• A new targeted recruitment campaign, Find Your Path, has launched to tackle critical workforce shortages in local authorities. The initiative is focused on attracting young people aged 18 to 27 to essential local government roles, particularly within place services such as highways, waste management, green spaces and public access. Developed in partnership with key industry bodies, including the Department for Transport (DfT) and the Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning & Transport (ADEPT), the campaign directly responds to pressing skills gaps and high vacancy rates across the sector.

The eight-week pilot, created by Eleven Agency, will run in five local authority areas – Barnsley, Hounslow, Oxfordshire, Plymouth and South Gloucestershire, deploying recruitment strategies to showcase career opportunities. A social media push on TikTok, Meta and YouTube, alongside a website featuring live vacancies, aims to engage young talent and shift perceptions of local government careers.

Research by ADEPT’s Future Highways Research Group (FHRG) highlights the urgency of this initiative, revealing that only 11% of local authority staff are under 30, with a significant need for greater diversity and expertise in environmental and technological fields. By addressing these challenges, Find Your Path aims to build a future workforce capable of sustaining vital public services and driving innovation across local government.

• The Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo) has expanded its reach across South-East Asia, with the launch of APSCo in Malaysia. Announced at an event hosted at the British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (BMCC) in Kuala Lumpur, it included presentations from APSCo trusted partner Rajah & Tann, one of South-East Asia’s law firms, on key regulatory compliance that staffing firms need to be aware of.

• Harrison Bridge, a Solihull-based executive recruitment firm specialising in the energy sector, has relocated to Blythe Valley Innovation Centre to support its growth amid rising demand for senior talent. The Innovation Centre’s flexible leasing and growth-friendly environment will enable Harrison Bridge to scale its operations effectively. The firm says it is planning to expand its team to meet the surge in demand.