UK recruitment agency sets up shop in Pretoria

Just days after the South African government raised concerns
about essential health, education and care professionals being lost
to the UK, a social worker recruitment agency has opened an office
in Pretoria, to meet growing UK demands.

Recruitment Solutions Group (RSG), parent company of Social Work
Solutions, has set up an office with three staff to recruit South
African social workers to fill UK vacancies.

Last month South Africa’s minister for social development Dr
Zola Skweyiya told delegates at Community Care Live that
it was “regrettable” that his country was losing key personnel
(News, page 8, 31 May).

He urged those working in health and social care in the UK to
resist the temptation to see South Africa as a recruitment pool.
“One way and another we are being robbed of our talent and their
caring skills,” he said.

RSG marketing manager Paul Carnera admitted to Community
Care that recruitment was at times to the detriment of foreign
countries. The company has recruiting agents in Canada, New Zealand
and Australia as well as South Africa.

“It’s not good for the country, but it is good for the
individuals,” he said. “We’re a UK agency I’m afraid, and that’s
what our business is. We have a responsibility to our clients in
the UK.”

However, he added that the experience, knowledge and career
development workers received while in the UK helped them on return
to their countries.

RSG managing director Jeff Downey added: “There is real value to
South Africa in its young professionals returning to their country
having experienced the diversity of the UK workplace.”