Building the leadership team and workforce behind rapid growth
We spoke to Jamie, Managing Director at Skills4Group, about the company’s growth journey and how National Skills Agency has helped the business attract the talent needed to support rapid expansion.
Over the past five years, Skills4Group has undergone exceptional growth, expanding from a team of just eight employees to around 150 people. As the organisation continued to grow, enter new sectors and support increasing learner numbers, attracting the right talent became a critical factor in its success.
To support its ambitious growth plans, Skills4Group partnered with National Skills Agency (NSA) to source high-quality talent across leadership, operational and specialist roles. Today, approximately 50% of the leadership team has been recruited through NSA, helping the organisation scale its operations and support around 2,500 learners across Pharmacy, Science, Dental and Housing.
The challenge
Skills4Group’s rapid expansion created a significant demand for talent across the business.
In the last 12 months alone, the organisation hired more than 100 people, often managing between 20 and 25 live vacancies at any one time. As the business entered new markets and broadened its provision, it needed experienced professionals who could strengthen leadership, build operational capability and support sustained growth.
Alongside recruitment, Skills4Group also required support with workforce planning, role mapping and salary banding to ensure the business could scale effectively.
“We’re a growing business that needs good people. As we’ve expanded into new sectors and continued to scale, having the right talent in place has been absolutely critical.”
The Solution
National Skills Agency became a trusted recruitment partner, working closely with Skills4Group to identify and attract talent across a range of business-critical positions.
Key appointments included:
- Operations Director
- Head of Compliance and People
- Operational leadership roles
- Business development professionals
- Specialist hires across emerging sectors
The partnership has had a significant impact at a leadership level, with over 50% of Skills4Group’s senior leadership team placed by National Skills Agency.
These individuals have become instrumental in driving the day-to-day growth and performance of the business.
“National Skills Agency has helped us acquire the right talent. They’ve consistently placed the right people in the right roles, and those individuals are helping to drive the business forward every day.”
The Results
Scaling a High-Growth Business
With National Skills Agency’s support, Skills4Group has continued its impressive growth journey, strengthening both its leadership team and operational workforce.
Key Outcomes
- Growth from 8 employees to 150 employees in under five years
- More than 100 hires made in the last 12 months
- Over 50% of the leadership team recruited through NSA
- Expansion into multiple sector areas
- Increased operational and business development capacity to support business growth
Expanding Learner Provision
The growth of the team has directly enabled Skills4Group to extend its reach and impact.
Today, the organisation supports approximately 2,500 learners across multiple sectors, with the capacity to continue expanding its provision in line with demand.
“The people we’ve brought into the business have helped us support around 2,500 learners. National Skills Agency has supported us to scale across multiple sectors and has been a key part of that journey.”
Looking Ahead
Skills4Group has ambitious plans for the future and expects to continue growing significantly in the coming years.
The organisation is targeting a workforce of between 200 and 250 employees, alongside further growth in learner numbers, with National Skills Agency continuing to play a key role in supporting that expansion.
“The sky’s the limit. National Skills Agency has supported our growth so far and will continue to help us reach our future ambitions.”
Why National Skills Agency?
Having worked with National Skills Agency for over three years, Jamie highlights the trust, honesty and understanding that underpin the partnership.
“I’ve known Joe for over three years. They’re always at the end of the phone, they understand what we need, and they’re people you can trust.”
When recruitment challenges arise, NSA remains Skills4Group’s go-to partner.
“Whenever we’re struggling to find the right talent, they always come through. They’re good, honest people, cost-effective, and deliver everything you’d expect from a recruitment service.”