ISV software implementation helps Remploy put a foot on the recruitment ‘gas’

Remploy, the UK’s leading provider of specialist employment services, is aiming to increase the number of people it helps into contact centre roles, with the roll-out of a new software system across all of its branches.

With the increase in contact centre opportunities available to jobseekers in the UK, Remploy is utilising a system, FastPath from ISV, which assesses and measures candidates against the specific skills required for working within the business services sector.

Remploy’s commercial partnership manager Tom Smith explains the software utilisation: “We helped over 1,500 jobseekers to gain positions in UK contact centres in 2007/08 and the opportunities are continuing to increase.

“We want to build on the expert levels of assistance we provide to our jobseekers and with FastPath software being used by a number of our partner employers within the sector it seemed a sensible option so that we can closely match skills with their requirements.

“FastPath will now be rolled out across our branch network to assess candidate skills in relation to the job roles on offer. It will be used by our expert team of employment advisors and will assess skill sets including typing speed, data entry accuracy, customer service specific skills, numeracy and literacy. The package will enable our candidates to improve their skills in these areas and in a range of computer software applications including a comprehensive range of Microsoft Office packages.”

Following a pilot utilisation of FastPath through a pre-employment partnership between Remploy’s Cardiff branch and British Gas, a number of jobseekers in the area have already successfully gained employment.

Nigel Gallop, 53 and from the Heath area of the city, had previously worked in local government before experiencing a long period of depression which forced him to leave his job. Having been out of work for nine months, he was referred to Remploy by Jobcentre Plus and hasn’t looked back since.

He explains: “I had always wanted to work but mentally wasn’t fit. With Remploy’s help I firstly enrolled on a two-week key skills course which worked on increasing my confidence and provided help in getting my CV in order.

“I hadn’t thought of working in a contact centre however I decided to pursue the opportunity to undertake a two-week course specifically designed to cover the requirements and skills required by British Gas.”

Through the intensive course, candidates covered specific training requirements including customer role plays, call handling and customer service skills.

Nigel continued: “Working through the course gave an insight into the industry and what a customer facing role would entail. It was great to go through the different scenarios which no doubt helped in the interview stages.”

Tom Smith added: “We are responding to the needs of the employment market and hope that in implementing the use of the software across our branches that we will be able to work with more employers in the business services sector.”

“We are delighted to be working with Remploy and to provide our assessment and training tools to boost candidate placement,” commented Laurie Dobson, CEO of ISV Group.

Remploy is the UK’s leading provider of specialist employment services to people who experience complex barriers to work and last year found jobs in mainstream employment for 6,500 people with a range of disabilities.

By 2012 Remploy will be finding 20,000 jobs each year for people with disabilities and health conditions.

This article first appeared on www.onrec.com

11th March 2009