VIEWPOINT
NEXTGEN RECRUITMENT TO ATTRACT THE ‘STARS OF THE FUTURE’
Peter Jones, Founder & Managing Director, Foyne Jones Recruitment Group
BEFORE WE GET lost in the impact of seasonality this autumn-winter, I want to play devil’s advocate and ask those of you within the merchanting sector, 1) Why are you in business, and 2) Who do you serve?
I put these questions to you because even though our industry is engaging with the skills gap, every day we are in business is yet another opportunity to promote all of the opportunities available to the next generation of talent. I strongly believe the builder’s
merchants’ industry is the best in the world and so keeping it a secret is simply not an option. I know this sounds like more work. I get it. But without a new intake of hands-on apprentices and trainees in your business, there is real potential for all the niche companies, skills, and markets which make-up our sector to diminish or worse yet, die out altogether. A harsh reality I know, but the facts are the facts and I feel it is important to be real with you.
My career in merchanting was only made possible because someone gave me the chance to prove myself working front of house, on the counter, in admin, as well as pulling my weight in the yard. When I moved higher up the ladder, it became clear that good merchanting is very much reliant on its people and whether that is entry level apprentices through to middle management and senior level, they are 100% your biggest asset.
Now we already know that
Gen Z and Alpha see and experience life very differently to us. But, having been immersed in technology their entire lives, it is time for our industry to recognise and harness the new opportunities they can create in our businesses and start taking advantage of the youth of tomorrow.
As long as there are humans on the planet and energy being consumed, the need for buildings to live, work and play in will remain. When you consider that
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www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net October 2022
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