Why use an REC approved agency?

Who are the REC?

Recruitment & Employment Confederation. They are the regulatory body of the recruitment industry in the UK. Check out their website www.rec.uk.com

What are the benefits of using an agency with REC qualified consultants?

It's a sad fact that REC membership and qualifications are not compulsory in our industry. Anyone can set up a business calling themselves a recruitment agency and start trading with you. Unfortunately, you can't guarantee any standards so sadly, expectations are often not met and then good agencies get an undeserved bad name!

At Peach we work hard to counteract this and strive to bring set standards to our industry. We feel that if REC membership and qualifications were compulsory then our job would be a lot easier as every client and candidate would be guaranteed a minimum standard each time they use an agency.

We encourage all our clients and candidates to use only REC regulated agencies as this would ensure that eventually the non regulated agencies would be then obliged to join the REC and comply to industry standards.

What do the REC say?

Judith Armatage, Director of Professional Development, from the REC says, "Due to the amount of pressure on recruitment consultants to perform, it is crucial that they find ways to stand out from the crowd. Using a qualified recruiter means the consultant is up to date with the latest legal requirements and has been taught both recruitment processes and how to achieve best practice and high standard in all aspects of their work. The REC is the main qualifications and training provider for the £24.5 billion private recruitment industry in the UK and these qualifications were developed to help raise standards and give consultants an important career advantage.”

How do I go about finding an REC approved agency?

Most agencies advertise and promote the fact they are regulated by the REC or if you phone them directly they will tell you the qualifications their consultants have. Alternatively look at each agency's website.