Sidekicker Blog SEEK-backed temp platform targeting new industries

Orginially published on Shortlist - a subscription news service that keeps recruitment agency and in-house talent acquisition professionals informed about all the crucial developments in their sector.On-demand temp staffing platform Sidekicker is expanding into new industries and locations in 2017, according to its CEO."We've identified caring as an area for expansion in 2017", says Thomas Amos. He told Shortlist Sidekicker is "very confident" about moving into this market, but hasn't set an official timeline yet.Blue-collar industries are also getting a look in, but these are more complex in terms of compliance and certification, so the company might be more likely to partner with "the right" blue-collar recruitment firm than go it alone, he notes."There's obviously a greater risk from an OHS point of view in those industries, so we need to have a strong understanding of those markets and make sure our OHS systems are best in class...That's probably what's held us back [until] now."Geography-wise, Sidekicker has recently added Brisbane to its existing office locations of Melbourne, Sydney, Auckland and Wellington, and has plans to move into Perth.The platform now has 3-4,000 workers registered, and fills the vast majority (80-90%) of clients' temp worker demands within four hours, Amos says.It has been investing in growth and infrastructure since receiving backing from SEEK, and a key element of this is the company's workforce management platform, which allows clients to manage their own temp workers, not just the site's "Sidekicks"."What we're starting to find is corporate clients are bringing their own staff into Sidekicker and using our technology to plan their workforce...because a lot of corporates get great pipelines, but they may not necessarily want to employ people on permanent contract at this stage," Amos says."Where we want our technology platform to go is for you to be able to have your team members, who are employed on a flexible manner, your Sidekicks, and potentially your volunteers in the one platform."Amos hasn't noted any ill-will from recruiters viewing the platform as competition for temp recruitment; rather, a growing number of agencies are using it, he says.This occurs primarily in the events, promotions and hospitality space, where end-clients "still want strong management", and often have to scale up quickly, and where margins are high enough to allow Sidekicker to take its 15% share of wages and leave enough for the recruiter to be profitable as well, he says.