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RECRUITMENT/OCTOBER 06 BRIDGE CONTRACTING SERVICES TRANSED TRAINING
Page 64
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LOGISTICS GAP IS BRIDGED
Bridge Contract Services works hard to match its personnel to the right
job. Tim Maughan reports on the success of this strategy.
Bridge Contract Services office in Cleckheaton,West Yorks, is a light, airy space above a high-street bank in the town centre, It is one of 17 BCS branches— all of which deal with, among other things, warehouse staff. "We are a recruitment agency, specialising in logistics—just drivers.That's all we do here," explains regional logistics manager Fiona Phillips, adding:"And we're ISO 09002 accredited."
BCS drivers are supplied to supermarkets, general hauliers, dairy transport outfits and own-account operators. All drivers are interviewed before their names enter the firm's books, Phillips continues."At the momentwe have 198 drivers on our active database in this office."
Novel approach
Many agencies rely on word of mouth to generate more work, as well as responses to advertisements in the local press. But in addition to those traditional methods, this company came up with a refreshingly original idea to increase sales.
The firm printed its details on 10,000 sandwich bags, which were distributed to drivers dropping into the Whitwood truckstop near Castleford,West Yorks.The promotion paid off, and the Cleckheaton office benefited from a significant increase in the numbers of LGV drivers making contact.
Such canvassing can't be expected to bring everyone into the fold, but the relatively small costs associated with such marketing initiatives can attract quality personnel. "It works," Phillips remarks. "If you get one decent driver on board, then the sandwich bag has done its job.! encourage the team to think outside the box to come up with such ideas."
However, the recruitment process is thorough. Firstly, an interested driver contacts the BCS team."The driver is asked initial questions over the telephone," Phillips says."About 20 to 30 minutes' discussion is held at this early stage." It's an informal chat which benefits both parties.
Assuming all goes well, it is time for potential recruits to visit the BCS office for a more in-depth meeting. Recruits must demonstrate their knowledge of drivers' hours and tachograph practices, plus fill in a health questionnaire.
After that, it's on to an interview with one of the consultants — possibly Sonya Bezboruah, Catherine Rynham or Crystal Francis, the branch logistics co-ordinator. BCS's Lancashire and West Midlands facilities operate in the same way as dedicated drivers' agencies and, as Phillips points out, it is possible to t ransfer personnel between sites.
All drivers are employed on a full-time basis and, rather than being thrust randomly into a cab, they are tailored to the work that best suits their skills. The recruiting team likes to see a solid work record although, in some eases, too many job moves are seen in a poor light, because that trend may continue.
Experience counts Bob Giles is a senior logistics consultant for BCS. He is also a CPC holder who has served his time as a driver on general haulage operations."' like both careers." he comments, referring to his past as an LGV driver, and his present recruitment duties.When the occasion arises,he still drives customers' trucks and that practical experience, he maintains, is respected by clients."The transport manager likes to know that people are talking on the same level," he says.
On the subject ofjob compatibiiity,Phillips explains that some agencies have been known to assign staff to unsuitable work, which can be distressing for the drivers concerned."Many get their fingers burned; they are promised the moon on a stick,and it's simply not delivered," he points out. He cites an example of a man who wants to do trunking being placed on multi-drop work. He may well have no experience in this type of driving.so both customer and driver end up dissatislied.
That is far from the only consideration.though."Drivers must have had their [LGVj licence for more than two years," Phillips asserts."with no more than six penalty points."Yet the overriding philosophy is about matching the correct person to the task."We tailor the driver to the job, which results in satisfaction all round," she adds.
• Contact:www.bridge-contracts.com