What Makes SLS Different from Other Agencies? 

One of the key things that sets SLS apart is the personal connection between management and their workers. In this blog we hear from Contracts Manager’s Sonny and Ricky who were once groundworkers themselves for SLS, on what it’s really like working for the company and why there are no other agencies doing similar. 

SLS is not run like a typical recruitment agency – we operate like a close-knit team, making sure that every worker on-site is not just reliable but also supported. “I personally know our guys, I’ve either worked with them first-hand or they’ve come through a strong recommendation.” says Ricky. 

A lot of agencies will send workers to site without ever meeting them in person, or they skip the proper vetting process. That leads to unqualified and unreliable people being placed on-site, which causes all sorts of problems. “I had a client recently who had to let go of fifteen workers from another agency because they were no good. In contrast, we only had to let go of two men in the whole year. That’s because we know the industry through hands on experience, we know how to spot quality workers and we keep our ear to the ground. We’d rather say no to a client than send workers who are not up to scratch – it’s all about trust and doing the job right.” says Ricky. 

How Does a Contract Manager Plan Their Week? 

As Contracts Managers, Ricky and Sonny’s week starts the moment a client confirms a project is coming up. “My first step is to visit the site and meet the client. I’ll walk around to get a feel for what the job requires, which sometimes helps them too because we spot things they might not have thought of. I understand the specifics because I’ve got hands-on experience in civil works, from highways and housing to rail and sea defences. But it helps us make sure that the right workers with the right skills and paperwork are assigned to the job.” says Ricky. 

Either Ricky or Sonny will then go out to each site to check in with both the workers and the clients. “If the lads need our support, we’re there to help, we’re all people after all. That’s the difference with us – we’re hands-on, and we don’t manage from a desk. This management style is what makes SLS stand out from other agencies.” Says Sonny. 

Why Some Clients Are Anti-Agency 

We hear it all the time – clients are often wary of using recruitment agencies because they’ve been burned in the past. They’ve dealt with unreliable workers or agencies that don’t properly vet the people they send. That gives agencies a bad reputation, and clients are left to deal with the fallout when workers don’t perform, which delays projects and costs money. 

But that’s where we’re different. We’ve built long-term relationships with many of our clients because we consistently provide skilled workers, and when issues come up, we deal with them quickly. Nearly all our clients have used us for years. 

Why Investing in Good Workers is Important. 

At SLS, we specialise in groundworks, and Sonny has been doing this since he was 16. There isn’t much in this industry he hasn’t come across – from steel fixing to sub-stations and roadworks. “That level of experience means we know exactly what each project needs, and if a good worker in our team hasn’t got the right certification yet we will sort that for him. We invest in good people. When we identify a reliable worker, we train them to expand their skills so they can take on more varied jobs.” says Sonny. This investment is why our workers stay with us for years, and their skills keep improving over time. 

“One thing that keeps our workers loyal is the variety of work we offer. Instead of doing the same thing for years with one company, our guys move between different projects, which keeps things fresh and interesting. That’s important because doing the same job day in and day out can get tedious, and that’s when you lose good workers.” says Sonny. 

Every project we take on is done to the highest quality standards. We’re always on the move, sometimes traveling over 400 miles a week to visit sites. We don’t manage from the office – we’re out on the road, making sure everything is going smoothly. This hands-on approach and our commitment to our workers and clients have earned us respect and loyalty from both sides.  

If we can help you with any civil engineering project, don’t hesitate to get in touch, we’re always at the end of the phone 023 9265 2138. 

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