The Perspective
Our Founders perspective on the Education recruitment sector is informed by over 30 years of business experience in the UK and internationally, including 15 years specialising in education recruitment. This perspective is grounded in publicly available data and insights from operating a national business. Having recently sold Now Education Group, Gary Redman is now driven to pursue ventures that align with his passion for Education. As a Trustee of a school in Warwickshire he has leveraged his business expertise to support the Foundation’s objectives at a strategic level.
The Challenge
Current discussions often highlight the significant spending on recruitment agencies, projected to reach £1.3–1.5 billion annually. However, this figure is not solely for teacher recruitment. Without comprehensive real-time data across England and Wales, precise breakdowns are challenging, but my experience suggests approximately 35% of this spend is on teachers, 30% on teaching support, 20% on unfilled school vacancies, and 15% on specialist roles for special educational needs. In some cases, agency use may be more cost-effective, though the lack of real-time data makes this difficult to verify.
The Role of Data in Shaping Recruitment Strategies
Trusts seeking to manage recruitment costs are increasingly turning to Master Vendor arrangements, which claim to control expenditure. In reality, these often focus on controlling margins rather than overall costs. Similarly, initiatives like schools building their own talent databases are inefficient and resource-intensive. Recruitment is an art, requiring expertise that generic solutions often lack.
Rather than disengaging from agencies, Trusts should foster better partnerships with them. Having stepped away from the education recruitment sector after selling my business, I’m now focused on supporting this vital industry as a father of four and grandfather of four. My approach is rooted in one fundamental principle: data. Data is impartial, factual, and transparent, offering no room for subjective interpretation.
Agencies Hold the Talent — Trusts Need the Data
No one cares more about managing your recruitment costs than you do. By engaging more effectively with your recruitment supply chain using accurate, real-time data and establishing mutually beneficial terms between Trusts and agencies, you can prioritise the ultimate stakeholder: the Child. This ensures the delivery of high-quality education through the right talent.
The way we access services has changed. Just as consumers use platforms like Booking.com or Airbnb for properties, candidates rely on agencies for opportunities. Agencies hold the talent; what is needed is control through robust, data-driven processes. Only then can Trusts truly manage costs and reduce reliance on third-party solutions, ensuring resources are directed towards delivering exceptional Education.
Connect with us via
