- In 2023, job advertisements in environmental sciences increased by 2.57 times compared to 2019. The most prominent disciplines are biomedical, clinical, and health sciences, with 135 and 175 monthly job postings, respectively. (PostAc® and Australian National University)
- There was a 7% increase in newly identified shortage occupations in 2023 compared to 2022, mainly in high-skilled professional roles like Biomedical Engineers. This was due to lower fill rates and fewer qualified applicants per vacancy. Additionally, 29% of occupations faced shortages, with 47% being professional roles in health, engineering, ICT, and science. (Australian Government)
- Australia has recently introduced the Skills in Demand (SID) Visa (subclass 482) to address workforce skill shortages effectively. This initiative invites skilled workers from overseas to support employers when qualified Australian candidates are unavailable.
These recent industry insights illustrate the importance of collaborating with a scientific and technical recruitment agency. These agencies offer advantages that can enhance your hiring process and help your business address talent shortages effectively. Collaborating with a specialist agency can lead to several benefits, including faster time-to-hire, access to better candidates, and valuable market expertise. This approach is often more efficient than traditional in-house hiring methods, which can hinder and slow your progress.
Industry Expertise: More Than Just Recruitment
At Evolve Scientific, we pride ourselves on being more than just recruiters. Our team comprises degree-qualified scientists with real industry experience, often having done the jobs we’re recruiting for. This first-hand experience allows us to:
- Understand the intricate technical requirements of the roles you’re looking to source
- Stay updated on industry trends and regulatory changes within scientific sectors
- Identify candidates with the rare, in-demand skills your company needs
But why should you consider a specialist scientific and technical recruitment agency for your hiring needs? Here are the top advantages:
1. Access to niche talent pools
Generalist recruiters may cast a wide net when talent pooling. While this seems like a practical approach to broaden your search, it can lead to poor-quality results, matching roles to individuals who aren’t necessarily the right fit. This process can then lead to increased time-to-hire and higher overall costs. When it comes to specialised roles, you need a more precise approach. Specialist agencies maintain carefully curated networks of candidates consisting of highly qualified professionals who already possess the necessary technical skills and experience required to excel in your roles.
For example, sourcing an experienced R&D scientist with expertise in a specific field, such as molecular biology, can be like finding a needle in a haystack. A specialist recruiter already knows where to look.
Our extensive network allows us to:
- Identify passive candidates who might not be actively job-hunting
- Quickly source talent for urgent or high-priority projects
- Present pre-qualified candidates to save you time and resources
2. We speak your language
Unlike general agencies, specialist recruiters often have backgrounds in their industries. As mentioned, our teams consist of people who have worked in laboratories and other technical environments.
This means:
- We understand the technical jargon. You don’t need to spend time explaining concepts like PCR, GMP, or bioprocessing.
- We understand your challenges. Whether it’s sourcing candidates with regulatory knowledge or finding experts for emerging fields, we’re already addressing these needs.
3. Faster Hiring Processes
Time is often essential when filling critical roles, especially when contractors are required for short periods or time-sensitive project opportunities. A drawn-out hiring process can lead to project delays and lost prospects. Specialist recruitment agencies are experts at maintaining a talent pipeline by pre-screening candidates and understanding your needs, reducing the time to fill positions. Their market knowledge allows them to quickly identify suitable matches, often presenting only pre-qualified candidates, which expedites the process.
4. Improved Candidate Quality
While sourcing candidates with the right technical expertise is essential to secure long-term success, you must also prioritise hires who fit your workplace culture. Agencies make it a point to understand your business, not just what you do, but how you do it. Agencies perform rigorous screening, testing, and interviewing to ensure candidates meet technical and cultural requirements. They provide candidates with insights about the role and company, increasing the likelihood of successful placements. When hires are made based on company culture, values, and work environment, your business can have better long-term employees and reduced turnover.
5. Cost-Efficiency
Although an upfront cost is associated with using a recruitment agency, the long-term benefits often outweigh this initial investment. By minimising downtime and reducing the risk of hiring mistakes, we help you avoid costly turnover and loss of productivity. Specialist recruitment agencies handle most administrative tasks for you, including managing job postings, conducting background checks, handling payroll, negotiating contracts, and ensuring compliance with labour laws. This allows your HR team to focus on other business priorities. Not only does this save you time and resources, but agencies also possess the necessary HR technology and tools, so you don’t have to allocate a budget to purchase these systems in-house.
6. Market Insights
How much should you pay a Senior Quality Manager in Melbourne? Is there a skills shortage in biostatistics? Are you missing out on top talent because of lengthy hiring processes?
Specialist recruitment agencies will have the answers to all of these. They provide market intelligence that helps you stay competitive. From salary benchmarking to insights on talent trends, their knowledge ensures you make informed decisions about your recruitment strategy. At Evolve, we aim to be a strategic partner in your company’s growth, offering guidance on talent acquisition strategies and helping you stand out in attracting and retaining top talent. Even if you don’t have an immediate hiring need, we’re committed to understanding your operations and identifying candidates to help your business succeed long-term.
7. Scalability and Flexibility
When you're looking to fill either permanent or temporary positions within your organisation, recruitment agencies offer flexible solutions tailored to your business needs. Whether you're looking for talent for a short-term project that requires immediate staffing or developing a long-term hiring strategy, these agencies are equipped to assist you. They possess the expertise and resources to swiftly identify and source qualified candidates, ensuring you have the right talent for urgent or high-priority assignments.
8. Risk Mitigation
Hiring can be inherently risky due to various legal regulations related to taxes, payroll, and local labour laws. However, partnering with a specialist agency can help reduce these risks. Many agencies provide guarantees, such as offering free replacements if a candidate leaves within a specified timeframe, which can further mitigate hiring risks. Additionally, these agencies ensure compliance with employment laws and industry regulations, helping to minimise legal exposure.
9. Enhanced Employer Branding
The most skilled professionals want to work with companies that feel professional, innovative, and forward-thinking. A recruitment agency acts as your ambassador, highlighting your company in the best possible light to attract the best talent. Their industry connections and reputation lend credibility to the hiring process.
Many companies are being more proactive with their employer branding due to the success it brings. CIPD’s 2024 resourcing and talent planning report found that 81% of respondents took action to enhance their employer brand last year, with many focusing on increasing flexible working opportunities to improve it.
With our reputation and industry expertise, we can attract candidates who might otherwise overlook your job posting.
Evolve Scientific – Investing in Your Future
At Evolve, we’re passionate about the industry we recruit within. We take the time to understand your operations, challenges, and workforce vision for the future. That way, when you have new roles that have opened up, we’re already prepared to find the talent that fits your goals perfectly.
Ready to build a stronger team?
With a network of offices spanning Australia, we provide on-the-ground support and workforce solutions to some of the region's largest scientific and technical businesses. With an established global talent pool, alongside a team of discipline-specific consultants, we offer flexible recruitment services tailored to your business needs. Whether you’re searching for temporary, permanent, executive search, or payroll solutions, you can rely on us.
Contact us today to gain from our expert resources and custom recruitment solutions.
