Client Case Studies

Network Rail – contract and permanent recruitment services

Company:

Network Rail (NWR) owns and operates the fixed infrastructure assets of the British railway system. With 32,000 employees country wide, Network rail are moving ahead to create a safer, more reliable and more efficient service. The aim for NWR is to grow the railway, meeting the demands and aspirations of rail users and transform Britain’s railway into a world-class infrastructure.

Business Challenge:

Network Rail tendered its IT recruitment services to find partners that could quickly fulfill their resource needs, whilst also being able to work closely with to engage and support their new technologies and processes. A true partnership approach would enable a greater understanding between both parties, subsequently facilitating in the reduction in the time to hire. Network Rail also wanted to reduce its supplier list so that it could focus on fostering partnerships to increase process efficiencies.

Why Spring Technology:

Spring Technology has been NTW’s suppliers of IT recruitment staff since 2004, with an average of 50 contract requirements completed annually. Network rail reinstated Spring Technology as a technology recruitment supplier and included on the permanent list due to achieving a better fill rate than Network Rails other technology recruitment suppliers. The Spring Technology consultants continue to recommend solutions through their thorough understanding of Network Rails business critical needs Spring Technology were able to complete the following:

Contractor Migration	Spring performed a contractor migration programme, transferring contractors from incumbent suppliers was implemented as part of the arrangement.
Hotlists	The Spring Team quickly established and developed a database of potential candidates that possess the relevant skills and experience that Network Rail requires.
Purchase Orders	The Spring team assisted key Network Rail personnel to address the problems that had been experienced with the Purchase Order system. The end-to end process was examined and problems were identified. The team then ensured that suppliers were correctly represented on the system and this resolved many of the problems that were being experienced.
Research	The Spring team assist with Network Rail’s examinations of the candidate market. Upon receipt of specifications, we conduct research into new products and skills that could potentially be of interest to Network Rail and provide availability and cost information.
IT Solutions	Spring supplied Network Rail with a Managed Service team made up of Spring permanent employees. The team consisted of 7 Test Analysts, with a range of experience of test tools, ISEB foundation and V-model processes. This represented a significant cost saving for Network Rail.

Business Benefits:

• Increased consistency in contract terms and conditions
• More aggregated recruitment spend helping to reduce recruitment costs
• Improved measures of supplier performance and heightened supplier responsibility
• Simplified supply chain with Spring as one of two trusted suppliers
• Reduced administration
• Faster response to requirements