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Running start for Advance in 2016

4th January 2016

It’s been a rollercoaster year for the rail industry. Mired by the pausing of numerous overpromised modernisation projects in the Midlands and the North of England, there was an air of uncertainty surrounding Network Rail’s capability to carry out all promised works in CP5. On the upside, we’ve witnessed the grand reopening of the remarkable Birmingham New Street station, the completion of the Reading station area redevelopment, whilst HS2 and Crossrail 2 have both made great leaps towards starting construction.

It’s also been an extraordinary year for rail recruitment specialists, advance-Training & Recruitment Services. The consultancy was recently shortlisted as a finalist for the coveted ‘Recruitment Excellence’ award at the 2016 UK Rail Industry Awards. The nomination came in the wake of advance’s continued commitment to reducing health and safety risks and incidents in the workplace.

The health and safety management system used by advance was recently OHSAS 18001 accredited by ACS Registrars. An OHSAS 18001 accredited safety management system enables advance to fully identify and control health and safety risks in the workplace; reducing the potential for future accidents and incidents.

The consultancy has also been awarded a five-star audit after receiving zero non-conformances for two successive years. RISQS is a pre-qualification scheme used by rail industry buyers to certify capable suppliers of products and services.

“We’re now coming off the back of a categorically outstanding year in 2015,” says managing director, Andy Ridout. “I’m delighted that we’re being recognised for providing services at the highest levels which we know is something our clients have come to expect in this industry. Everybody at advance has put in a huge amount of work within the last year and we’re all really looking forward to a running start in 2016.”

The Surrey-based recruitment consultancy now employs 23 full-time staff and has plans to grow the workforce up to more than 60 by 2019. Demand from clients has increased dramatically in the last year and turnover has increased more than 63% within that time.

In order to accommodate the increase in demand from clients, Advance has made an investment into a wider workspace and their team is currently in the process of moving into new offices more than twice the size of their current floor space.

Advance are now looking forward to an even busier 2016 and with multiple projects due to begin, it’s an exciting time to find a new career. Are you a talented rail professional looking for a new start this year? Advance Training & Recruitment Services are working with some of the biggest names in rail engineering on some of the UK’s most prestigious projects.

Get in contact with advance’s specialist recruitment team today, call 01483 361 061.

“Together, we can all advance.”