In today's competitive job market, finding the right talent is a challenge many companies face. Discover how a strategic collaboration between Beko and South Bank Colleges uncovered a hidden gem—Alam, an 18-year-old student—who proved that age is no barrier to talent and enthusiasm in the workforce. Dive into our latest blog post to learn how this partnership is redefining recruitment success!

In the words of Colin Dowell, Area Service Manager at Beko Europe:

"Like many companies in recent times, recruitment for us has been hard finding the right person and retaining them has been difficult."

Recently, Beko faced a significant recruitment challenge when they needed to hire Field Service Engineers following a company merger. Despite receiving numerous CVs, they struggled to find candidates who matched their needs:

"After trawling through the many CVs that land on my desk every week, I struggled to find anyone who excited me."

Realising the need to innovate their approach, Beko decided to explore student recruitment opportunities with colleges in London:

"It was then I realised I needed to 'think outside of the box' as a result I contacted a number of colleges in London to explore the possibilities of student recruitment both short & long term."

Their efforts led them to South Bank Colleges, where they encountered a standout candidate, Alam:

"My first reply was from Nancy at South Bank Colleges who not only showed great enthusiasm also invited myself and some colleagues to a Conference where we were not only able to meet some incredibly friendly members of staff but were given a tour of the Engineering department and the wonderful facilities available to their students."

Alam, an 18-year-old student without prior full-time employment experience, impressed Beko during the recruitment process:

"On the day Alam showed a great attitude and enthusiasm to prove that despite having no previous full-time employment he had everything we were looking for."

With Alam soon to begin his journey at Beko, the company plans to expand their collaboration with South Bank Colleges:

"We hope to work with South Bank Colleges over the coming months and years filling positions not only for this particular role but other roles within our organisation."

Key Takeaways

The feedback from Beko underscores several valuable lessons:

• Educational Partnerships: Colleges play a crucial role in bridging the gap between education and employment.
• Youthful Potential: Alam’s story highlights the importance of giving young students opportunities post-education.
• Diverse Recruitment: Thinking outside the box in recruitment strategies can yield unexpected, positive results.

By quoting directly from Beko’s experience, we see firsthand how collaborations between companies and educational institutions can address recruitment challenges effectively. This partnership not only benefits businesses like Beko but also empowers students to showcase their skills and potential in real-world settings.