• Client: Office for National Statistics (ONS)
• Industry: Public Sector
• Employees: 5000+

Summary of work

Concept has been a partner of the ONS for 8 years, across a full range of DDaT recruitment support and specialist recruitment services. 

As well as supporting on various capabilities of the DDaT framework, Concept’s main remit delivers on graduate requirements. The majority of Concept’s placements are within the Data capability, but we have also offered solutions in various other areas.

The Client

In 2021, the Government Digital Service embarked on a 3-year strategy to scale digital growth across the UK Central Government. This was to be achieved by identifying common needs for products, platforms, and services and then building centrally to support and build these services, rather than carrying out the work at an individual department level.

Resource Required

• Data Analysts
• Data Scientists
• Statistical Analysts/Officers
• Economic Researchers/Officers
• Research Officers

Our Approach

The first priority was establishing a pool of candidates in South Wales and Hampshire. Throughout the year, the candidate consultant spoke to students close to graduation that were either graduating in or lived within a close radius.

As the campaigns for graduates were usually catered to bringing in anywhere from 10-15 candidates at a time, this process allowed us to have candidates ready to be submitted to allow a quick turnaround once the requirements had gone live. 

Concept work closely with Cardiff and Southampton University who had a large number of students graduating in the relevant fields, to offer a pathway into government roles through our contracting plan and have had success with candidates finishing relevant degrees from both of these universities in particular.

The account manager kept regular contact with key stakeholders involved to ensure that all framework compliance and continued performances were being met. This also allowed us to determine the pipeline the ONS had planned, and which professions to set as a priority for our candidate consultant to keep in touch with through the year.

Solution

Our agreement stated the ONS would hire any successful candidate onto an initial 6-month contract through the NCS framework, with the option to extend for a further 6 month contract. Any highly accomplished candidates were transferred to a permanent position without charge. 

As well as the graduate campaigns Concept have also supported as a supplier of mid-level and senior roles within the wider DDaT capability.

After working across multiple business areas, Concept included an additional candidate consultant to the account to help deliver on extra requirements. Over 12 months, our campaigns have consisted of 15 positions per profession, with SLA presenting 3x CVs per position, which Concept have consistently met.

Monthly on-site visits accompanied with regular meetings with a range of stakeholders, including hiring managers/directors allowed us to gain invaluable insights into the working culture, environment, and priorities of the ONS.

Outcome

As a result of the continuous pooling of candidates across the year, we delivered large campaigns efficiently and promptly. At any point additional resource was required, we easily accessed resource from our Public Sector team as well as our wider contract technology team to support when needed.

“Concept has been proactive in maintaining a detailed understanding of our needs and has always delivered to a very high standard – determined to meet our needs. I cannot commend the service that Concept has provided to me and my team highly enough.”

Deputy Director

ONS