A promising start for the GGF Jobs Board
By Tom Butler, head of sales and marketing, Glass & Glazing Federation.
When you see a new product or website launched, the temptation is to hope that it will take off immediately and produce instant, strong results. In reality, this is rarely the case, so when a launch actually exceeds expectations, then it should be celebrated.
Such is the case with the GGF & FENSA Jobs Board. Launched in mid-February, we have seen a very pleasing response to the new jobs website for the industry, with more than 70 jobs placed on the site in a very short space of time.
That in itself shows the demand that exists for a central hub where the industry can place the latest vacancies. But, pleasingly, we have also seen more than 60 companies set up accounts on the site, showing a long-term indication to use the site on a repeat basis.
It has the potential to save any company using it thousands of pounds in recruitment fees by speeding up the recruitment process and giving potential employers notifications that are sent direct to their inbox every time an application is received.
Employers can set up screening questions or qualification requirements on any jobs they post, so they can be confident that anyone applying is an ideal match.
The jobs board isn’t just for employers either, it’s also for individuals looking for the next step up the career ladder and we have seen more than 50 candidates set up their profiles on the site. It was important for us to ensure both sides of the industry were being catered for with the new site and seeing such active participation across the board has been particularly pleasing.
Since the launch, we have seen more than 60 applications for roles and over 150 alerts go out to candidates informing them of a vacancy that matches their role, salary and location criteria. As awareness of the site grows, so will these numbers.
Included on the site is a training section detailing the very latest courses available to potential candidates who perhaps are looking at roles on the site but realise they need to have further qualifications before being considered for certain roles. This again should help increase the number of candidates visiting the site.
The GGF and FENSA have set up the site as a major member benefit, and while it is free to use for all GGF members and FENSA approved installers, it is also openly available for the wider industry to use.
It is part of the drive being undertaken by the GGF and FENSA that has seen both companies set up training academies (offering a broad range of courses for the whole sector) and the GGF set up its own Skilled Pathways Scheme to attract the next generation of talented workers into the industry.
In addition, over the past month the GGF has sponsored an apprenticeship event in Birmingham that attracted thousands of school and college leavers who were actively looking at what careers to pursue. Having the opportunity to showcase the industry and direct them to a jobs board that shows ample, well-paid opportunities for a range of skill sets will start to raise awareness of our sector as a viable career choice to students, teachers and parents alike.
Of course, the long-term success of the site depends on its use by the whole industry, but the GGF and FENSA will be running an extensive online marketing campaign to ensure relevant visitors view the site on a regular basis to further ensure it drives real value to both communities.
If the first couple of months is anything to go by, the signs look promising, for the whole industry.
