With most of the UK workforce on a well-earned Christmas break, the REC has paid tribute to the temporary, contract and interim staff who deliver crucial services during the holiday period. The REC has also underlined the need to recognise the thousands of recruitment professionals who will also be on call 24/7 over Christmas to ensure that flexible workers are placed in crucial front line roles.

The latest ‘Jobs Outlook’ from the REC Industry Research Unit (IRU) confirmed an increasing demand for flexible staff to meet seasonal demand and provide cover. Commenting on the role of the industry during the holiday period, REC Chief Executive Kevin Green says:

"Whilst many of us have downed tools, thousand of key workers and recruitment professionals are hard at work. Temporary, contract and locum staff as well as interim managers provide crucial front line services and keep Britain working over Christmas. At the same time, recruitment professionals play a pivotal role in responding quickly and efficiently to the demand for often highly-skilled staff in sectors such as healthcare, transport, care, logistics and technology".

Increasing recognition for the crucial role that recruiters play was one of the key reasons for the REC’s launch in 2009 of the Institute of Recruitment Professionals (IRP). Commenting on the need to continue raising awareness and recognition for the industry Kevin Green continued:

"2009 has been a difficult time for most recruiters, although we have seen a few encouraging signs over the last few months. As the UK economy slowly moves out of recession in 2010, providers of both temporary and permanent recruitment services will play a pivotal role in helping job seekers into work and helping UK businesses staff up. REC will remain on the front foot in actively promoting the contribution that recruitment professionals make to the UK economy and labour market at all times of the year".