We were delighted at the PPMA Annual Conference in Birmingham, on 27 April to be the winners of the Best Partnership/Collaboration award with Luton Borough Council for our joint venture partnership – Connect2Luton. But it’s fair to say we were beyond thrilled to also be announced as the Gold Award winner on the evening as well! Both these awards represent the culmination of much hard work that both the Commercial Services and Luton BC teams have delivered to establish the Connect2Luton partnership and take it from a plan to a highly successful recruitment agency.
“Connect2Luton had one of the toughest possible environments with set-up during Covid restrictions and launch while waves of the pandemic continued. But it has been a huge success developing close working relationships not only with the council but also other local employers,” says Helen Lock, Director of Recruitment, CSG. “Our joint venture proposition has gone from strength to strength, and we are so proud that these awards recognise the hard work and the great results being delivered.”
The Best Partnership award particularly reflects the true collaboration that is required by both parties to make the joint venture model work. Luton BC had been keen to do something very different with their recruitment in the face of spiralling costs as demand for agency workers increased. The joint venture opportunity represented the step change needed and it has delivered not only high-quality candidates direct to the council but also a financial contribution. For Luton BC it is also important that the partnership is a major influencer in the local economy to improve jobs and pay.
“These awards also recognise the impact that Connect2Luton is having to support the council with its Luton 2040 Vision of Nobody in Poverty. It was important to Luton BC that they had good governance and transparency as well as quality, but a big driver for them was around the social value piece and local jobs for local people. We are so pleased that Connect2Luton is able to support these aims.” Continued Helen.
The joint venture recruitment model is well established and proven, working successfully in three other councils all benefiting from their own in-sourced recruitment agency. By sharing the investment and risk of set-up, these councils gain a partner with experience and the systems and structures to implement. If you’re interested in knowing more about our joint ventures, please contact Steve Wilson at Stephen.wilson@csltd.org.uk.