REC East’s Optimism on Recruitment and Employment at Cambridge Event: Key Highlights and Insights

East of England Job Market Shows Tentative Optimism Amidst Challenges

Cambridge, March 13, 2025—Recruiters in the East of England are cautiously optimistic about the job market, despite ongoing economic pressures and evolving workplace dynamics. A recent summit in Cambridge, hosted by the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) Member Network East, brought together industry professionals to discuss current trends and forecast demand for the remainder of 2025.

Key Discussion Points: AI, DEI, and Net Zero

The summit addressed several critical topics shaping the modern workplace:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI): Exploring the impact of AI on recruitment processes and job creation.
• Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (DEI): Strategies for building more inclusive and equitable workplaces.
• Net Zero: The role of recruitment in supporting environmentally sustainable practices and green jobs.

The REC (Recruitment & Employment Federation) meet at The Gonville Hotel, March 2025

Cautious Optimism in the Air

Neil Carberry, chief executive: East, noted the positive sentiment among attendees at the March 6 gathering. According to Carberry, “Recruitment businesses from Cambridgeshire are feeling a little warmer about their prospects as we enter the spring.” This suggests a potential turnaround after a period of uncertainty, though challenges remain.

Navigating Economic Headwinds

The REC event highlighted concerns about several factors affecting recruitment businesses:

• Rising Taxes: Increased tax burdens impacting profitability and investment.
• New Technology: Adapting to rapidly evolving technologies and skill requirements.
• Low-Cost Competition: Pressure from lower-quality services affecting market share.

Carberry elaborated, “Changes driven by rising taxes, new technology and low cost, low quality competition concerned REC members at our meeting in Cambridge today. Many are holding their breath to see the effect of the NI rise, but all concluded ther were opportunities to chase and a positive outlook for later in the year.”

Strategic Recruitment: A Key to Productivity

A significant challenge identified at the summit was the difficulty in finding qualified candidates. attendees emphasized the need for businesses to view recruitment as a strategic imperative rather than a mere administrative task.This shift in viewpoint involves:

• Investing in Recruitment Resources: Allocating adequate budget and personnel to attract top talent.
• Developing a Strong Employer Brand: Creating a compelling narrative to attract candidates.
• Partnering with Professional Recruiters: Leveraging expertise and access to a wider pool of talent.

Carberry stressed the importance of partnering with experts when he stated that, “Firms discussed the challenges the area faces with finding candidates, and the need for businesses to treat their recruitment as a strategic priority, not a transactional process. This is what will help close the productivity gap – partnering with a professional recruiter is a great way to get expert advice and also access to candidates. “

Neil Carberry, chief executive: East at REC

Looking Ahead: RECLive25

The REC’s annual conference, RECLive25, is scheduled for June 10, 2025. The conference will offer further opportunities for industry professionals to network,share insights,and explore innovative strategies for navigating the evolving recruitment landscape. Details are available here.

Conclusion: Embrace Strategic Recruitment for Future Success

while the East of England job market faces considerable challenges, the REC summit revealed a sense of cautious optimism. By prioritizing strategic recruitment practices, investing in employee development, and adapting to technological advancements, businesses can position themselves for success in the evolving landscape. Is your company ready to make recruitment a strategic priority? Contact a professional recruiter today to gain a competitive edge.

What are teh biggest challenges facing businesses in the East of England job market according to Anya Sharma?

East of England Job Market: An Interview with Recruitment Expert, Anya Sharma

Cambridge – Amidst cautious optimism in the East of England job market, we sat down with Anya Sharma, Director of Talent Solutions at “Future Forward Recruitment,” a leading recruitment firm specializing in strategic recruitment, to delve deeper into the trends discussed at the recent REC summit. Anya shares her insights on navigating economic challenges, leveraging AI, and the importance of DEI in building successful workplaces.

Navigating the East of England Job Market: Q&A with Anya Sharma

archyde: Anya, thank you for joining us. The REC summit highlighted “cautious optimism” despite economic headwinds. What are your clients in the east of England moast concerned about right now?

Anya Sharma: Thank you for having me. The sentiment is definitely mixed. While businesses are seeing potential for growth, concerns surrounding rising taxes, adapting to new technology, and competition from lower-cost providers are very real. They’re feeling the pressure to do more with less, which naturally impacts their approach to recruitment.

Archyde: The summit emphasized the need for businesses to view recruitment as a strategic priority. What does this look like in practice?

Anya Sharma: It’s about recognizing that talent acquisition isn’t just an administrative task; it’s a core driver of business success. It means investing in recruitment resources, building a strong employer brand to attract top candidates, and partnering with professional recruiters who understand the intricacies of the talent landscape.Strategic recruitment is about proactively identifying future skills gaps and planning to address them before they impact productivity.

AI, DEI, and net Zero: Shaping the future of Recruitment

Archyde: Let’s talk about AI. How is it transforming recruitment processes, and what advice do you have for businesses looking to leverage it effectively?

Anya Sharma: AI is revolutionizing everything from resume screening to candidate engagement. It can help recruiters sift through large volumes of applications quickly and identify qualified candidates based on specific criteria. Tho, it’s crucial to use AI ethically and responsibly, ensuring it doesn’t perpetuate biases or discriminate against certain groups.My advice is to start small, experiment with different AI tools, and continuously evaluate their effectiveness.

Archyde: Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (DEI) was another key topic. How can recruitment practices contribute to building more inclusive workplaces?

Anya Sharma: DEI is no longer just a “nice-to-have”; it’s a business imperative. Inclusive recruitment practices involve actively seeking out candidates from diverse backgrounds,removing bias from the hiring process,and creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all employees. This means using diverse interview panels, offering flexible work arrangements, and investing in DEI training for hiring managers.A diverse workforce brings different perspectives and experiences, leading to greater innovation and creativity.

Archyde: The summit also touched on the role of recruitment in supporting environmentally enduring practices and green jobs. How is this playing out in the East of England job market?

Anya Sharma: We’re seeing a growing demand for professionals with skills in areas like renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and environmental management. Businesses are increasingly prioritizing candidates who are passionate about sustainability and have a strong understanding of environmental issues. This is driven by both regulatory requirements and a growing awareness of the importance of corporate social responsibility. Recruitment firms need to adapt to this trend by identifying and attracting talent with the skills and knowledge to help businesses achieve their net-zero goals.

Strategic Recruitment: Closing the Productivity Gap

Archyde: Neil Carberry stressed the need for partnering with experts to improve recruitment outcomes. Why is this so critically important, especially now?

Anya Sharma: Partnering with professional recruiters provides access to a wider pool of qualified candidates, expert advice on industry trends, and a deep understanding of the local job market. Recruiters can definitely help businesses develop effective recruitment strategies,build a strong employer brand,and navigate the complexities of the hiring process,ultimately leading to better hiring decisions and improved productivity. In today’s competitive Talent market, expert Recruiters can offer a competitive advantage

Archyde: Looking ahead, what’s one piece of advice you would give to businesses in the East of England struggling to find qualified candidates?

Anya Sharma: Don’t underestimate the power of employee development. While attracting external talent is crucial, investing in the training and development of existing employees can also help close the skills gap. Upskilling and reskilling initiatives can empower your workforce to adapt to new technologies and take on new challenges,reducing your reliance on external hires.

Archyde: what are your expectations for the upcoming RECLive25 conference?

Anya Sharma: RECLive25 provides a valuable chance for industry professionals to connect, share insights, and learn about the latest trends in recruitment. I’m particularly looking forward to discussing the impact of AI on the recruitment landscape and exploring innovative strategies for attracting and retaining top talent.

Archyde: Anya, thank you for sharing your expertise with us. It’s been incredibly insightful.

Anya Sharma: My pleasure. Thank you for having me.

What are Your Thoughts on the East of England Job Market?

Now it’s your turn! Do you agree with Anya’s assessment of the East of England job market? What challenges and opportunities are you seeing in your industry? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!