Call made for recruitment regulation

Recruitment agency Collins McNicholas called for increased regulation and legislation and a drastic improvement in standards in the recruitment sector following the disappearance of almost 250 recruitment agencies in the space of just 12 months.

"There is a need for regulation and legislation in the recruitment sector. At present, anyone can open their own agency regardless of their level of training and expertise," said Colman Collins, joint Managing Director of Collins McNicholas.

"You just have to prove that you don’t have a criminal record and that your premises meet the required health and safety standards. I think you should have to have far stronger credentials than that to operate in a sector where you are advising clients on whether or not a candidate makes a good employee or not.

"This is of particular concern where candidates are being placed in positions of trust or where particular skills or attributes are required."