Advance TRS is more than just a recruitment agency; we are your consultative partner, trusted advisor, and expert collaborator dedicated to delivering unparalleled solutions.
Specialising in key infrastructure markets such as energy, renewables, rail, transport, aviation, water, environment, highways, and construction across the UK and Ireland, we pride ourselves on being the go-to specialists for businesses in search of top talent.
Our team at Advance TRS is characterised by deep knowledge and extensive experience in the sectors we recruit for. With well-networked professionals committed to providing a consultative and collaborative approach to recruitment, we offer a range of services including permanent or contract recruitment, Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO), and specialised services such as Managed Services & Consultancy covering Project/Programme Management, Design, Commercial, and Contract Management.
Our commitment to excellence is unwavering, and we thrive on being a beacon of reliability in the industry. As we navigate the intricate landscape of the built environment, we provide not only recruitment solutions but also a holistic understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the sectors we serve. Trust Advance TRS to be your dedicated partner in success.
My consultant was very easy to talk to and very informative giving me all the information I needed right from the start. Very friendly and approachable for any questions I had and rang me for regular check ups during the first few weeks to make sure I was settled in well.
Candidate
My consultant was extremely professional and helpful in their approach. I was kept informed with clear communication at all stages of the process. They guided me through the successful assignment leading to employment with a Very Reputable Client.
Candidate
I have worked through Advance TRS on a fairly regular basis over the past few years and my consultant has always kept me informed about positions that they have put me forward for, always checks on how I am doing.
Candidate
I liked that my consultant listened carefully to what I was saying and was fully supportive and understanding my situation, in particular due to the fact that I had been with my previous company for almost 20 years, so not easy to leave. They did the extra steps in helping me sending the resignation email, when to send it, and providing moral support in that difficult moment. They left me as well a message to wish me good luck for my first day at the new company just before starting.
Candidate
Using an agency like Advance TRS helped me see that I had transferrable skills I could use across sectors. Their knowledge gave me the confidence in my capabilities when I couldn’t see them myself, which was really encouraging.
Candidate
My consultant had great knowledge and knew how to match the CV to the job position. He is professional, knowledgeable and approachable. He asked the right questions at the introductory interview and collected all required information in addition to my CV to communicate to the new employer. He kept me informed during the whole period with regular phone calls to ensure a smooth process from the start, to the interview, the negotiations, signing of the contract and onboarding. I highly recommend Advance TRS for anyone wanting to find a matching job opportunity.
Candidate
I can honestly say the service provided to me is brilliant. My consultant has consistently kept me in the loop with everything and has been a great help for me. Very professional and approachable person who has always gone above and beyond. I would always recommend TRS to any work colleagues and friends.
Candidate
One of Advance TRS’s greatest assets is its people. I work with a great group of people who make coming to work not feel like work at all, they are fun and upbeat whilst being hard working and dedicated. It is a pleasure to be part of a company with so much potential, I look forward to growing with the business and seeing what the future holds.
Member of staff
I truly believe that company culture and the everyday working atmosphere is essential in any company. You spend a lot of time at work and with your colleagues and in the last 6 years working for Advance TRS I can honestly say I always look forward to coming to work. Many of the people I work with I can genuinely call my friends and the exponential opportunity for personal and professional development offered to me has been really exciting.
Member of staff
At Advance TRS the people care about what they do and the company values permeate through the entire team. It’s great to work with such great people and the incentives are always so much fun. One of the best things about working for Advance TRS are the real opportunities to grow and progress through the organisation. It’s a really exciting company to be part of and an added bonus to be right in the middle of a thriving town.
Member of staff
Advance TRS have access to specialist engineering staff and have a very good understanding of our business needs along with the skill and knowledge requirements of the individuals that they propose. These roles have varied from site supervisors and engineers to senior engineers, CRE’s, CEM’s and construction managers. All of the staff that have been provided have either met or exceeded the basic requirements that we have requested.
Client
Personally, I have found Advance TRS to be very pro-active with regular engagement on our current needs and importantly, on the performance and behaviours of the staff that they have supplied. They have also fed back on how staff have settled in, and this is a valuable source of information on the performance and perception of staff who sit outside of the more structured feedback loops.
Client
We have been working closely with Advance TRS, for over a year now, developing an understanding of the type of work we do and more importantly, the calibre of staff we require to fulfil certain key roles. To date, Advance TRS have successfully helped us fill many key roles within the business unit. This is testament to the wide network of people Advance TRS are able to reach out to and also a deep understanding of the industry as well as our specific requirements.
Client
Having dealt with Advance TRS as both a candidate and as a client I can confirm that they are professional and efficient in the supply of skilled staff. They have some excellent calibre candidates, with a wealth of industry experience that can certainly make the difference in the delivery of large multi-disciplinary infrastructure projects. Many of these candidates will only contract through Advance TRS, and this demonstrates the professionalism and trust that exists between candidate and agency. I have always found that ATRS are open, honest and fair in their dealings, which builds relationships throughout the supply chain from candidate to ultimate client.
Client
Our
Approach
Advance TRS is a niche recruitment consultancy specialising in providing highly skilled technical professionals and custom recruitment solutions to engineering clients in the Built Environment sector. Our team recruits nationally across the UK and can source candidates from established talent pools in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. With a track record of successfully placing hundreds of skilled candidates into major organisations at all levels, including technical, managerial, and directorial disciplines, we pride ourselves on consistently supplying quality candidates. We strive to create long-lasting and dependable relationships, saving you time and money with every hire.
Sourcing from an
Extensive Network
Leveraging our extensive network of industry professionals, we source candidates with the specific skills and expertise required for infrastructure projects. Whether it’s finding experienced engineers for bridge design or skilled laborers for groundworks, we connect our clients with the right talent to meet their project needs.
Offering
Market
Intelligence
We provide valuable market intelligence to our clients, offering insights into industry trends, salary benchmarks, and competitor analysis. This enables our clients to make informed decisions and stay ahead in the competitive infrastructure market.
Combatting Human
Capital Challenges
We understand the human capital challenges faced by our clients in the infrastructure sector, such as talent shortages, skill gaps, and workforce turnover. Through proactive recruitment strategies and talent pipelining, we help our clients overcome these challenges and build strong, sustainable teams for their projects.
Geographic
Coverage
Our recruitment services cover various geographic locations across the UK, including England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. We have a wide-reaching network to source talent locally and nationally, ensuring that our clients have access to the best candidates regardless of location.
Our Story
Advance TRS was founded in 2011 by Andy Ridout, Founder and Group Managing Director. A veteran rail signalling recruiter, Andy was driven to build a business that placed an emphasis on quality recruitment partnerships. Andy quickly attracted a talented team to build a senior leadership team and fellow recruiters in the rail industry.
Andy was early to establish the core of giving back to those less able at the heart of the business, completing the Horseman Xtreme Triathlon raising £12k for children’s charity Railway Children.
Company
history
In 2014, Advance TRS joined as a member of Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo) and in 2015 achieved ISO 19001 and OHSAS 18001 certification after a rigorous audit process.
In 2016 the business doubled in staff and won both the High Growth and Overall, Winner awards at the SME Surrey Business Awards.
The team welcomed some significant recruits in 2017 including Paul Metcalfe as Non-Executive Director, Michael Schruyers as Rail & Infrastructure Director. This linked with a company rebrand and new corporate identity marked a landmark year and huge step forward for the business.
In 2018 Advance TRS welcomed Rob Kelly to expand both the market offering to include the Water & Environment Sector and also to open a new office in Port Solent. Advance TRS was also recognised by winning Employer of the Year and Leadership Team of the Year at the Toast of Surrey Business Awards.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Advance TRS worked closely with key clients to deliver recruitment through challenging circumstances adapting our practices to keep people safe without letting project timelines suffer.
Following a gap in funding for Railway Children due to the pandemic, Advance TRS launched the Advance TRS Golf Day for Rail Aid in 2020. Over 3 annual events we were delighted to raise over £55k for Children In need across the UK, Africa, and India. Over numerous fundraising activities the Advance TRS are delighted to have raised over £100k for various charities.
Since 2020 Advance TRS has continued to hire top talent to lead the business into new market sectors and new offices in London. Now, Advance TRS has diversified and grown to lead recruitment solutions in key infrastructure markets such as energy, renewables, rail, transport, aviation, water, environment, highways, and construction. The business service offering has also expanded to offer a range of services including permanent or contract recruitment, Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO), and specialised services such as Managed Services & Consultancy covering Project/Programme Management, Commercial, and Contract Management.
Our company values run at the heart of our approach, governing our actions and services. We believe in them and we recognise each of them in the way we act both with each other and with those we support.
Our team
We are always looking for new talented and ambitious people to join our team, across our offices and in sales, management or business services.
We pride ourselves on being the best we can be and delivering a premium quality service to our candidates and clients alike. In order to deliver this, we look for people with the right qualities and habits so we can equip them with the tools to be the best recruiters.
DRIVEN, HARD-WORKING, FOCUSED, AMBITIOUS, OPTIMISTIC, SELF-MOTIVATED, PERSISTENT, CARING, FUN, COMMITTED
These personal qualities together with our core values and company charter form the basis of the Advance TRS DNA we look for in every new recruit.
Meet the Team
Andy Ridout
Group Managing Director & Founder – Advance TRS Group
Paul Metcalfe
Non-Executive Director – Advance TRS Group
Carolyn Kaye
Financial Director – Advance TRS Group
Michael Schruyers
Director
Ella Gilbody
Marketing & Development Director
Sam Jennings
Rail & Infrastructure Director
Rob Kelly
Water & Infrastructure Director
Stuart Minchin
Director
At Advance TRS the people care about what they do and the company values permeate through the entire team. It’s great to work with such great people and the incentives are always so much fun. It’s a really exciting company to be part of.
Lauren, Health & Safety Manager at Advance TRS
Insights
Top 5 In-demand Engineering Skills for 2025: What Employers are Looking For
18th September 2024
As we slowly but surely approach the end of 2024, the engineering landscape is continuing to evolve rapidly, driven by advancements in technology, increasing sustainability goals, and the ongoing need for innovation. Employers are on […]
Culture & Core Values – Joining a Values-Driven Team at Advance TRS
17th September 2024
At Advance TRS, our values aren’t just guidelines – we believe in them, and we recognise each of them in the way we act both with each other and with those we support. Building Trust […]
Advance TRS Company Charter
17th September 2024
At Advance TRS, our company charter embodies the core values and principles that guide us in everything we do. These values are not just statements but principles we live by, shaping our interactions and operations. […]
