Business success is always a good thing, but sometimes the opportunity to step back for a moment and take stock is invaluable – a chance to take the organisation down a different and more productive route.
Venture Contracts is a specialist construction recruitment agency operating in a sector that saw little slow-down during the coronavirus pandemic, and the team were fortunate to be able to continue trading throughout all three lockdowns.
Since it was founded in 2013, Venture Contracts has become one of the leading recruiters of construction workers in the UK, supporting thousands of building projects, from housing developments to large commercial expansions through the sourcing, vetting and placement of candidates
Whilst growth had been rapid during the first few years of the company’s existence, what the directors learned from the months of COVID restrictions was how they could work more effectively.
Emma Charles, Director, said:
“Although the construction sector carried on pretty much as normal during lockdowns, and we remained busy, the situation did give us an opportunity to change our perspective and direction. Having reviewed, we realised that we needed to shrink to grow, to consolidate the team and to make sure that the service we provided remained at the high standards we’d set for ourselves.
“We’ve always delivered excellent service, but in a fast-paced environment, and growing at the rate we were, we had to be very careful not to let that impact on other areas of the business.”
Venture Contracts now has a team of 12 working from its new head office at Alexandra House on Newport Pagnell Road in Northampton. Whilst the majority of its clients are in this region, since the pandemic, the company has acquired a strong and successful presence in the Kent and Essex region.
The firm’s motto is ‘people powered solutions’, bringing a personal service to what can be a sector that is sometimes seen as being more about high numbers and fast turnaround. Account and candidate managers work together to listen to what clients want and need and place candidates that offer a realistic solution rather than just taking a ‘bums on seats’ approach
Compliance is of paramount importance – background checks and references are provided for all candidates, ensuring a valid ‘right to work’ and CSCS/CPSC certification as a minimum. A 7.30am first day check-in service ensures a smooth start for the candidate, while offering flexibility on any last-minute client requirements – something that has resulted in positive feedback from clients and candidates.
In addition, Venture Contracts has worked hard to ‘humanise’ the recruitment process, rewarding staff with incentives and creating a fun, non-corporate, unorthodox working culture. Corporate events and social media campaigns showcase the company’s talent to clients and candidates, resulting in a stronger local presence in Northamptonshire, including a recent sponsorship deal with Northampton Town FC.
Venture Contracts prides itself on its supply chain position, working in partnership with an impressive portfolio of both main and sub-contractors – there is of course also a very important chain in place between Venture and its candidates with a duty of care at the forefront of its priorities – so much so that the directors incorporated Rhino Pro, a dedicated payroll to add to the preferred supply payroll options on offer to candidates and external
clients/contractors.
These are all steps toward the ultimate aim of a seamless chain to provide compliant candidates with an opportunity to excel in the industry via a placement with a valued and ever-growing client base – as Venture Contracts continues to grow and learn on a daily basis.
In an ever-changing industry, Venture Contracts has proved to be the one constant that can be relied upon by both candidates and clients – and it is embracing that ethos as it celebrates its tenth year in business.
Find out more about Venture Contracts on 01604 805646 or visit www.venturecontracts.co.uk
