PCG wins trade awards against backdrop of membership increase
In recognition of its work on behalf of contractors, PCG (formerly known as the Professional Contractors Group) has been awarded two awards at the Trade Association Forum 2010 Best Practice Awards. PCG Managing Director John Brazier received the Leadership Award and the revamped PCG website received ‘Website of the Year’. PCG was also shortlisted for the Membership Recruitment award, as membership numbers have grown by 16.5% in three years. More…
Contractors missing private sector opportunities
Research by recruiter Hays shows that, whilst public sector clients value contractors for the additional skills they bring, private sector clients still use contractors primarily for cost reduction. According to ContractorCalculator CEO Dave Chaplin, these findings should open up fresh marketing opportunities for contractors: “The private sector needs to innovate to successfully compete, so showing them that contractors offer a unique opportunity to cost-effectively tap into high-end and cutting-edge skills could lead to many new contracts opening up.” More…
UK economic recovery ‘consolidating’
The latest British Chambers of Commerce Economic Survey shows that the UK economy continued to grow in the second quarter of 2010, with key indicators such as employment expectation, investment plans, export orders and domestic sales all showing an increase. This positive news for all contractors is bolstered by ongoing improved fortunes of the manufacturing sector, but the report warns that the UK could easily tip back into recession. More…
Contract volume growth slows
According to the latest Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC)/KPMG Report on Jobs, the appointment of contractors continues to grow, but at a slower pace and against a backdrop of the number of contractors on the market for work increasing sharply. Engineering and construction contractors are enjoying something of a renaissance, as REC Chief Executive Kevin Green explains: “…the jobs market is stable and, in some sectors such as construction and engineering, rapidly growing.” More…
CIPS market data paints mixed picture for contractors
The three main Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) Reports from the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) and Markit shows a healthy manufacturing sector, a slow but significant improvement in the construction and infrastructure engineering sector, but sluggish growth and low confidence in the services sector. According to CIPS, confidence is waning in advance of the impact of planned austerity measures and the resulting anticipated slump in public sector activity. More…
CFO survey reveals bullish outlook
Contractors are in the perfect position to fulfil corporate growth aspirations that have moved up the agenda of Chief Financial Officers in the UK’s biggest companies. According to the latest Deloitte CFO Survey, Q2 results reveal that, whilst confidence is at a 12-month low, and 38% foresee the chance of a double-dip recession, ”expansionary strategies including capital spending, expanding into new markets and launching new products and services, have shifted up the priority list.” More…
Contractor umbrella solutions launch in Germany
Contractors may now find it easier to win and administer contracts in Germany. Contractor accountant Danbro has been awarded an AUG license, which allows it to carry out labour leasing in Germany and offer contractors a Germany-based umbrella payroll solution. The Arbeitnehmerüberlassungsgesetz (AUG) legislation regulates temporary worker transfers between workplaces and is an essential requirement for umbrellas to operate in Germany, as many German clients won’t work with a firm that lacks an AUG licence. More…