Newport-based recruitment firm Acorn has created a new, specialist social housing division in response to the increasing demand of its construction sector clients.

Acorn will help address the growing staffing needs across the sector, and by working in partnership with housing associations directly, help to support communities across Wales and the South West of England.

The UK recruiter will work to open-up new opportunities for those living and working in the sector – which will be headed up by social housing recruitment specialist Jack Williams.

Jack said: “Here at Acorn we’re fully aware of the how closely housing associations engage with their tenants and communities, and in looking to support them further with this, we aim to add value in a number of ways; as well as helping them recruit the best people.

“Our aim ultimately is to support the social housing sector to support itself - it’s about not only helping out at a business level but also on a social level too.”

A niche but vibrant market, it has been well documented that there is a candidate shortage within the social housing development sector, with skills and leadership identified as limiting factors to achieving overall recruitment targets.

By contrast, a target of 75,000 affordable homes are to be regenerated or developed in Wales by 2036 amid reports which suggest housing and homelessness are both coming into the top five priorities for development regionally.

Acorn will be looking to collaborate closely with housing associations not only with recruitment solutions, but also to provide help and support to their tenants looking to get into work, such as advising on employability skills, CV seminars, through to signposting towards one of its own construction training initiatives.

Experienced recruitment consultant Jack Williams will lead the newly founded department for Acorn as he looks to engage closely with tenants and surrounding communities regionally for the benefit of all.

Initial moves to boost numbers entering the jobs market in South Wales and the South West will then be followed by wider outreach across the UK.

Jack said: “There will be real opportunities for those within the sector as job-seeking tenants; for example, for women keen to follow a career in construction or indeed for anyone else simply keen to develop and progress within the field.

“The team at Acorn has a very different way of recruiting; they are far more interested in their social responsibilities and the opportunities they can create in a way that I have not experienced before, and I’m truly thrilled to be joining Acorn at the start of this exciting development.”

CV workshops, women in construction and other community focused events will take place alongside more traditional recruiting methods as part of Acorn’s wider CSR focused recruitment strategy.

Acorn’s Director of Operations, Marc Jones, added “Acorn is well-known among employers and job-seekers for the support it gives different communities across Wales and the South West of England; working to encourage and create access for many people from varied backgrounds into a career in construction-related fields.

“Jack will be key to continue driving these community-focused initiatives forward and we’re delighted to have him on board.”