App matches short-term staff and jobs
SUMOSHIFT, a member of the Wesley Clover stable of companies, has launched a software platform that provides an instant channel of communication between employers and flexible workers seeking short-term employment opportunities.
The software allows employers to advertise work opportunities, which are notified via SumoShift’s smartphone app to its community of enrolled workers. Workers respond by indicating their availability to fill a shift. The automation of the recruitment process has led to productivity improvements, with potential savings of up to 40% compared with traditional methods.
The temporary recruitment industry has experienced significant growth over the past decade. The Recruitment and Employment Confederation, the industry trade body, has estimated the value to the UK economy of temporary employment activities to be in excess of £25bn. Labour market experts, such as the Work Foundation, anticipate this trend continuing over the medium term.
SumoShift is headquartered at the Wesley Clover Innovation Centre in Newport. It embarked on a trial, working with businesses throughout south Wales. The successful outcome led to the decision to undertake a commercial launch now.
Commenting on the launch, Chris Earnshaw of SumoShift said: “For several months we have been conducting a trial to finesse the technology and business model across south Wales. We have been fortunate to work with a range of businesses of all sizes. The results of the trial have exceeded my own expectations. We are launching now because our clients are keen to access our services.”
The platform has proven particularly attractive to hospitality and leisure businesses, with the Celtic Manor Resort being one of the early adopters.
Ian Edwards, chief executive of the resort, said: “Like many businesses in our industry, from time to time we experience the need to increase our casual labour force. We tested the SumoShift platform. It offers the very best in new technology and has proven an attractive business model. The fact it is a local company gives me the reassurance of SumoShift’s ability to provide a first-rate service.”
With the Welsh Government, former Admiral finance director Andrew Probert, the Waterloo Foundation and Wesley Clover among its shareholders, the company has strong local links. It has also benefited from the support of members of Wesley Clover’s management team.
Brett Seagrave, executive head chef at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena, is another user of SumoShift.
He said: “Motorpoint has used SumoShift for months. We’ve used it to help manage our staffing. The fact the company has people who are versed in our industry gives us peace of mind. It’s also great to see such an innovative product come out of south Wales.”
As a former member of the Alacrity Foundation’s Graduate Entrepreneurship Programme based in Newport, SumoShift will have access to the foundation’s global operations. These extend over four continents, with a presence in Canada, China, France, India, Mexico, Singapore and Turkey.