West, we have further new division focusing on the recruitment of construction trades within the M25 and South East. This team will be headed up by our newly appointed Business Manager, Jas Dhunna. The 1st Step vision is to create a platform that allows our employees to excel; both externally for our clients, but also in their own personal development and career progression. It goes without saying that the staff at 1st Step are what leads and drives our business. The growth & development of our 1st Step family is equally as important as the growth of our business.
Written by - Katherine Castellanos
1st Step Resourcing Inc. at the 11th Annual CFMA Awards
Our colleagues Katherine Castellanos and Anthony Isidro were last night in attendance at the 11th Annual Construction Financial Management Awards at the Crest Hollow Country Club, Woodbury, New York. At the event, Ed Harms, Managing Partner of Island Companies and Laura Curran, Nassau County Executive were honored as Construction Executives of the Year. Katherine, Branch Manager for 1st Step in New York, said "it was a great pleasure to attend the CFMA awards in their 11th Annual event. It was not only a great opportunity to network with some of the largest construction companies around the NYC area, but it was also raising awareness for a great cause in supporting Contractors for Kids". Katherine added "I would once again like to thank Keisha and Danielle for the invitation and also congratulate Ed Harms on receiving the construction Executive of the Year. We look forward to supporting future events and furthering the brand name of 1st Step".
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.
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.
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
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.
Written by - Stuart Wallis
Muddy to the Max = Completed!
We are pleased to be able to give an update on the successful completion of Muddy to the Max by our Management & Technical Team! Further to our post on 26 June, we are delighted to confirm that as of the time publishing, the team (left to right) of Emily, Anna-Marie, Davinia and Kerrie have raised a whopping £835! Running through mud, sweat and tears the team really represented a true team spirit. Our Chairman, Simon Cowdrey said "I am immensely proud of Davinia, Kerrie, Anna-Marie and Emily for doing this. Live Life to the Max is our chosen charity, raising funds for Cancer Research in memory of our dear friend Max White, and the ongoing efforts of the teams across our business are a credit to his lasting impact on 1st Step and anyone who ever met him. I am pretty sure that he will have been looking down in awe at Davinia and the team running around in the mud!" You can still support the team if you wish - visit https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/team/muddy-to-the-max%C2%A0 for more information.
Written by - Danica Price
Both Sides of the Fence - Danica Price
Three weeks into my new role as a Business Development Consultant for 1st Step Solutions there’s still a little pause as I’m passing on my email address, For a long time, this was the email address I was sending my weekly timesheet to… I’d worked as a DC for almost 7 years when in 2010 company redundancy’s put me in the path of 1st Step. Within a couple of weeks, I was settling into my new DC role for one of 1st steps clients and leading M&E contractors. This was my first experience with an agency and was surprised at how easy the new start process was, the team were not only highly professional but very welcoming and approachable too. Almost 5 years later I decided to leave the UK for a couple of years of travelling, When I returned to London in 2017 there was only one place I was going to call…1st Step Solutions. Within a couple of days, I was sent for an interview, a couple of weeks later I was again getting stuck into my new job for another of the country’s leading M&E companies where is stayed until the next travel adventure began 10 months later. While travelling through New Zealand I was offered an exciting opportunity to join the team at 1st Step that introduced me to the world of M&E 8 years ago as a candidate and without hesitation and only a few months into my visa I was planning my return. Now I am part of the team and feel like I have always been here. The grass is greenest where it's watered, and that’s both sides of the fence working with 1st Step. In the team (left to right) Kerrie, Sam and Danica
Written by - Stuart Wallis
Getting into the Swing for Charity
This week we were delighted to be asked to attend an event in aid of "Haven House" which is a charity set up to look after terminally ill children. Our Operations Director, Andy Brooks was in attendance at the event, held at the Seve Ballesteros designed course, the Shire. Andy said "We were invited along to attend the event, organised by our client MJL, and we were only too pleased to be there" adding "whilst my golfing wasn't up to much, and I won't comment on others, the event was a huge success and our client should be applauded for organising such a fantastic day and, moreover, raising the best part of £30k towards the Charity". "Supporting both charities and our clients is an important and imperative part of what we do at 1st Step, so getting the chance to do so alongside our clients and fellow supply-chain members is great" said Andy.
Written by - Stuart Wallis
Battersea Powers On!
Two of our leading Consultants, Kieran James and Sam Nixon, have recently taken a visit to Battersea, and they were impressed... Kieran and Sam were meeting their client at Battersea and got a treat of a site tour. In this picture, you can see Sam Nixon, our Commercial Consultant who was stood next to a £450,000 boiler, of which there are two powering the old Power Station! Sam said "this was an awesome project, and great to meet the guys out on site. I am always in awe of the projects our candidates and clients build, but this is another level. I'm really grateful for being invited". "The size and scale of this project is immense" said Kieran, "and you can't really grasp the scale and size of the project even when you are stood next to it. We're really proud to be represented 1st Step as part of this prestigious project."
Written by - Stuart Wallis
Muddy to the Max
Our brave and willing Management & Technical division are going to get Muddy to the Max! In aid of Cancer Research, and in memory of our late MD Max White, Anna-Marie Warren, Davinia Farr, Emily Saitch and Kerrie Letchford going to be taking part in the Maidstone Pretty Muddy 5k on Sunday 8th July 2018. This will be an ideal opportunity for us to raise some vital profiles, whilst seeing our amazing colleagues endure a new experience! You can donate in support of our team, by clicking https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/team/muddy-to-the-max Good luck, ladies!
Written by - Stuart Wallis
England's 1st World Cup Steps
England got their World Cup off to a great start, with their 1st Step (sorry!) into the tournament ending in a victory for Captain Kane and the England team. And we were lucky enough to watch the first match for the Three Lions screened on the walls of our Farringdon office! 1st Step's London team were joined by clients and candidates from across a wide variety of contractors in the M&E sector and beyond, and were all treated to a fantastic finger buffet organised by our Divisional Manager, Davinia Farr and a free bar (with no queue). Matthew Jones, Managing Director said "It was a great evening. Davinia excelled in putting on a great show for our candidates and clients. It was so nice to spend time in a relaxed atmosphere, and her team did her really proud." Keep your eyes peeled for more games being shown at our Cowcross Street offices - an invite may just drop in your inbox!
Written by - Stuart Wallis
FIFA World Cup - Russia 2018 is Engaging!
In case you haven't noticed... the FIFA World Cup starts in a few weeks! Yes, that's right, love it or hate it, the World Cup fever is back soon for its quad-annual visit to our lives. We've created a free Sweepstake sheet for you to use in your office. Print it off and use as you please! Have fun The latest survey responses to XpertHR, who 1st Step use for advice and guidance, suggest the World Cup is a great tool for engaging employees, including putting TVs up in canteens and allowing flexibility for rest breaks to allow people to watch. With 90.8% of respondent employers suggesting that they will adopt an informal approach to the World Cup, common practice might suggest you don't get too hooked on rules for the events too. Common sense - from you as an employer or employee - is most needed in this situation, and just keep in mind that you are always representing your business. And 1st Step is using it to engage clients and candidates, too! We're not ashamed to admit we will use the opportunity either. So keep an eye out for any emails about events, and why not download our FREE world cup sweepstake sheet. 2018 Sweep Stake Sheet.pdf Size: 248 KB
Written by - Stuart Wallis
GDPR - it's good for businesses!
It's good for business, especially if you work with 1st Step as a candidate or client. Whilst there is plenty of scaremongering about at the moment, GDPR is here to stay. Compliance with it will at the very least encourage recruiters to be better at recruitment. The best form of recruitment always has been and always will be "people buy from people" and that is how we at 1st Step do our business. Our recruiters try and meet every candidate, numerous times and sometimes they will build relationships over many years. This is what works, and why we employ a certain kind of recruiter that takes the time to care about the people we work with. Our consultants are going to carry on doing their job as they are because they are very good at it, and they have been doing it for years. The difference, and why GDPR is good for us, is that the concept of getting out there and meeting your candidates is not the norm with some of our competitors. To put it mildly, our competitors are going to have to up their game, to catch us. We are 1st Step, and we are the benchmark. So, we won't be mass emailing people, because it's not our style. But you can all take this blog as permission to contact us, and we will get to know you, and find you a new job! Sounds like a good idea to me. As for our clients? Well, you can rest assured that we have consent, from when we bought our candidates a coffee and asked them for it, whilst discussing where would be the best fit for their next career move. Just before they filled out the application form and signed the consent form.
Written by - Stuart Wallis
Katherine Castellanos - Branch Manager New York, NY
Following the successful introduction of 1st Step into the USA, we are pleased to announce that Katherine Castellanos has been promoted to the role of Branch Manager after just 9 months with us. Joint MD Les Fillery said, "Katherine has been responsible for finding and setting up our office in New York, as well as recruiting team members and training them to our high standards. It felt like the right to do to promote Katherine, as it is very much deserved." "Kat has quickly become part of the family here at 1st Step," said Stuart Wallis, EIR Manager, adding "she is introducing our culture and working ethos into the office and clients in the USA, and doing a great job of it too! Knowing we have an ambassador like her running the branch in New York, it makes the day to day of employing people across the pond that much better."
Written by - Stuart Wallis
New York - New Office
We are pleased to welcome Anthony Isidro and Christopher Batista to 1st Step Resourcing Inc, based out of our New York office. Chris and Anthony will be based at our office on 225 West 34th Street in New York, under the guidance and supervision of Katherine Castellanos and her Divsional Manager, Nana Boss.
Written by - Stuart Wallis
#LLTTM - Max White - two year anniversary
Message from Simon Cowdrey, Chairman: "Tomorrow represents the 2nd anniversary since Max White, my Managing Director and friend passed away. Max and I worked together for nearly 17 years, during that time he was not only pivotal in establishing 1st Step but also instrumental in building the strong foundations to where the business is today. When Max was diagnosed 3 years ago he set-up a charity in aid of Cancer Research called “Live Life to the Max” which the company, staff, clients and his many friends continue to support raising much needed funds. Wherever we live in the world we are all sadly effected by someone we know with this dreadful disease. 1st Step has grown rapidly in the past 2 years and over 50% of our employees have never met Max. However they have all embraced Max’s philosophies and as a company we are united in showing compassion and empathy in support for his charity. Max died one week before his 41st birthday, however his memory still lives on."
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