New partnership to create jobs and support local businesses in Swindon

The council is joining forces with Commercial Services Group to establish a new recruitment agency that will help bring the recruitment of temporary, freelance and consultant staff closer to the council and the communities it serves.
The new agency will be based within the council and will initially create five new permanent roles, with recruitment prioritised for people from Swindon and the surrounding area. 
It will also work with local small and medium-sized businesses to join the supply chain, helping more local organisations benefit from working with the local authority.
Sonia Grewal, Swindon Borough Council’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “For me, this partnership is really about people. 
"It’s about creating opportunities for local people and building a workforce that’s closely connected to the communities we serve.
"It’s also part of our wider ambition for Swindon as a place where people can build careers, businesses can grow and our communities can thrive.
"By working with Commercial Services Group we can build a stronger local talent pipeline, support local businesses and create meaningful routes into employment. 
"At the same time, we will have greater control over how we recruit temporary staff, helping us use public money more effectively for our residents.
“For us, this is about creating opportunities for people in Swindon while making sure we have the workforce in place to deliver the services our communities rely on."
The new joint venture draws on Commercial Services Group’s experience of delivering similar recruitment partnerships with councils across the country. 
In those areas the model has already delivered significant social impact, including helping people who have been out of work for long periods find employment and supporting agency staff into permanent roles.
Across eight existing council partnerships the programme has delivered:
- 71% of the workforce recruited from local communities
- 120 long-term unemployed residents supported into meaningful work
- 246 agency staff moved into permanent roles
- 628 small and medium-sized businesses engaged in supply chains
Rob Boyles, CEO at Commercial Services Group, said: “We are delighted to welcome Swindon Borough Council as the newest partner in our growing network of joint ventures, now totalling nine councils. 
"Our model offers a modern alternative to traditional agency arrangements, giving councils more visibility, control and alignment with strategic workforce objectives. 
"We look forward to supporting Swindon as it realises the benefits of this approach.”
The joint venture will also work closely with schools, colleges and third-sector organisations to help develop strong local talent pipelines and create pathways into long-term employment.
Commercial Services Group currently partners with Kent County Council, Hampshire County Council, Luton Borough Council, Surrey County Council, Dudley Borough Council, Dorset Council, Halton Borough Council and the London Borough of Hackney.
The initiative supports the Council’s wider work to strengthen Swindon’s local economy and ensure public spending delivers the greatest possible value for residents.
 

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