Starting Point Recruitment

Temporary workers are often the unsung hero’s of the workplace yet they keep departments and company’s running. They cover absence, specific projects and increases in workload but, more importantly, they do all the jobs that permanent workers do. With 1.4 million workers registered with agencies throughout the UK temporary workers are no longer a niche within the workforce, they are the workforce.

National Temporary Workers Week was created by The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) to celebrate the contribution temporary workers make to the workplace. Each year, as part of Temporary Workers Week, the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) host their ‘One in a Million Awards’. The awards are aimed at recognising the most outstanding contributions from the many examples of hard work and endeavour undertaken by temporary workers up and down the country. Awards are given to candidates within various sectors including engineering, teaching, driving, office and childcare with one overall winner being awarded the prestigious title of ‘One in a Million’.

We have many workers who are and have worked for us that are, without doubt, ‘One in a Million’. Over the years we have heard stories of great achievement and contribution both in and out of the work place. Too difficult to choose we asked our customers to identify those workers that they felt were worthy of the title. From the nominations we received we chose to enter Scholar Agema into the competition. It was with great sadness that Scholar did not win an award but she, along with all of our workers, will remain valued and special to both us and our customers. John Brewer, Chief Executive, was proud to present Scholar with a bouquet of flowers in recognition of her being chosen as our ‘One in a Million’ nominee.
Scholar started work as a clerical assistant for Walsall Council back in January of this year. Born in Cameroon, Scholar was recognised as a refugee and granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK in 2004. Although well equipped with administrative qualifications gained in Nigeria, she faced the daunting task of securing work in a foreign country where her qualifications may not be recognised.
Based on her interview and an in-house clerical test we found her a position as a clerical assistant with the Walsall’s Registry Office. Within this position she has not only performed her assigned tasks excellently, but has also exceeded expectations, making use of other skills not requested in the job description. For example, Scholar’s native language is French, which she regularly uses translating for customers from other French-speaking countries. This flexibility and voluntary assistance has won praise from her managers, not least because Scholar gives them a chance to practice their holiday phrases!

All who have had contact with Scholar have found her to be an honest, approachable person, and she has gone out of her way to fit in with what has been asked of her. In a very short time she has become a valued member of our workforce, and while we wish Scholar luck in her search for permanent employment, she would be sadly missed.

We are now looking for innovative ways to celebrate Temporary Worker Week 2006. If you have any suggestions or would like to nominate a worker for the REC’s ‘One in a Million Award’ then contact our consultant team on 01922 422480.