Managing and building your team is one of the most important factors in developing a successful business.
This guide will help signpost you to a range of support networks available to build and support your team.
The first step to creating a cohesive and effective team is recruiting the right people for your organisation.Our recent survey of local businesses highlighted that recruiting and retaining the right staff is currently one of the main challenges faced by many businesses.
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has given Government a three point plan to help solve the UK’s long term recruitment problem. (read more here)
This includes:
- Encouraging firms to find new ways of unlocking pools of talent – by investing more in training their workforce, adopting more flexible working practises and expanding use of apprenticeships;
- Providing training related tax breaks; and
- Reforming the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) to allow sectors facing urgent demand for skills in the short- term to get what they need.
Recruitment
Local employers can get in touch with local educational establishments to tap into their wealth of talent.
Local Educational Establishments
The University of Roehampton are keen to link local employers to their wealth of Student and Graduate talent. To find out more, visit their ‘Employ our talented students and graduates’ section on their website.
South Thames Colleges Group, with a campus based in Merton, design and and deliver training programmes to providing companies with valuable work experience placements.
RETRAIN: Training Managers for a New Operating Environment
RESKILL: Staff Training for a New Kind of Workplace
RETURN: Training Redundancy Course Packages.
As well as providing help to fill those hard to fill vacancies
UAL – Wimbledon School of Art have a range of Creative Opportunities for those businesses looking to recruit. You can post your vacancy, or internship, on their Jobs Board.
Kingston University pride themselves on building strong relationships with major and local employers. Find out how they support your employment needs.
National Recruitment Platforms
Offer employers with a traditional route to market in their job search.
Job Centre Plus: Are you making the most out of your local Jobcentre Plus? Did you know that they offer support , not only helping you recruit to your current vacancies, but they also hold Recruitment events and job fairs; offer Work experience opportunities? To find out how Jobcentre Plus can help you meet your recruitment needs, you can contact the Employer Services Line using the online enquiry form or call them on 0800 169 0178.
LinkedIn – online platforms such as LinkedIn are a tried and tested route to securing the right individual for your vacancies. Take a look at their online Jobs section, full of hints and tips.
Recruitment companies can be especially useful to businesses looking to recruit for specialist positions. Take a look at the Merton Chamber Member Directory (Business Services) to see which recruitment organisation can support your needs.
Apprenticeships
Did you know?
- To be an apprentice the person needs to be over the age 16 – and there is no age limit.
- They have to work a year and a day to count as an apprentice and have an employment contract, so they have full employment rights.
- They have to spend 20% off the job training; either online, at college or in a workplace training environment.
- Apprenticeships are all about achieving standards, not all of them have qualifications and there are different levels – Intermediate, Advanced, Higher and Degree level apprenticeships.
- Funding comes through your Apprenticeship Levy if you are a larger employer. If not you pay 5% of the costs and the Government pays the rest.
- London Progression Company can help with transfer of levy funds to smaller businesses and, if that happens, the smaller business doesn’t pay the 5% cost.
- If you would like an organisation to employ your apprentice for you – otherwise known as flexi job opportunities – there are a number of organisations that will do this on your behalf.
Are Apprenticeships right for your Business?
To find out if Apprenticeships are the right option for your business take a look at the office website: https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/employers
Plus you can get help from the Government to help fund your apprentice. >> Click here for funding information.
The Apprenticeship Levy
The British Chambers of Commerce have put together a resource pack for employers to maximise the benefits of the Apprenticeship Levy.
Their employer guide has been a joint collaboration between the DFE, ESFA and the BCC. Aimed at both businesses with Apprenticeship Levy funds to share, or an SME with apprenticeship ambitions. Click here to find out more.
Other Sources of Help
Employment Law
Morr & Co – Patron members. Based in the heart of Wimbledon. With offices across Surrey, Hampshire and South West London. Employee Employment Law | Employment Legal Advice | Morr & Co (morrlaw.com)
The London Business Hub offer a range of business advice for you to hire and manage your team.
LawDonut has a range of information on Recruitment and Employment contracts. Helping you start your journey as an employer off on the right foot.
Recruitment and employment contracts | Business Law Donut Employment Law
Jam has an SME guide to managing employee wellbeing in relation to encouraging responsible screen time and managing communications: Encouraging Responsible Screen Time & Communications – JAM
