Attracting high-calibre skilled workers can be challenging for any business, but for growing automation specialist SME Mechatronic Solutions, in late 2014 the issue became critical. Having forecasted a sustained period of growth as a result of a healthy increase in orders and the planned introduction of several new products, Mechatronic Solutions identified the need to take a more strategic approach to recruit the highly skilled professionals needed to take the business forward.
Since entering a full service supply arrangement in December 2014, Jonathan Lee Recruitment has drawn upon its unrivalled engineering and manufacturing recruitment capability and market presence to make a number of successful contract and permanent placements.
Richard Evans, Managing Director of Mechatronic Solutions, a leading provider of automation solutions and systems integration services comments: As an SME in a competitive market, weve previously found it difficult to find and recruit highly skilled engineers. So 18 months ago, acutely aware of the growing skills shortage and concerned about the practical implications of increasing our production levels, we decided to seek a recruitment partner that demonstrated a real depth of understanding of our sector and who would commit to providing us with the best candidates and service available. The team at Jonathan Lee Recruitment not only had the right track record in our sector but also really showed their willingness to invest time in the relationship and to learn about our business to contribute the right skilled staff to support our growth and success.
The starting point for the relationship was a full audit of the businesss HR processes and systems. This allowed the team at Jonathan Lee Recruitment to deepen their understanding of both the challenges facing the business and the opportunities for improvement. One challenge highlighted was the business understated exposure and awareness in the candidate market. Jonathan Lee Recruitment has since been working with the business to improve the understanding of Mechatronic Solutions brand in the recruitment market and enhance its image as an employer of choice.
It was also identified that investment would be key for existing team members. Mechatronic Solutions ambitious growth plans would require strategic management; Jonathan Lee Recruitments talent management specialists therefore proposed a tailored and thorough leadership coaching programme. The programme was delivered to the first line management to support their personal development. They also participated in a structured interview workshop to ensure consistency in the hiring process.
Richard Evans added Since then, the partnership weve developed has become invaluable. Not only has the team provided a full service supply of contract and permanent staff through their Managed Services brand, but thanks to their Talent Management expert consultancy and coaching services, we now have bespoke recruitment management processes in place and senior managers who are equipped to support our talent acquisition plans. Weve developed a true partnership, one I now would not want to be without.
For the team at Jonathan Lee Recruitment, working with Mechatronic Solutions has been very rewarding as Jayne Wogan, Head of Account Services comments: Providing the best and most appropriate resourcing solutions to our customers lies at the heart of our business values. There are many technical, entrepreneur-led SMEs in the Midlands producing fantastic products and services who are facing this battle for skills against the bigger corporates. The enthusiasm of the leadership team at Mechatronic Solutions to continuously improve is a real selling point for our team and because our relationship is for the long term, we get to see their people grow, develop and contribute to the success.
Richard Evans adds: We were impressed with the deep empathetic understanding that Jonathan Lee Recruitment showed from the very beginning. The team that supports us has been fantastic and long may the relationship continue!