Wherever possible, we aim to keep strong teams together, seamlessly moving from one completed project to the other, without relying heavily on the temporary staff which usually make up a vast portion of the industry’s labour force.
Direct labour is something we have implemented to great success at SES, where we currently maintain a significant number of mechanical and electrical operatives on SES’ permanent payroll and this consistency sets us apart.
Committing to a permanent workforce also makes it easier to uphold training programmes that support SES’ employees long-term professional development and justify investing in more apprenticeships. For those starting their career, learning from a consistent group of peers is invaluable and is often cited as a key benefit by trainees.
The key benefits of maintaining a constant workforce are twofold:
Consistency
For clients, having the reassurance they will receive the same excellent service, delivered by the same team, is a key reason they choose to work with us time and time again.
Often, our clients will request certain individuals or teams to work on a new project and the knowledge they bring, as well as a thorough working understanding of that client’s specific needs and vision is invaluable. By keeping teams that work well together, efficiency can be greatly improved by reducing the time spent on-boarding.
Strength
As a business, we’ve recognised the positive impact that maintaining a large direct labour force has on morale and building a strong SES brand. People value the feeling of ‘belonging’ that it brings, working continuously with people they respect, and ensuring the relationships forged on long projects are not put to waste.
We’ve proven that a direct labour approach builds a strong ethos, keeps staff turnover low and allows best practice and knowledge sharing to resonate throughout our business. It is a key differentiator between us and our competition and is something we’re very proud to support.
