The South West of England is often also colloquially known as the 'West Country' and broadly comprises the counties of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire. Covering a vast region of the country, the South West is actually only home to about 5 million people, making it one of the least densely populated regions of England. The area is known for it's stunning coastline, rolling hills, cream teas, and beautiful countryside, all of which combines to make it a desirable place to live.
Despite the rolling hills and patchwork fields, agriculture only accounts for 2% of all employment in the region, although dairy farming still remains very important in parts of Devon and Dorset. The region's economy relies heavily on the economic output of the region's largest city of Bristol which accounts for roughly a quarter of the area's economy. Both the universities in the city are large employers, as are local NHS trusts, Airbus UK, Rolls Royce, and BAE Systems all of which are based out of Bristol and are responsible for significant staff numbers.
Elsewhere the Eden Project, GCHQ, HP, Indesit, and the Environment Agency are major employers. As with the rest of the country, service industries dominate employment at 69.9%, but manufacturing also accounts for 9% of all employment. Utilising the expertise of specialist recruitment agencies will increase the likelihood of success in any job search in the South West as, for the most part potential employers will advertise for staff through such recruitment agencies.
AgencyCentral lists 69 popular industries and categorise recruitment agencies based on what they cover, so you can easily and quickly find the ones which are most helpful to you.
Adecco provides support to candidates and employers on a temporary, permanent or contract basis; they recruit for a multitude of roles across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
20 Cathedral Yard, 1st Floor, Exeter, Devon, EX1 1HB
+ 57 other offices
Five Education is a recruitment agency based in Bristol that specialises in SEND staffing. They work with primary, secondary, special schools, nurseries, residential/care, further education, and more. They recruit and place LSAs/ TAs, HLTAs, Teachers, Cover Supervisors, SENCOs and Senior Leadership positions. The agency offers its services to Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Somerset, Bath and North East Somerset (BANES), and more.
Whitefriars, Lewins Mead, Bristol, Avon, BS1 2NT
Helping Hand is a recruitment specialist that supplies workforce solutions to companies within the Finance sector. The agency is GLAA licensed and a member of ALP, Stronger Together, and NACFB. Based in Penzance, they provide assistance with invoice financing, invoice insurance, payroll and portal solutions, documentation and compliance, and credit control.
46 Causewayhead, Penzance, Cornwall, TR18 2SS
Softweb Resourcing is a Software and Web recruitment consultancy. They work with a variety of organisations, spanning from startups to FTSE 250 institutions. This APSCo member covers various development jobs such as .NET, C / C++, Data, Embedded, Front-End, Java, Mobile, and Open Source. Some of the vacancies they will typically fill are Software Developers, Research Engineer, QA Software Tester, and Mobile App Developer.
1.9 Temple Studios, Temple Gate, Bristol, Avon, BS1 6QA
Affinity Care is an expert in Healthcare recruitment. They work to meet requirements across Bristol and the surrounding areas. Some jobs they will recruit for are Care Assistants and Registered Nurses. They also offer free mandatory training to their candidates.
17-18 Berkeley Sq, Bristol, Avon, BS8 1HB
GBRS UK places Construction professionals in various businesses nationwide. With over 20 years of recruitment experience, they recruit full-time, part-time, and temporary candidates. GBRS UK works with a diverse range of clients, from small and medium companies, to sole traders and PLCs.
211 Milton Road, Weston-super-mare, Avon, BS22 8EG
Archers Recruitment handles a wide range of roles within the Industrial, Commercial, Engineering, and Education sectors. Based in Swindon, they recruit for jobs such as Warehouse Administrator, Forklift Driver, Data Entry, Production Team Leader, and Customer Service Associate. Their candidates undergo a number of skills test to ensure proficiency. They are also members of the REC and FSB.
Integer Park North Cricklade, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN6 6HA
Resolve Recruitment Services is a national staffing agency based in Bristol that provides permanent and temporary recruitment solutions to the Sales, Office Support, Driving & Industrial industries. Founded in 2014, the agency covers various roles such as Class 2 Driver, Warehouse Operative, Forklift Operative, Transport Supervisor, Sales Executive, and Administrative Coordinator.
92 Shirehampton Road, Bristol, Avon, BS9 2DR
Barton Search - Recruitment to Recruitment services across London, home counties, and East and West Midlands We have the know-how you need! With over 8 years experience of supporting recruiters in their first or next move and we know what it takes to make the first step. Our services include a confidential and relevant matching service, candid advice about salary averages and commission structures, and most importantly market insight.
19 Oxford Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH8 8SG
Bond Williams is a recruitment agency which serves both job seekers and companies in the Accounting & Finance, IT, Office, Commercial, HR, Engineering and Science sectors. Established in 2004, they find professionals that can fill in temporary, interim and permanent roles such as Payroll Administrator, Laboratory Technician and Performance Control Analyst. The agency operates from their offices in Bournemouth, Southampton and Oxford.
203 Oxford Point, 10 Oxford Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH8 8GS
+ 3 other offices
g2 Recruitment Solutions are experts in filling contract, temporary, and permanent roles in a wide range of industries across the UK, USA, and Europe. Since 2004, they have been offering staffing support in the Construction, Energy, Engineering, Life Sciences, Public Sector, and Technology industries. They recruit from their 10 branches located in Bristol, London, and Oslo. g2 Recruitment is included in the The Recruiter Hot 100 list.
2 Kingsway, Cardiff, South Glamorgan, CF10 3FD
+ 6 other offices
Established in 1993, Bewley Recruitment works alongside clients in the Financial and Legal sectors. Bewley Recruitment hires professionals nationwide from their offices based in London.
49 Park Street, Bristol, Avon, BS1 5NT
Proactive People Recruitment is an independently-owned multi-sector staffing agency that has over 20 years of experience in filling permanent, temporary and contract roles. The agency offers replacements and rebate schemes for permanent placements, and they also provide candidate selection, HR, assessment, training and wellbeing services.
2nd Floor, 33 Portland Square, Bristol, Avon, BS2 8RG
Jambo Recruitment is a specialist agency for the education market. The business was founded in 2012 and is run by a management team with more than three decades of experience within the sector. They work with compulsory and further education organisations across the UK and internationally - covering permanent, temporary and contract requirements.
Courtleigh House, Lemon Street, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 2PN
Novo Executive Search and Selection is a recruiting company that provides board and senior executives in the private sector, public sector and not for profit organisations. This includes employers in Aerospace, Energy, Engineering, Financial Services, Legal, Manufacturing, Marketing, Sports & Leisure, Technology, and more. The company has offices in Bristol, Birmingham, London, Manchester, Oxford, and Glasgow.
77 Macrae Road Eden Office Park, Bristol, Avon, BS20 0DD
Catering Services International provides roles on a temporary, contract or permanent basis to clients and candidates within the Hospitality industry across the UK and overseas. The agency commenced in 1989 and has offices in Bath (HQ), Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff, Cheltenham, Coventry, London, Oxford, Southampton and Swindon.
56 Baldwin Street, Bristol, Avon, BS1 1QW
+ 10 other offices