Private sector recruiters are considered the most trusted by employers to find the suitable candidate, according to a recent survey, highlighting their importance in any potential reform of Jobcentre Plus.
In a significant move towards a more collaborative approach, 17.5% of employers are very confident, and 28% are fairly confident that local councils and Mayoral Combined Authorities will understand their recruitment and workforce needs, according to a survey conducted by the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) and Whitestone Insight in May 2025.
Kate Shoesmith, Deputy Chief Executive of the REC, commended the government for recognising the outdated approach of Jobcentres and expressed optimism about the changes ahead. The survey results were published as the government plans to reform the Jobcentre system into a national jobs and careers service.
The REC's annual conference RECLive25 next week will demonstrate how recruiters are using AI to transform talent acquisition and management. The organisation hopes this collaboration will lead to shared responsibility for achieving local labour markets that drive growth in towns and cities across the UK.
Recruiters aim to alleviate strain on local Jobcentres by providing local labour market expertise, aiming for a smarter, joined-up local employment system. The government's overhaul of Jobcentre Plus will empower Mayors and councils to tailor local work, health, and skills support.
The proposed pilot programs should focus on CV screening, application support, interview coaching, sector-specific guidance, and improved job-matching. The REC hopes the government will agree to pilot programs to embed recruiters within the work-finding services that Jobcentre Plus delivers.
As for the current state of trust among UK employers towards public and private job finding services, the survey results indicate that nearly half (42%) of the employers surveyed most trust a private recruitment agency. Just 8% of the employers surveyed most trust Jobcentre Plus, while 5% of the employers most trust local colleges or training providers. A quarter (26%) of the employers most trust in-house personnel.
The REC's Restart Scheme with Maximus has already achieved 3,000 job placements since 2022 through collaboration between employers, recruiters, and public agencies. The government has launched a Pathfinder at a Jobcentre in Wakefield West Yorkshire, including a new Coaching Academy, careers events focused on local growth sectors, and more personalized Jobcentre appointments.
The survey results come at a time when confidence in local councils and Mayoral Combined Authorities varies across the UK. In the South of England (excluding London) and among small businesses (0-49 workers), 37% and 35.5%, respectively, are not confident. However, among medium-sized businesses and large employers (250+ workers), 34% and 35%, respectively, are very confident.
As the UK employment market continues to evolve, the collaboration between recruiters and the government could signal a new era of job finding services, aiming to provide a more efficient, effective, and tailored approach to employment across the nation.
- In light of the REC's annual conference RECLive25, it is clear that recruiters are leveraging technology, particularly AI, to revolutionize talent acquisition and management, aiming for a more efficient lifestyle in the employment sector.
- As sports and technology continue to intertwine, the transformation of job-finding services, such as the reform of Jobcentre Plus, could potentially extend its reach to general-news sectors, including the sports industry, by offering sector-specific guidance and improved job-matching.
