Tag Archive for: placement

, , , , , , , , ,

Inside Trades & Labour: Roles, Insights, and How We Can Help


We’re excited to launch our monthly Focus on Sector series across social media, where each month we’ll highlight a different industry, share insights, and show how we can help both businesses and candidates navigate the opportunities out there. Make sure to follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook to catch the full video interviews, carousels, and posts on each sector.

In this blog, we’ll give you a run-down of the first sector in our series, starting with Trades & Labour. We’ll explore how we support this sector, the types of roles we recruit for, who to contact depending on your needs, and more.

Trades & Labour: What We Do

We kicked off the month with an informative carousel highlighting the work of our Trades & Labour team. Our team works closely with clients to provide reliable site-based operatives across a range of construction projects, supporting both short-term requirements and long-term workforce planning.

We support construction projects of all sizes by supplying reliable site operatives across a wide range of trades.

Roles We Support

We recruit for a wide variety of site-based roles, including:

  • Labourers
  • Skilled Labourers
  • Ground Workers
  • Plumbers
  • Gatemen
  • Cleaners
  • Carpenters (1st & 2nd fix)
  • Handypersons
  • Multi Traders
  • Painters
  • Decorators
  • Plasterers
  • Bricklayers
  • Tower Crane Operators (Saddle & Luffer)
  • Pedestrian Crane Operators
  • Crawler Crane Operators
  • Slinger Signallers
  • Lifting Supervisors
  • …and more

Meet Your Trades & Labour Contacts

  • Richard Barnes – Director & Consultant
  • Kasia Mirowska – Senior Resource Consultant
  • Alex Wing – Managing Consultant
  • Kinga Kot – Resource Consultant

They’re your go-to contacts for any enquiries or support within the Trades & Labour sector.

Industry Insights: Q&A with Alex Wing

To give you even more insight, we recently sat down with Alex Wing, our Managing Consultant, for a video interview where he answered some of the most frequently asked questions about Trades & Labour recruitment.
Here’s a sneak peek at a few of the questions Alex covered:

Q: How do you help people looking for work in this sector?
A: “Spending time with them, getting to know them, and building rapport is really important. Sometimes that leads to them undertaking roles they may not have thought of before.
After that, we have a dedicated compliance team here, so for everybody we send out we make sure we work with them, go through the process, and explain exactly what we need to ensure they have the right to work with us and our clients.
For anyone who might be new to the sector or unsure about the process, we take the time to explain everything, walk them through it, and make sure they’re happy and comfortable before going into work with us.”

Q: What are the biggest challenges in Trades & Labour right now?
A: “At the moment there’s a lot of uncertainty. Speaking to clients, things are looking pretty positive, but there seems to be an air of frustration that they may be two or three jobs away from being really busy. There’s a lot of tendering going on and the jobs are coming in, so everyone’s excited about that, but in terms of boots on the ground, there still seems to be some frustration at the moment.
We’re just trying to remain positive, making sure we’re reaching out and communicating with our clients, getting an idea of what’s coming up and gauging the market, but also relaying that information to our candidates as well. We take hundreds of calls a day from candidates looking for work, so we’re trying to reassure them that while things aren’t quite as busy as everyone would like right now, there are certainly sunnier days ahead.”

For the full interview and more Q&As, make sure to check out the video on our social media platforms.

Behind the Scenes: How Our Trades & Labour Placements Work

Following Alex’s insights into the current Trades & Labour market, we also shared another post giving a behind-the-scenes look at how our team works together to place candidates on site.
Recruitment in this sector is very much a team effort, with each member of our Trades & Labour team playing a key role in ensuring the right people are matched with the right projects. To break this down, we highlighted the five key steps behind every Trades & Labour placement at FBR Recruitment.
1. Client Briefing – Alex & Richard
Our consultants speak with clients to fully understand the role, site requirements, location, and start date. This ensures we know exactly what type of candidate is needed before beginning the search.
2. Candidate Sourcing – Kinga & Kasia
Our resourcers search our database, advertise roles, and reach out to suitable Trades & Labour candidates. They actively speak with people looking for work to identify those with the right experience and availability.
3. Candidate Screening – Kinga & Kasia
Candidates are then spoken to directly to discuss their experience, previous work, tickets, and availability. This step helps ensure the candidates we put forward are a strong match for the role.
4. Compliance Checks – Sarah
Before a candidate starts, Sarah ensures all necessary checks are completed. This includes confirming right to work, verifying qualifications and site tickets, and making sure all compliance requirements are met.
5. Placement & Ongoing Support – The Whole Team
Once everything is confirmed, Alex and Richard finalise the placement with the client. Our team then stays in contact with both the client and the candidate to ensure everything runs smoothly on site.

A Team Effort Behind Every Placement

Every successful placement is the result of close collaboration between our consultants, resourcers, and compliance team. By working together throughout the process, we’re able to ensure candidates are fully prepared for site and clients receive reliable, qualified operatives who are ready to contribute from day one.
This team-based approach is what allows us to maintain strong relationships with both our clients and candidates across the Trades & Labour sector.

Conclusion

Our Trades & Labour team plays an important role in connecting skilled operatives with construction projects across the sector. From understanding client requirements and sourcing the right candidates, to carrying out compliance checks and providing ongoing support, every step of our process is designed to ensure placements run smoothly for both clients and candidates.

Through this month’s sector spotlight, we’ve shared an overview of the roles we recruit for, introduced the team behind the process, heard insights from Managing Consultant Alex Wing, and shown the five key steps that go into every placement we make.

To see more from this series, including video interviews, team insights, and informative carousels, make sure to follow FBR Recruitment on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook, where we’ll continue highlighting the sectors we work in and the people behind them.

If you’re looking for Trades & Labour staff for your next project, or you’re a candidate searching for your next opportunity on site, our team would be happy to help.

Partner With Experts

FBR Recruitment is a trusted UK workforce solutions provider, specialising in skilled trades, labour, and construction staffing. We work closely with building companies, contractors, project managers, and engineering consultancies to deliver qualified, reliable candidates across all project stages. From craft workers and site operatives to supervisors, commercial specialists, and senior management roles, we connect businesses with talent across the full construction and trades sector.

Our team combines industry expertise with a personalised approach, taking time to understand your operational challenges, timelines, and staffing needs. We offer adaptable recruitment solutions designed for dynamic construction projects, ensuring companies access competent professionals for temporary assignments, permanent roles, and long-term workforce growth.

Browse our latest job opportunities, discover how our recruitment services can strengthen your teams, or contact our experienced consultants to secure the skilled workforce your organisation needs to thrive.

Email Us 023 8033 2438 Message Us Submit CV
/by
, , , , , , , , , , , ,

7 Questions You Should Ask a Recruiter Before Spending Money on Them

7 Questions You Should Ask a Recruiter Before Spending Money on Them - November Blog Post by FBR

7 Questions You Should Ask a Recruiter Before Spending Money on Them - November Blog Post by FBR
Hiring the right talent is one of the most important decisions a business can make and the wrong hire can be costly. That’s why many companies turn to recruiters for help. But the truth is, not all recruiters provide the same level of service, and some charge significant fees without delivering real results.

Before you invest in recruitment support, it’s essential to ask the right questions. Doing so not only protects your budget but also ensures you’re partnering with someone who will genuinely add value. Here’s a breakdown of the seven key questions and how FBR stands apart in each area.

1. What specific services am I paying for?

Too often, recruiters offer vague packages that leave clients unsure about what they’re actually getting. Are you paying for CV screening, candidate outreach, advertising, or full end-to-end recruitment?
Tip: Ask for a detailed breakdown of services and the associated costs. If a recruiter can’t clearly explain what’s included, that’s a warning sign.

How FBR stands out:
We provide full transparency from the start. Our clients know exactly what services they’re getting, from advertising roles and headhunting candidates to interview coordination and ongoing support. There are no hidden fees or surprise charges, just clear, accountable recruitment.

2. What experience do you have in my industry?

Every industry has its own nuances, whether it’s compliance requirements, salary benchmarks, or the soft skills that really matter. A recruiter without experience in your sector can waste weeks and still deliver poor-fit candidates.
Tip: Request specific examples of placements in your field and ask about any challenges they overcame.

How FBR stands out:
FBR focuses on industries where we have proven expertise. We understand what makes a candidate succeed in your sector, which reduces time-to-hire and improves long-term retention. Our clients benefit from our deep industry knowledge, not just a generic hiring service.

3. How do you source your candidates?

Some recruiters simply post job ads and wait for applicants. Others proactively headhunt the best talent from their networks.
Tip: Ask about their sourcing strategy. Are they leveraging social networks like LinkedIn, tapping into passive talent pools, or relying mainly on job boards?

How FBR stands out:
We combine multiple sourcing strategies tailored to each role. Whether it’s targeted outreach to passive candidates or using our extensive network to find hidden talent, we don’t rely on chance, we deliver results.

4. What is your success rate?

Paying a fee without evidence of results is risky. You deserve to know whether the recruiter can actually deliver the hires you need.
Tip: Ask for data on placements, time-to-fill, and candidate retention. A professional recruiter will share this openly.

How FBR stands out:
Transparency is at our core. We provide clear metrics for our success, including average time-to-fill and long-term retention rates. Many of our clients return to us for repeat hiring because we consistently deliver.

5. How do you ensure the candidates you present are the right fit?

Finding a candidate who simply meets the job description isn’t enough, they need to fit your team and company culture too.
Tip: Ask how the recruiter assesses candidate skills, experience, and personality to make sure they match both the role and your company.

How FBR stands out:
We take a consultative approach, getting to know your business, team, and values before recommending candidates. By combining detailed screening, in-depth interviews, and industry insight, we focus on quality over quantity, helping you find candidates who truly fit and thrive in your organisation.

6. What communication can I expect from you?

Poor communication can make even a great recruiter frustrating to work with. Updates should be timely, clear, and consistent.
Tip: Ask about expected response times, how often updates are given, and whether there’s a single point of contact.

How FBR stands out:
We value transparent, proactive communication. Clients have one dedicated contact and regular updates throughout the recruitment process. You’ll never have to chase for information or wonder what’s happening behind the scenes.

7. Can I speak to previous clients?

Reputation matters. A good recruiter should welcome the chance to connect you with satisfied clients.
Tip: Ask for references and read testimonials carefully. Look for clients in similar industries or roles.

How FBR stands out:
We proudly share client feedback and success stories. Many of our clients continue working with us year after year, which is a strong indicator of trust, reliability, and results.

Bonus Tip: Trust Your Instincts
Even if a recruiter answers all the right questions, it’s important to consider how you feel about working with them. Do they listen? Do they seem genuinely invested in your success? Chemistry and trust are just as important as metrics and guarantees.

Why Choosing the Right Recruiter Matters

Recruitment is about more than just filling a role; it’s about building a team that drives your business forward. Asking the right questions ensures you avoid costly mistakes and partner with someone who truly understands your needs.

At FBR, we combine industry expertise, proactive sourcing, and transparent communication to make every hire a success. We don’t just place candidates, we build long-term partnerships with our clients, delivering talent that fits both the role and your company culture. With FBR, you’re not just hiring a recruiter; you’re gaining a trusted partner committed to your growth.

Work with FBR Recruitment

FBR Recruitment is a leading name in construction staffing, connecting skilled workers and experienced professionals with top construction firms, developers, and consultancies across the UK. With deep industry knowledge and a personalised approach, we help businesses hire the right people at every level, from trades and labourers to site managers and commercial teams. We know the challenges of construction recruitment and provide bespoke staffing solutions designed to deliver long-term results. Visit our website to browse current roles, discover our range of recruitment services, or speak to our expert team to start finding the talent your business needs.

Email Us 023 8033 2438 Message Us Submit CV
/by