X
I’M A JOBSEEKER I’M AN EMPLOYER Profile
Profile

The UK’s drinks industry is thriving, and working within it can be very rewarding. As existing distilleries and bottling halls grow and new ones open their doors, enthusiastic and reliable people are being welcomed into the sector. The industry offers fantastic scope for career progression, and great opportunities for networking. However, roles within the drinks industry, just like all other sectors, do come with their challenges.

It’s important to have support in place for emergency situations that may affect your working life. We’d like to share information on how to access aid for those working within the drinks industry.

Connect Appointments is proud to work with the BEN – the Scottish drinks industry charity.

Who is the BEN?

Under various names, the BEN has been in operation since 1964. The charity is led by 10 directors from different areas of the sector who work throughout Scotland. They volunteer to help raise funds, manage the charity, and support the delivery of services for their beneficiaries.

It’s their goal to assist people of all ages who have worked within the licensed trade for at least three years on a full-time basis. It offers financial, social, and emotional support to those who need it.

Connect Appointments have subscribed to the Society’s funds, and as a result, hold a Bronze Membership with the BEN.

How do they help?

Workers within the drinks industry like Bottling Hall Operatives, Forklift Drivers, and Production/Warehouse Operators can apply to the BEN for help in times of need. The charity provides its beneficiaries with discretionary financial support or one-off grants for emergency situations, for example:

HIT Scotland

The BEN also provides scholarships through HIT Scotland. HIT (Hospitality Industry Trust) Scotland is a charity that was first established in 1994 that aims to support those working and studying in the hospitality industry in Scotland. They offer a tailored learning experience for those within the industry to broaden their skills and experience.

Scholarships provided by the BEN and HIT Scotland have aided workers within the drinks industry to learn new skills and gain experience within the sector, enabling them to develop their skills and careers.

The BEN asks those who have taken advantage of the scholarships in turn show support back to the drinks industry; this can be achieved by speaking at events, helping provide staff or food and drink to events, mentoring potential scholars, or providing prizes for auctions and raffles.

Pop and Prosecco!

In May of this year, the BEN hosted a fabulous Pop and Prosecco night, and the Connect team attended along with some of our clients to celebrate the women working within the drinks industry.

We enjoyed dinner, drinks, and some dancing together at Oran Mor in Glasgow’s West End, but most importantly, we helped raise funds to continue supporting workers within the sector.

It was a brilliant night, and we were excited to be contributing to the BEN’s mission, as well as getting the chance to network with women within the industry.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C66FcK9ozIR/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

We are delighted to announce that Connect Appointments has secured the contract to supply temporary staff at Russell Contract Packing, Hillington. As the primary supplier, Connect Appointments is committed to delivering an efficient, high-volume staffing solution to meet the increasing demand for Russell’s Contract Packing services.

Founded in 1969, Russell Logistics has evolved from humble beginnings into an industry leader in logistics, offering an extensive range of services to some of the largest companies in the UK and beyond. Their contract packing solutions encompass services such as carton assembly, luxury gift packaging, and spirit decanting.

Craig Gibb, Operations Manager at Russell Contract Packing said:

“We are delighted to partner with Connect Appointments. Their vision and dedication aligns perfectly with our own, supporting our values of trust, reliability and service excellence.”

This partnership is built on a shared commitment to exceptional customer service. Russell Contract Packing’s dedication to meeting client needs aligns perfectly with Connect Appointments’ mission to deliver tailored recruitment solutions. With roots stretching back to the 1960s, Connect Appointments has firmly established itself as a major player in the UK recruitment industry, supplying thousands of temporary, permanent, and contract workers from its eight strategically located branches.

“We are thrilled to be working with Russell Contract Packing,” said William Sim, Managing Director of Connect Appointments. “We pride ourselves on delivering bespoke staffing solutions that meet the unique needs of our clients. Our focus on providing quality, reliable high-volume staffing supports Russell Contract Packing in continuing to thrive in their industry. This relationship highlights our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.”

To find out how Connect Appointments can support you, get in touch or inquire now!

Connect Driver Solutions (CDS) has established itself as a specialist recruitment agency within the driving and transport industry. In a field traditionally dominated by men, we had the opportunity to speak to Shannon Murray, Operations Manager for CDS England, who’s carved a niche for herself in the industry.

Early Beginnings

Shannon’s passion for the industry was ignited early on, as she “enjoyed the process of learning a new industry, and just how important it was to everyday life”. Despite the male-dominated nature of the field, she was undeterred.

Climbing the Ranks at CDS

Joining Connect in 2017, Shannon quickly rose through the ranks, from Recruitment Consultant to Ops Manager. Her typical day involves a variety of tasks, from client and driver contact to payroll and new business acquisition. “No one day is the same in this office,” she remarks, reflecting her love for the dynamic nature of her role.

Gender Diversity

The driving and transport industry has seen positive changes in gender diversity, a trend Shannon supports. “There are some fantastic women in the industry …. with a lot more women coming into driving, and working within a variety of roles,” she observes. Her advice to women entering the field? “It’s a great industry to get in to, and with a growing number of opportunities available, the driving sector can take you in direction.”

What Sets CDS Apart

“CDS’s edge lies in its honest and transparent approach, both with clients and candidates”, Shannon states. We’re a national company, but with the attentiveness of a local supplier, committed to going the extra mile. From payroll services and response management, to on-boarding, pre-employment screening, skills testing and more: Connect Driver Solutions will be at the heart of your recruitment process, meaning you have time to focus on other aspects of your business.

Shannon’s story is an example of how dedication and expertise drive the success of Connect Driver Solutions. As she continues to lead CDS England with passion. Her journey highlights the commitment and resilience that define CDS as specialist recruiters for the driving and transport industry.

Interested in learning more about Connect Driver Solutions or exploring current opportunities? Shannon and her team are here to help you navigate the industry with confidence and success.

0191 731 4800

info@connectdriversolutions.co.uk

UK businesses facing weekly staff shortages due to recruitment and absence challenges, with a staggering one-third finding themselves short-staffed on a weekly basis, according to recent research.

Key Findings:

 

How Can Connect Appointments Help?

At Connect Appointments, we understand the importance of maintaining a reliable workforce, which is why we’re here to offer our expertise in staffing recruitment to help your business thrive.

 

Take Action Today!

Don’t let labour shortages hinder your business operations. Contact Connect Appointments today to learn more about how we can support your staffing needs and help you overcome recruitment challenges.

Connect Appointments‘ consultants know recruitment inside out. With roots dating back to the 1960s, we at Connect pride ourselves on being one of the best independent recruitment agencies in Scotland and across the UK.

Here at Connect our teams specialise in a range of sectors, placing thousands of candidates into temporary, permanent or contract work every week. Whether you have experience in a certain area or you’re keen for a change, our consultants can help you make the move – take a look at our sectors for inspiration.

Manufacturing

The manufacturing division at Connect is one of the most interesting, because it covers so many different areas of work – and the clients were working with are constantly growing, meaning big potential for regular shifts or even permanent work. We recruit for manufacturing talent in component assembly, electronics, food production, packaging, plastics, textiles, metal fabrication and more.

Packaging

We work with some major packaging companies across the UK, and we’re always looking for production operators, technical operators and shift managers, as well as printers and designers.

Executive and Management

We recruit for professionals in HR, marketing and accountancy, for a range of smaller and larger firms. We often headhunt for these roles, but if you have the skills and a career change, contact your nearest Connect branch now.

Contact Centre

Call and contact centres are at the heart of many businesses, whether they are handling customer enquiries, complaints or offering advice. We recruit for service specialists, sales advisors, team leaders, operation managers, team coaches and more.

Drinks Industry

Scotland’s drink industry is on the up – and we’ve placed a huge number of workers in distilleries and bottling halls across Scotland, as general operators, machine operators, engineers, quality controllers, forklift truck drivers and in spirit prep and processing. This is a great line of work to get into, offering the opportunity to develop and use transferable skills.

Electronics

Working in electronics for over 30 years, our consultants have extensive knowledge of the standards set by the military, medical, space, telecoms and marine sectors, as well as other electrical product manufacturers. We recruit for a range of roles, including test development engineers, software developers, project managers and maintenance engineers.

Engineering and Technical

We’ve got close links to businesses in manufacturing, oil and gas, and power and energy, so engineers are a core part of our business. From mechanical to gas turbine engineers, test to CNC engineers, if you’ve got the skills, we could have a job for you.

Driving and Transport

Connect Appointments’ sister company, Connect Driver Solutions, launched in 2015 to help workers get into the exciting, ever moving world of transport jobs. From HGV drivers to multi-drop van drivers, we’ve got something for everyone – and our consultants have worked in the industry themselves, so they know what both our clients and candidates want and need.

Logistics and Distribution

The production line is vital to many businesses and our clients need reliable staff. Transport administrators, supply chain managers and warehouse order pickers are just some of the logistics and distribution roles we recruit for.

Office and Commercial

Office and commercial staff are essential for any business, making sure the company runs smoothly – and it can cover a wide range of different industries. We are experienced in finding talented receptionists, administration assistants, personal assistants and data entry clerks, for our clients across a range of sectors.

Sales

From recruitment to advertising sales, we have close working relationships with employers across the UK, offering great opportunities for those with sales know-how. If you are a people person who loves a challenge, sales are a great line of work to get into.

 

Looking for staff?

If you’ve got your own business, or work for an organisation and you’re in charge of recruitment, our staff can help you. We’ve got a bank of CVs on file in all of the areas above – and more! Call your nearest Connect branch and we will find the best person for you to speak to.

Recruitment is a fast-paced, dynamic industry that offers plenty of opportunities for growth and development. Whether you’re just starting your career or looking for a change, working in recruitment can be an exciting and rewarding experience. In this guide, we’ll cover how to get started and the key reasons why you should consider a career in recruitment.

Helping people find jobs

One of the most satisfying aspects of working in recruitment is helping people find a job. By connecting talented candidates with top employers, you can make a real difference in people’s lives. This sense of fulfillment is a major reason why many recruiters (and especially for us) stay in the industry for years.

Build strong relationships

Recruitment is a relationship-driven industry, and building strong connections with both clients and candidates is essential. As a recruiter, you’ll have the opportunity to work closely with people from a wide range of backgrounds and industries. This can help you develop strong interpersonal skills and build a valuable professional network.

Opportunities for Advancement

Recruitment is a highly competitive industry, and recruiters who perform well are often rewarded with opportunities for advancement. This can include promotions to team leader or management roles, as well as the chance to work with high-profile clients and candidates.

Training and Development

To succeed in recruitment, you need to be constantly learning and developing your skills. Many recruitment firms offer comprehensive training programs and professional development opportunities to help their employees stay ahead of the curve. This can include workshops, seminars, and mentoring programs.

Flexibility and Autonomy

Recruitment is a results-driven industry, and as long as you’re meeting your targets, you’ll have a great deal of flexibility and autonomy in your work. This can include setting your own schedule, working from home, and the ability to manage your own workload.

Competitive Salaries and Benefits

Recruitment can be a highly lucrative industry, with many recruiters earning six-figure salaries. In addition to competitive base salaries, many recruitment firms offer generous commission structures and bonuses. Many firms also offer comprehensive benefits packages, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.

Working in recruitment can be an exciting and rewarding career choice, offering opportunities for growth, development, and financial success. Whether you’re passionate about helping people find their dream jobs, building strong relationships, or developing your skills, the recruitment industry offers a wide range of opportunities to suit your interests and goals.

Want to learn how to get started in recruitment and if it’s right for you by visiting the National Careers Service.