NEWS

Employers urged to take awards action

Last year's Archant Norfolk Recruitment Awards saw a record number of entries - and this year the judges hope to see that number increase by calling for employers from all sorts of industries to enter their teams.

“The Recruitment Awards were originally set up in recognition of the recruitment agencies in the county,” said Lisa Collen, HR and development manager from BBC East and head judge for the Recruitment Awards. “But over the last seven years it has evolved to encase the wider business community.”

Now entering its eighth year, the Recruitment Awards scheme is a unique opportunity for everyone involved in recruitment to gather in recognition of the talented individuals and teams in the region.

There are 10 awards up for grabs, including Best Recruitment Website, Rising Star, Unsung Hero, Best Employer and the coveted Best Team, and the winners of each category are announced at a glitzy awards evening every November.

Historically, the awards have been won by employees from recruitment agencies, but Mrs Collen and the six other independent judges want to see entries submitted from all types of local business.

Mrs Collen became involved in the Recruitment Awards after her own HR team won a highly-commended award at the event four years ago.

She was invited to become part of the steering group, which was brought in to find ways of making the judging process more credible and transparent.

A year later she became one of the seven-strong judging panel, and has been given the full support of the BBC to dedicate time to improving the awards processes.

The judges come from a range of backgrounds, including housing, food manufacture, travel, financial services, legal and media, but all are local to the region and have a passion for high standards and recognising success.

“We made the categories more business-focused, so that employers who weren't working in recruitment agencies would feel encouraged to enter.

“We have, and will continue to recognise the recruitment industry within Norfolk, which continually improves and boosts the local economy. However, in addition, we also want to recognise the achievements of all local employers.

“For example, entries for categories such as Unsung Hero and Rising Star could come from any business area.”

The awards judging is now more competency-based, so that applicants know exactly what criteria they are being measured against and the judges understand exactly how to measure each applicant to justify why one entry might be ranked higher than another.

One of the new key categories is Best Employer, which since last year has been split into two: employers of fewer than 100 employees and those with more than 100 staff.

Mrs Collen said: “It was very hard to compare the facilities and internal workings of a small employer against a multinational with a branch in the region.”

As well as the prestige attached to winning a category at the Recruitment Awards, Mrs Collen believes the awards are a great opportunity for businesses to publicly celebrate and receive acknowledgement for the aspects of the company that set it apart from its competition.

“It's a chance for employers to say thank you and show a different level of appreciation for their staff members' efforts towards the success of their business,” she said. “And it's a night of glitz and glamour where the best - and best dressed - of Norfolk's talented industries are on show.”

This year's Archant Norfolk Recruitment Awards takes place at Sprowston Manor Hotel on November 7, and include a drinks reception and three-course meal, followed by the awards ceremony presentation, where the winners and finalists will be announced by television presenter Becky Mantin.

“No matter what size your business is, or what industry it's in, you can enter the Recruitment Awards,” said Mrs Collen. “We are looking for teams that are proactive, consistent in achieving their goals, successful and continually striving to take their business forward.”