Mergers & Acquisitions – The NSA Way!

The Apprenticeship and Training marketplace has seen a great deal of activity over the last few years, and we believe this trend of consolidation is set to continue.

Positioned as the leading recruiter across the Apprenticeship and Training marketplace the National Skills Agency has a unique reach into this busy sector. This positioning allows the NSA Consultancy team to gain a unique and early insight to an organisations current and future roadmap, its challenges, and its desires.

This early overview allows the team to open the door and help the directors understand the current acquisition market, the options available and what may be required to help shape and showcase the business in the best possible way.

Let the NSA Consultancy team make the introductions that will allow your business to realise its full potential.

Acquiring:

Growing your business organically is where we all start. This process is often tough, it can be slow and requires a great deal of inward investment in time, energy, resources, and money. It can be done successfully, but what if by acquiring the right business you can:

• Grow your market share overnight
• Gain an infrastructure that supercharges your delivery
• Access to a new team with a range of key specialist skills
• Inherit a raft of new clients that could have taken a lifetime to acquire
• Add instant value to your client proposition
• Increase the value of your business exponentially!

Selling or Raising Capital:

At some point in a business owners’ life there comes a time when selling all or part of the business, or raising capital becomes an attractive option for any number of reasons.

These often include:

• Retirement or ill health
• The need for additional infrastructure
• Investment capital to fund growth
• A chance to share the load and be supported
• A larger footprint opens the door to larger contracts
• They have taken the business as far as they can
• An exit will now support their future plans
• Owners just want to do something different

NSA proposition:

• Managing/brokering introductions whether selling or acquiring
• Advising on seller or acquirer proposition
• Help to manage communications throughout the process
• Advise on company culture and fit
• Use our industry reputation to retain trust between all parties
• Advise on sourcing an experienced leadership team to manage M&A
• Recruit key management to enable a smooth, integration, transition or exit

 Check out the M & A page on our site

To have a confidential discovery call reach out to:

Spencer Mehlman

Managing Director

National Skills Agency

Spencer@nationalskillsagency.co.uk

020 3953 1984 / 07775 805714

Why use a specialist recruiter?

Using the National Skills Agency as your apprenticeship sector specialist recruiter to find key hires such as Assessors, Trainers, Quality Managers and Business Developers will offer a raft of valuable advantages.

Here are just some of those key benefits:

Industry Expertise: We have in-depth knowledge of the apprenticeship sector, including its regulations, trends, and specific needs. This expertise allows us to identify candidates with the right skills and experience for the roles.

Access to a Niche Talent Pool: Our established networks and databases of candidates gives us a unique reach into our busy market. We can tap into a targeted talent pool that if often hidden to general recruitment methods.

Understanding of Apprenticeship Standards: Our team of specialist recruiters understand the intricacies of apprenticeship standards, assessment processes, and training requirements. This ensures they can identify candidates who are well-versed in the unique aspects of the apprenticeship sector.

Efficient Screening and Matching: With strong industry knowledge, we can efficiently screen candidates, ensuring that only those who meet the necessary criteria and have a genuine interest in apprenticeships are presented to you.

Quality over Quantity: The focus is on quality over quantity. We are to prioritise candidates who are not only technically qualified but also aligned to the values, and goals of your organisation.

Faster Time-to-Hire: The specialised nature of our search means we can identify potential candidates more quickly, reducing the time it takes to fill critical roles. We are constantly in dialogue with candidates across all aspects of our sector.

Industry Insights: The team can provide valuable insights into current market trends, salary expectations, and competitor activities, helping you make informed decisions during the hiring process.

Reduced Recruitment Costs: We have a sensible fee’s associated with our services, and our targeted approach will lead to quicker and hopefully more robust long term hires, potentially reducing the overall cost of recruitment.

Reputation and Trust: Working with a reputable specialist recruiter in the apprenticeship sector can enhance your organisation's reputation as it demonstrates a commitment to finding top-quality staff who understand the unique demands of the industry.

Overall, using a specialist recruiter such as the National Skills Agency with expertise in the apprenticeship sector can save you time, improve the quality of your hires, and contribute to the overall success of your apprenticeship programs and business development efforts.

To have an informal exploratory chat reach out to:

Spencer Mehlman

Managing Director

National Skills Agency

T- 020 3953 1984

M- 07775 805714

spencer@nationalskillsagency.co.uk

Lifelong learning is the process of acquiring knowledge and skills throughout one’s life. It is a continuous process that helps individuals to adapt to the changing world and stay relevant in their field. The value of lifelong learning cannot be overstated. It is essential for personal and professional growth, and it can help individuals to achieve their goals and aspirations.

Lifelong learning can help individuals to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in their field. It can help them to acquire new skills and knowledge that can be applied to their work. This can lead to increased productivity, better job performance, and career advancement.

Moreover, lifelong learning can help individuals to stay mentally sharp and engaged. It can help to prevent cognitive decline and improve memory and cognitive function. It can also help to reduce the risk of developing age-related diseases such as dementia.

Lifelong learning can also have a positive impact on personal growth and development. It can help individuals to discover new interests and hobbies, and to develop new skills and talents. It can also help to improve self-confidence and self-esteem.

In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing world, lifelong learning is more important than ever. The rapid pace of technological change and globalization means that individuals need to be adaptable and flexible in order to succeed. Lifelong learning can help individuals to develop the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in this environment.

In conclusion, lifelong learning is essential for personal and professional growth. It can help individuals to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in their field, improve job performance, and advance their careers. It can also help to prevent cognitive decline, improve memory and cognitive function, and reduce the risk of developing age-related diseases. Moreover, lifelong learning can have a positive impact on personal growth and development, helping individuals to discover new interests and hobbies, and to develop new skills and talents. It is a continuous process that can help individuals to achieve their goals and aspirations, and to stay relevant in their field. Keep up to date with our latest blogs for more information within the industry https://www.nationalskillsagency.co.uk/blog/blog 

You can also look into some of our rolees here https://www.nationalskillsagency.co.uk/job-search/browse/assessors/coaches/trainers/tutors/jobs

The importance of recruiting the best possible staff....

Recruiting the best possible staff is an essential factor in the success of any organization. In today's highly competitive business world, it is imperative to have a skilled and talented workforce that can help an organization achieve its goals and objectives. The value of recruiting the best possible staff cannot be overstated, as it can have a profound impact on an organization's productivity, profitability, and reputation. The Apprenticeship and training sector must aim to do this to ensure that those going through programmes have the best possible experience.

One of the key benefits of recruiting the best possible staff is that they bring valuable skills and experience to the organization. Skilled and experienced employees have a wealth of knowledge that can be leveraged to improve business processes, streamline operations, and drive innovation. They are more likely to have a track record of success in their respective fields, which can help boost the organization's overall performance.

Another important benefit of recruiting the best possible staff is that it can improve employee morale and job satisfaction. Employees who feel valued and appreciated are more likely to be motivated, productive, and engaged in their work. When an organization invests in recruiting the best possible staff, it sends a message that it values its employees and is committed to their success. This can help create a positive work culture and reduce employee turnover.

Recruiting the best possible staff can also help an organization stay competitive in the marketplace. In today's fast-paced business environment, companies that fail to attract and retain top talent are at a disadvantage. By recruiting the best possible staff, organizations can ensure that they have the skills and expertise necessary to compete effectively in their industry. This can help them stay ahead of the curve and respond quickly to changes in the marketplace.

Moreover, hiring the best possible staff can improve an organization's reputation. When an organization has a skilled and talented workforce, it is more likely to be viewed as a reputable and trustworthy company. This can help attract new customers and clients, as well as retain existing ones. It can also help attract investors and business partners, who are more likely to be interested in working with a company that has a strong reputation for success.

However, recruiting the best possible staff can be challenging and time-consuming. It requires a thorough recruitment process, which includes advertising job vacancies, screening resumes, conducting interviews, and checking references. It also requires an investment in training and development programs to help new hires develop the skills they need to succeed in their roles.

In conclusion, recruiting the best possible staff is an essential factor in the success of any organization. Skilled and experienced employees can bring valuable knowledge and expertise to the organization, improve employee morale and job satisfaction, help an organization stay competitive in the marketplace, and improve its reputation. However, it requires a significant investment of time and resources to recruit, train, and retain top talent. Organizations that are willing to make this investment are more likely to achieve long-term success and sustainability. Call the National Skills Agency team to chat through your requirements: 020 3953 1983

To see our full list of roles available please look at https://www.nationalskillsagency.co.uk/job-search/browse/education/jobs

Check out some of or other blogs! - https://www.nationalskillsagency.co.uk/blog/blog/recruiting-great-sales-people or click here to send us your vacancies

The College Staff Crisis

Here are the headline findings from an Association of Colleges report.

There are currently 3,293 vacancies being reported from the 48% of colleges which responded. This is within the context of 105,000 FTE roles within the sector as a whole

A mean of 30 vacancies per college was reported with a maximum of 162 for one college

1404 vacancies were reported in curriculum, with high levels of persistent vacancies in construction, engineering, health and social care and science and maths

1853 vacancies in support areas, with high levels of persistent vacancies in learning support roles, student services and facilities and estates roles.

96% of respondents report that the current level of vacancies is creating increased pressure on existing staff, 61% said that vacancies were have a significant impact on agency fees

Here at NSA helping you to recruit & retain great talent within the FE & Apprenticeship Market is our only mission.

We all know the last couple of years has been a roller coaster of emotions which has seen employers and candidates reconsider the work life balance and how it is rewarded. Recruiting assessors, coaches and tutors is causing our industry real frustration.

Lots of training providers shed staff as the pandemic caused uncertainty and panic. Those that were furloughed got to experience more time at home with no work pressures and this has led to many rethinking what they want out of life, this has now translated into a much tougher working wish list for candidates.

As the specialist recruiter in Apprenticeship and Training we have seen these changes first-hand. The current market is certainly candidate led, there is a real battle for talent and a shortage of good people across the sector.

We have put together some key points for colleges and training providers to consider.

Start the process as early as possible, be ahead of the game

Be as flexible as you can re hybrid or remote working

Put together a detailed spec ensuring it outlines all the benefits, the culture, targets, etc

Check out Glass Door- it is worth seeing how your organisation is perceived

Try to make the interview process as short as possible. When the process stretches to 3 or 4 interviews, or the time frame drags into 3-4 weeks you are very likely to lose the candidate!

In the current market candidates often have 2-3 interviews underway and may have several offers to choose from. If you take too long or make the process to painful the chances, are you will be starting the hiring process again

Ensure your salaries and benefits are in line with the market, there is still quite a lot of disparity. Those who are paying at the lower end of the market are seeing a steady stream of resignations and this is holding back their growth plans

If you make an offer, get the paperwork/email out ASAP

Cultural fit is important - can they meet team members and get a tour of the office

Retaining your people is also key. Losing a talented team member causes more than just a vacancy. It takes time and energy to replace them. Often their workload is shared by the existing team before a new person is fully up to speed. This can affect the general morale and sets the wrong tone. Their loss can also impact client relationships and have bigger implications if the transition isn’t as seamless as possible.

A few thoughts on retention but worth re-iterating:

Regular reviews

Sensible targets

Team events

Recognise employee’s hard work

Upgrade your equipment where possible

Flexible approach to working schedules

Professional development opportunities

Promote from within if possible

Good communication and collaboration

Our sector is in a unique and influential position to help the UK economy. Remote delivery has enabled training and coaching to continue throughout the pandemic giving greater flexibility to all parties. 

There are skills shortages right across the UK that can only be addressed through the effective use of apprenticeships and training. We have an opportunity to embed this learning culture into all businesses and this starts with all of us in the sector hiring and motivating the best people to share and deliver this agenda.

It is worth noting that NSA has access to candidates that are very much under the radar and not visible to other organisations due to our own bespoke database of 15,000+ candidates and a team with over 100,000 LinkedIn connections. 

Areas of specialism include:

Apprenticeship Directors / Managers

Business Development Directors / Managers 

Assessors, Coaches, Lecturers, Trainers

Careers Advisors / Employability specialists

Operations

Curriculum, Project & Programme Managers

MIS / Compliance / Data / Quality / Funding

Contact: spencer@nationalskillsagency.co.uk 020 3953 1984

The National Skills Agency is the UK’s specialist recruiter for the Apprenticeship, Training & Awarding marketplace. Our expert consultants have over 40 years combined experience in this key sector and a reputation for delivering meaningful results.

https://www.nationalskillsagency.co.uk/job-search

Check out our assessor roles!