A national shortage of HGV drivers has helped a recruitment firm founded by a young entrepreneur to take further workspace at a thriving business hub in Portsmouth.
Founded by Adam Hardy, 26, Sourced Recruitment originally started from his flat in Fareham.
Having grown to employ four staff at Portsmouth Technopole, Adam is looking to double the size of his team by December.
The business, which moved into the landmark serviced offices building in February 2018, is a permanent recruitment and headhunting specialist, focusing on positions in logistics, waste management, engineering, IT and contact centres.
Founder-director Adam is supported by Dale Richards, head of logistics and engineering, and company administrator Misha Harding, with a trainee recruitment consultant due to start in April.
There is a widely reported national shortage of HGV drivers in the UK, with up to a reported 50,000 vacancies. Due to this, Sourced Recruitment has become a trusted recruiter for filling cab seats.
Adam said: “Without qualified drivers to draw upon, companies can become unstuck, unable to fulfil orders for customers, whether that’s a scheduled haulage job two months down the line for a motorway repair job, or a private hire coach trip booked as a part of someone’s holiday package.
“With Brexit, there is potential for supply chain disruption, causing more challenges for the transport and logistics sectors.”
According to Adam industry recruitment issues include a skills shortage, an ageing HGV driver population – reportedly significantly older than the national average – and a reliance on overseas labour.
“It is against this background that HGV drivers, and mechanics, are becoming increasingly hard to recruit, especially with UK employment at a record high.”
Adam added: “The labour shortage means that qualified drivers are coming to us in droves as they know we are the eyes and ears of the sector, identifying placement opportunities in double quick time because it is a job-seeker’s market.
“Due to popular demand Sourced Recruitment has capitalised on an opportunity to provide a permanent driver recruitment service across the industries we operate in.”
Adam paid tribute to support provided by Portsmouth Technopole, pictured, from the friendly reception services and cleaning to the strategic location, by the M275 at Kingston Crescent, and affordability.
“This kind of back-up has freed me up to focus on developing the business – every hour counts, we are that busy.”
Robin Sheppard, Portsmouth Technopole’s centre manager, said: “It’s great to see Adam’s company Sourced Recruitment upsizing office space here.
“The business is on track to have eight staff on-site by the end of the year and is a shining example of a Technopole occupier providing solutions to crucial industries, including the international ports here in Portsmouth and at Southampton.”
Portsmouth Technopole is owned by the University of Portsmouth and run by Oxford Innovation, the UK’s leading innovation centre operator.
Portsmouth Technopole is dedicated to supporting businesses within the region, and helping to develop stronger working relationships between students, academics and local business.
The Technopole is one of the university’s four office and coworking solutions, known collectively as Innovation Connect.
