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Fund Raising for Mental Health UK
The Alliance Consulting team is looking forward to their 2nd annual fund raising event for our charity partner, Mental Health UK on May 5th 2024.
Mental Health is of huge importance to our business following the loss of our company founder, Grant Mead, who sadly lost a long battle with his own mental health, passing away in July 2021.
We will be hosting what promises to be a fun packed day from 2pm at Thurleigh Sports and Social Club in Thurleigh, Beds, Grant’s home village to raise funds and awareness for this very important cause.
There will be food vans throughout the day and into the evening along with ice cream and desserts and the children can expect to be entertained with various activities including face painting, games, funfair, pamper stations, karaoke and bouncy castle. . Later, the “grown-ups” can enjoy dancing and a sing song with our terrific resident DJ, purchasing “Dutch courage” of course and therefore donating further to our cause as Thurleigh Sports and Social Club will be donating a portion of their bar takings for the day.
We are already receiving wonderful donations of restaurant vouchers, hampers, and other attractive prizes from a number of local sponsors for a raffle and our vendors will all be donating a portion of their proceeds.
For those who cannot attend, we would welcome your donations via our justgiving page featured below. We would also welcome raffle prizes and further sponsors who can provide financial contributions.
We look forward to welcoming you all on the day
For further information, please contact reda@alliance-consulting.co.uk
https://www.justgiving.com/page/r-m-1688554188972...
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21 Feb 2024
T Levels - What Employers Need to Know
What are T Levels ?
As last week was National Apprenticeships Week, we wanted to give our network a closer look at T Levels and what they can mean for employers. This is a subject quite close to our hearts as Alliance Consulting welcomed their first placement student Michele Mazzei in November 2023. Michele is studying towards a T Level in Business
What T-level courses are available?
What are T-level grades worth?
Maria Mazzei – Managing Director of Alliance Consulting was invited last month to the T Level Business students at Bedford College to give them an insight to the working world and how what they are currently studying will impact later on their career paths.
Talk to us if you are interesting in learning more about T Levels or about #engineering #cybersecurity #technicalrecruitment #engineering #recruitment
As last week was National Apprenticeships Week, we wanted to give our network a closer look at T Levels and what they can mean for employers. This is a subject quite close to our hearts as Alliance Consulting welcomed their first placement student Michele Mazzei in November 2023. Michele is studying towards a T Level in Business
- T-levels, introduced in 2020, are vocational qualifications aimed at 16-19 year olds and which focus more on practical subjects than academic ones.
- Each course lasts two years and is roughly equivalent to three A-levels.
- The qualification includes a mixture of both classroom learning and on-the-job experience, with a work placement of at least 315 hours - or about nine weeks - making up roughly 20% of the course.
- T-levels are designed to cater for students who want an alternative to A-levels but do not wish to take an apprenticeship, which usually requires as much as 80% of a student's time to be spent with an employer.
- Final grades are based on a combination of exams, coursework and completion of the industry placement.
What T-level courses are available?
- The number of T-level courses has expanded each academic year since 2020 and now include: accountancy, digital business, finance, healthcare and manufacturing, legal services, agriculture, land management and production As of 2024, animal care and management, craft and design, media, broadcast and production will also be available. A marketing T-level is due to roll out in 2025.
- T-levels were introduced to "streamline" post-16 education and make things less confusing for students and employers.
What are T-level grades worth?
- T-level qualifications are equivalent to three A-levels.
- Students get one of four grades, ranging from a distinction* to a pass. Their certificate shows their overall grade and lists their experiences on the course.
- A distinction* is worth 168 Ucas points - the same as three A*s at A-level - and a merit is equivalent to three Bs at A-level.
Maria Mazzei – Managing Director of Alliance Consulting was invited last month to the T Level Business students at Bedford College to give them an insight to the working world and how what they are currently studying will impact later on their career paths.
Talk to us if you are interesting in learning more about T Levels or about #engineering #cybersecurity #technicalrecruitment #engineering #recruitment
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Visas, Sponsorship and Engineering Skills Shortage
From April 2024, the UK Government will increase the earning threshold for overseas workers by nearly 50% from its current position of £26,200 to £38,700. The reason for this is to encourage businesses to look to British talent first and invest in their own workforce, helping employers to not over-rely on migration.
The government will also increase the minimum income required for British citizens and those settled in the UK who want their family members to join them. Altogether this reinforces that all those who want to work and live in the UK must be able to support themselves, are contributing to the economy, and are not burdening the state.
Immigration rules laid on 14 March will abolish the Shortage Occupation List, remove the 20% going rate discount for occupations, and introduce the new Immigration Salary List to be reviewed by the Migration Advisory Committee. It will be introduced in early April
However, with the UK still experiencing a huge shortage of skilled engineers, many employers may still need to look to overseas engineering talent pools.
We have compiled a short video detailing what an employer may need to know in this respect.
For further information, please contact Daniel Horne on 01234 355311 or dan@alliance-consulting.co.uk
From April 2024, the UK Government will increase the earning threshold for overseas workers by nearly 50% from its current position of £26,200 to £38,700. The reason for this is to encourage businesses to look to British talent first and invest in their own workforce, helping employers to not over-rely on migration.
The government will also increase the minimum income required for British citizens and those settled in the UK who want their family members to join them. Altogether this reinforces that all those who want to work and live in the UK must be able to support themselves, are contributing to the economy, and are not burdening the state.
Immigration rules laid on 14 March will abolish the Shortage Occupation List, remove the 20% going rate discount for occupations, and introduce the new Immigration Salary List to be reviewed by the Migration Advisory Committee. It will be introduced in early April
However, with the UK still experiencing a huge shortage of skilled engineers, many employers may still need to look to overseas engineering talent pools.
We have compiled a short video detailing what an employer may need to know in this respect.
For further information, please contact Daniel Horne on 01234 355311 or dan@alliance-consulting.co.uk
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12 Feb 2024
Reda's February Blog
The picture pretty much sums up any free time I had in January. After a hectic holiday season, January can be a really good time to take a moment to reset and spend time on yourself. The prospect of a new year can be quite overwhelming and so it’s important to take some time to focus on your mind and take care of yourself.
It often feels like you need to make huge new resolutions and whilst it’s a good time to set some new goals they don’t need to be big and bold. In fact, making smaller, more achievable goals will make you feel better and you’re more likely to complete them. Make sure to not put too much pressure on yourself!
Looking after your mental and physical health is really important. I haven’t made any specific goals this year, instead opting to ‘just do a little bit‘ I have some daily practices I am working towards, but also not getting mad at myself if I don’t hit them. One of those is walking.
Having Treacle, our rescue dog, means we have definitely been walking more regularly than before. I know how much benefit I get from being outside. Its free for all and always there, whatever the weather!
Even when I am tired I just lace up my boots, put my coat on and start walking. Often the times I can’t be bothered end up being my longest and most enjoyable walks. When you don’t want to, it probably means you need to. Just put your boots on and get outside!
My favourite thing to do on my walks is voice-note my friends (or listen to voice-notes from them), it’s a great way to catch up with people at a time that works for you.
I also love to listen to a podcast. Sometimes I do neither and just listen to the sound of the river and Treacle chasing after birds.
Listening to the sound of nature, breathing in fresh air, stomping through muddy fields, watching the river gushing by and feeling rain fall on your face.
Nature is incredible, I’m a big fan! There is loads of research around the healing power of nature and the closer I get to it the more I realise its magic!
When I’m having a bad day, a walk never fails to help.
When I’m stressed, sad, angry or just feeling irritated or annoyed at the world. I find going for a big stomp in the fields really helps. Try it!
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09 Feb 2024
Dan's Jan '24 Blog
Looking back at what always feels like the longest month of the year, this has been quite unlike any other I have experienced after almost a decade in recruitment.
I’ll give a quick summary of my thoughts on THREE things here, and then dive into more detail in future posts:
No early January flurry of vacancies – many clients wanted to explore options internally in response to employees handing in notices including:
- Assessing internal talent to promote into vacant roles (as I would encourage every organisation to do anyway)
- Attempting to retain them with counter-offers (often a short-term solution to buy the company time to find a replacement)
- Reviewing role responsibilities and organisational structures (again, I would encourage all companies to review the job description so that we are able to find the right person to fulfil the current needs of the role rather than a direct replacement who met what was needed a few years ago. It may be that the role could be considered redundant or the scope has changed so much that a new position would be preferable)
Questions about the proposed changes to the UK legal migration visa system announced in December 2023 – in particular the skilled worker and family visas in 2024.
Candidates having a clearer idea of working conditions they are prioritising in a new role including elements such as:
- fully remote, hybrid, office-based, and amount of regional, national and international travel
- core working hours and flexible hours to fit around commitments outside of work
- benefits such as private medical cover for them and family members
If you have any questions or would like to discuss any of them, then just reach out to me!
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What are Workations?
The last few years have changed the way employees work. Remote and hybrid working became the new normal, which gave rise to new buzzwords with the latest trending one being ‘workation’
As the name suggests, a workation is when employees combine their work with vacationing and visit a destination while still working. In a workation, employees can decide to work from anywhere, including mountains, beach resorts, etc. Employees generally spend several weeks or months in the same destination and move to another location while keeping their work 100% remote should they choose to do so. Other employees may wish to use a workation in order to manage family obligations which take them away from the office, whilst not jeopardising their holiday entitlement.
Often offered as packages, employers who offer workations report higher employee satisfaction, attract top talent and promote employee well-being. Noticeable benefits of workations include the following:
· Positive impact on employees’ mental and physical health
· Breaking the daily routine
· Increased productivity
· Increased quality of work
· Increased job satisfaction
· Maintenance of work continuity
Alliance Consulting has already put this to the test with our own Managing Director, Maria Mazzei currently enjoying a workation in the south of Italy allowing her to visit her family whilst still fulfilling her work obligations.
Contact us to discuss #workations or how we can assist you with hiring for your engineering requirements.
The last few years have changed the way employees work. Remote and hybrid working became the new normal, which gave rise to new buzzwords with the latest trending one being ‘workation’
As the name suggests, a workation is when employees combine their work with vacationing and visit a destination while still working. In a workation, employees can decide to work from anywhere, including mountains, beach resorts, etc. Employees generally spend several weeks or months in the same destination and move to another location while keeping their work 100% remote should they choose to do so. Other employees may wish to use a workation in order to manage family obligations which take them away from the office, whilst not jeopardising their holiday entitlement.
Often offered as packages, employers who offer workations report higher employee satisfaction, attract top talent and promote employee well-being. Noticeable benefits of workations include the following:
· Positive impact on employees’ mental and physical health
· Breaking the daily routine
· Increased productivity
· Increased quality of work
· Increased job satisfaction
· Maintenance of work continuity
Alliance Consulting has already put this to the test with our own Managing Director, Maria Mazzei currently enjoying a workation in the south of Italy allowing her to visit her family whilst still fulfilling her work obligations.
Contact us to discuss #workations or how we can assist you with hiring for your engineering requirements.
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24 Jan 2024
Maria's January Blog
And just like that, in the blink of an eye, we welcomed the start of 2024. How on earth are we reaching the end of January already??
It's been a busy few weeks for me so far this year. As well as confirming some new placements and ensuring a strong start to Q1, January has also been all about the team setting the marketing strategy for 2024. Some interesting meetings with new suppliers in this respect and we are looking forward to trialing some new ideas and also sharing some interesting new content in different ways on our social platforms.
I also went to Bedford College last week to deliver a presentation to 1st year students studying T Level Business. It was an absolute pleasure engaging with them and answering their questions - Indeed, a bit of a trip down memory lane given that I also studied Business at A Level and at university!
Oh, and how could I forget... I've also been to see the Pope! An awesome 3 day city break in Rome which was incredible. I got to see the Vatican, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and Spanish Steps which was breath taking. Looking forward to my next visit. But first things first, we have a Marketing strategy to start delivering :)
It's been a busy few weeks for me so far this year. As well as confirming some new placements and ensuring a strong start to Q1, January has also been all about the team setting the marketing strategy for 2024. Some interesting meetings with new suppliers in this respect and we are looking forward to trialing some new ideas and also sharing some interesting new content in different ways on our social platforms.
I also went to Bedford College last week to deliver a presentation to 1st year students studying T Level Business. It was an absolute pleasure engaging with them and answering their questions - Indeed, a bit of a trip down memory lane given that I also studied Business at A Level and at university!
Oh, and how could I forget... I've also been to see the Pope! An awesome 3 day city break in Rome which was incredible. I got to see the Vatican, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and Spanish Steps which was breath taking. Looking forward to my next visit. But first things first, we have a Marketing strategy to start delivering :)
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10 Jan 2024
Michele's January Blog
Well, what a shock returning to college from a 3-week Christmas break and leaving the lovely comfort of my technology filled “man cave” to get back to the textbooks at college.
In terms of college life, everything has been going swimmingly four months into my course. Lots and lots of business content to learn about and revise from. We have recently touched upon corporate culture and understanding the collection of values, beliefs, and expectations that organisations aim to represent. In my opinion, it is very interesting to consider that the culture within business organisation tend to emerge from the values of the owners and senior managers. This is mainly because they have the power to enforce their beliefs and values onto their employees and other stakeholders.
It’s also really interesting to see how the content I am learning at college translates into the workplace. My work placement journey with Alliance Consulting has too been going at a consistent pace. Maria Mazzei, the Managing Director (and my mother) along with the rest of the team continue to educate me on the techniques they use to recruit the best potential candidates for their vacancies.
At college we have learnt about the different types of cultures found in organisations. At Alliance Consulting, the culture consists of professionalism and treating every candidate as an individual as opposed to a figure of income for the business and the mission statement is “Bringing integrity, intelligence and energy to your team”.
Today, I was part of the marketing strategy meeting in which we discussed ideas and tools we can use this year for social media marketing. I was really flattered to be consulted on some video presentations I have done as part of my college work and to be asked if I can suggest some ideas and appear in some short videos for company use on the Alliance Consulting social media platforms.
I look forward to the future and what potential challenges and achievements are yet to come and will narrate them within blogs such as this :)
In terms of college life, everything has been going swimmingly four months into my course. Lots and lots of business content to learn about and revise from. We have recently touched upon corporate culture and understanding the collection of values, beliefs, and expectations that organisations aim to represent. In my opinion, it is very interesting to consider that the culture within business organisation tend to emerge from the values of the owners and senior managers. This is mainly because they have the power to enforce their beliefs and values onto their employees and other stakeholders.
It’s also really interesting to see how the content I am learning at college translates into the workplace. My work placement journey with Alliance Consulting has too been going at a consistent pace. Maria Mazzei, the Managing Director (and my mother) along with the rest of the team continue to educate me on the techniques they use to recruit the best potential candidates for their vacancies.
At college we have learnt about the different types of cultures found in organisations. At Alliance Consulting, the culture consists of professionalism and treating every candidate as an individual as opposed to a figure of income for the business and the mission statement is “Bringing integrity, intelligence and energy to your team”.
Today, I was part of the marketing strategy meeting in which we discussed ideas and tools we can use this year for social media marketing. I was really flattered to be consulted on some video presentations I have done as part of my college work and to be asked if I can suggest some ideas and appear in some short videos for company use on the Alliance Consulting social media platforms.
I look forward to the future and what potential challenges and achievements are yet to come and will narrate them within blogs such as this :)
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Register a new vacancy with Alliance Consulting by 10th January 2024 to receive one of our beautiful festive hampers.
Alliance Consulting will also donate £100 per vacancy to our charity partner Mental Health UK.
Terms and Conditions apply.
Terms & Conditions:
· This promotion is open to companies with a registered address in the UK and applies to any domestic or international vacancies
· In order to be eligible for this promotion each vacancy must be qualified with a member of Alliance Consulting Group Ltd and Terms and Conditions of business with Alliance Consulting Group Ltd signed & returned.
· Alliance Consulting Group Ltd’s decision as to those able to take part and selection of those who have satisfied the entry criteria is final. No correspondence relating to this promotion will be entered into.
· There is no entry fee and no purchase necessary to enter this promotion.
· By entering this competition, an entrant is indicating his/her agreement to be bound by these terms and conditions.
· Closing date for this offer will be 8pm on Wednesday 10th January 2024.
· No responsibility can be accepted for entries not received for whatever reason.
· For each qualified vacancy registered Alliance Consulting will donate £100 to our official charity partner Mental Health UK.
· The hamper is as stated and no cash or other alternatives will be offered. The hamper is not transferable. Hampers are subject to availability and we reserve the right to substitute this for another item without giving notice.
· Alliance Consulting Group Ltd reserves the right to cancel this offer if circumstances arise outside of its control.
· Alliance Consulting Group Ltd will notify those eligible when and where the hamper can be collected / can be delivered i.e. during a site visit.
· Alliance Consulting Group Ltd’s decision in respect of all matters to do with the competition will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.
· By entering this promotion, an entrant is indicating his/her agreement to be bound by these terms and conditions.
· Entry into this promotion will be deemed as acceptance of these terms and conditions.
You are providing your information to Alliance Consulting Group Ltd and not to any other party. The information provided will be used in conjunction with the following Privacy Policy found at https://www.alliance-consulting.co.uk/website-privacy-policy
Alliance Consulting will also donate £100 per vacancy to our charity partner Mental Health UK.
Terms and Conditions apply.
Terms & Conditions:
· This promotion is open to companies with a registered address in the UK and applies to any domestic or international vacancies
· In order to be eligible for this promotion each vacancy must be qualified with a member of Alliance Consulting Group Ltd and Terms and Conditions of business with Alliance Consulting Group Ltd signed & returned.
· Alliance Consulting Group Ltd’s decision as to those able to take part and selection of those who have satisfied the entry criteria is final. No correspondence relating to this promotion will be entered into.
· There is no entry fee and no purchase necessary to enter this promotion.
· By entering this competition, an entrant is indicating his/her agreement to be bound by these terms and conditions.
· Closing date for this offer will be 8pm on Wednesday 10th January 2024.
· No responsibility can be accepted for entries not received for whatever reason.
· For each qualified vacancy registered Alliance Consulting will donate £100 to our official charity partner Mental Health UK.
· The hamper is as stated and no cash or other alternatives will be offered. The hamper is not transferable. Hampers are subject to availability and we reserve the right to substitute this for another item without giving notice.
· Alliance Consulting Group Ltd reserves the right to cancel this offer if circumstances arise outside of its control.
· Alliance Consulting Group Ltd will notify those eligible when and where the hamper can be collected / can be delivered i.e. during a site visit.
· Alliance Consulting Group Ltd’s decision in respect of all matters to do with the competition will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.
· By entering this promotion, an entrant is indicating his/her agreement to be bound by these terms and conditions.
· Entry into this promotion will be deemed as acceptance of these terms and conditions.
You are providing your information to Alliance Consulting Group Ltd and not to any other party. The information provided will be used in conjunction with the following Privacy Policy found at https://www.alliance-consulting.co.uk/website-privacy-policy
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With an annual demand for approximately 124,000 engineers in the UK plus a further 79,000 roles requiring broad engineering skill sets, it's no wonder that there is a skills shortage!