Just a year ago, experienced HR and recruitment specialist Jane Millar spotted a gap in the market – and decided she needed to fill it.
Firms across NI, particularly those within the manufacturing sector, continue to struggle to find the right staff, and many don’t know where to start when trying to navigate the choppy waters of international recruitment.
But Connexus International takes care of the processing and legal responsibilities for the client – sourcing potential candidates, dealing with CVs, visas, the pastoral element and transportation, which can all be monitored through an online portal.
“I saw a huge gap, through speaking to colleagues in the industry – everyone had the same problems,” Jane says.
“There was a market for such a solution, and very few in Northern Ireland doing something similar to this – and I wanted to do it differently.”
She decided to transfer her 25 years of HR experience, the bulk of which was spent working with one of Northern Ireland’s largest manufacturing and engineering businesses, to her own business venture – helping companies here recruit and source top talent from countries across the world.
“I take companies through the entire process and I know what businesses want,” she says. That can be as simple as how they want CVs presented, to further support and dealing with issues post-placement.
And for Jane, the hands on and personal element is key when working with businesses and workers.
Connexus International encompasses three businesses – its international recruitment and role sourcing and placing through Connexus International, local recruitment through Connexus UK, and a range of HR support with Connexus HR.
“We formed the company in June last year and I’m managing director of the business,” Jane says.
The company is also part of a larger business group, which is owned by Fergal McIntyre, which allows Connexus to draw on a host of resources – from marketing and design, to accounts.
“I was a group HR manager for 22 years, and during that time I managed sourcing and bringing in staff from overseas. Prior to Brexit, that was often from Eastern European countries,” Jane says.
“There are a lot of elements to deal with, such as visas and other legal paperwork. During my time we sourced hundreds of staff, and it was equally important to consider the pastoral element in the process.”
Jane says Connexus International works with companies from the very beginning of the process, which may require a number of experienced staff from across a range of roles.
“We work with teams across the world, but particularly in the Philippines, UAE, India and Brazil,” Jane says. “There is also such strong job satisfaction, as we are changing lives – that’s another important part for me.
“It’s extremely important from our perspective to visit each client and meet them in person. This is our opportunity to establish the skills required. We then do a tour of the factory or premises and produce a video. That is then sent to the candidates. For us, it’s all about transparency.
“The candidate will know exactly what sort of workplace they will be joining, for example. We also manage their wage expectation and help them understand their statutory deductions on payslips. It’s important that everyone is happy and well-informed.
“We facilitate the entire process – selection, screening, completion of the visa process, the biometrics, the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam, support with the health exam, help them co-ordinate transport and booking the flights for them.
“We also provide HR support and guidance through the clients journey with their new staff. If there are any issues, we will be there for them.”
Jane was given acknowledgement from the Equality Commission for her previous experience and good practice, and she has also shared her knowledge with other firms – delivering seminars with others who are struggling to attract staff, develop a diverse workforce, or bring in workers from overseas.
Following Brexit, Jane found her senior HR role meant she was coming up against a lack of skilled workers from across a range of disciplines, along with trying to attract and bring in talent from outside the UK and Ireland. It’s something many NI firms, particularly those within manufacturing, continue to struggle with.
“We started with welders and those associated roles, and then it got to the point when getting staff for different skilled roles became difficult,” she said.
“I thought about how to address the skills shortages in areas such as Mid Ulster, Northern Ireland and beyond, and find solutions for companies which are finding it difficult.”
Since forming the company, she’s gone onto work with a range of big name clients from right across the sectors, including agri-food and heavy engineering.
“Roles can include bakers, chefs, engineers, CNC operators, welders, sprayers, or car mechanics, for example. We deal with anything that is in the Skilled Worker list,” Jane says.
Jane says the relationships she’s built up with key partners overseas remain key to her success and ability to bring in top, talented workers.
“It’s very important to work with partners and that the candidates can deal with somebody in their own language,” she says.
The Connexus group also includes Connexus UK, headed by talent acquisition partner Nuala Downey.
“If you require local staff in key roles, we specialise in talent acquisition and use the same boutique approach to ensure the perfect candidate for you role.” Jane says.
The firm is predominantly focused as a specialist recruiter in the Mid Ulster area – one of the hotbeds of manufacturing here.
Connexus UK produces high-quality professional videos for its clients to help market the role and in turn, the employer brand.
And finally, Connexus HR, which offers clients a HR consultancy service. That can either be on the basis of a retainer, or pay-as-you-ago.
Jane says all parts of the business are in growth mode, taking on new businesses and clients and expanding and growing into new market, and is exciting to see what year two brings to the Connexus Group.