Costain implements worldwide online recruitment strategy

Microsoft Business Solutions provider of applications for small and mid-sized businesses, today announced that international engineering and construction group Costain, has implemented Empower Internet Recruitment from Microsoft Business Solutions as part of a comprehensive online recruitment strategy. The deal represents the first use of Microsoft Business Solutions' online recruitment solution, covering Costain's recruitment needs worldwide.

The roll-out of the system is taking place in conjunction with the development of a new careers section on The Costain website. The system supplies additional website capability in order to provide a one-stop shop for job applicants. For instance, job applicants can review all the current vacancies at Costain and access detailed job profiles for those jobs they are interested in. They can also apply online. The online application form is designed to be user friendly, so all candidates need to do is fill in their basic details and attach their CV. Candidates can then track the progress of their application by simply visiting the website and putting in their details.

Costain estimates that the system can save around 50 days a year in data entry. Costain's Recruitment and Retention Manager, Jeremy Galpin explains, The objective of implementing the solution provided by Microsoft Business Solutions is to dramatically improve the recruitment process as the Group drives for major profitable growth. We plan to reduce dependence on recruitment agencies by building the Costain website as a first stop for candidates who can then apply online through the use of the Internet Recruitment module from Microsoft Business Solutions.
The new careers section of the Costain website includes details of 'positions available' and 'projects now recruiting' such as the exciting new 60M Diamond Sychrotron building for Diamond Light Source Ltd. in Oxford and the recently awarded 38M A34 Chieveley/M4 Junction 13 improvement. Vacancies can range from Business Development Manager for the Wales and South West Region through to a Supply Chain Manager and Relationship Manager roles based in Maidenhead.

Jeremy Galpin continues, A website is a perfect way to address different audiences across the whole of the UK. As Costain's recruitment drive expands internationally as well, the website will increasingly become a key element of all our recruitment activity. Costain are continuing to build on an ongoing recruitment drive that will see us recruit around 400 people by 2006.

Microsoft Business Solutions UK HR & Payroll General Manager Joseph Young said 'We are delighted to be working with one of the leading construction companies and that Costain have been sufficiently forward thinking to be the first major PLC to put into action our online recruitment solution. Online recruitment means that companies can streamline and standardise their hiring process, helping to ensure every applicant is treated equitably and the process is kept efficient. We have worked hard with Costain to produce a system that is robust and simple to use and delivers considerable efficiencies for both Costain and its potential applicants.

Costain uses Microsoft Business Solutions' Empower - including the following modules; Empower Personnel, Empower Recruitment, Empower Training and Internet Recruitment.