Industry: Manufacturing & Engineering
Company Size: 850 employees
Location: Sheffield, UK with facilities across Northern England
Challenge
NorthStar Engineering, a precision components manufacturer for aerospace and defense sectors, faced critical talent shortages following Brexit and pandemic-related disruptions. Specifically, they struggled with:
- 23 unfilled CNC specialist positions for over 6 months
- 15% reduction in EU applications for engineering roles
- Aging workforce with 28% of technical specialists nearing retirement
- Regional recruitment limitations in historically industrial areas
- Time-to-hire averaging 97 days for specialized roles
These vacancies were directly impacting production capacity, with two major defense contracts at risk due to staffing shortages.
Accirro Solution
Accirro implemented a comprehensive talent acquisition strategy:
- Cross-Border Technical Talent Pipeline
- Created specialized sourcing channels in Eastern Europe and India
- Developed technical assessment protocols specific to aerospace requirements
- Implemented streamlined visa sponsorship process
- Regional Skills Development Program
- Partnered with local technical colleges to create CNC acceleration program
- Designed mid-career transition program for adjacent industries
- Implemented competency-based assessment replacing traditional qualifications
- Digital Attraction Strategy
- Created industry-specific digital campaigns targeting passive candidates
- Developed compelling employer value proposition highlighting stability and growth
- Implemented video-based job previews to increase application quality
- Retention-Focused Onboarding
- Designed structured 90-day integration program for international talent
- Created technical mentorship pairing system with experienced staff
- Implemented regular feedback and adjustment sessions
Results
After implementing Accirro’s strategy over six months:
- Reduced Time-to-Hire: From 97 days to 42 days for technical roles
- Increased Application Quality: 68% of candidates progressed to interview stage (up from 32%)
- Filled Vacancies: 21 of 23 CNC positions filled
- Diverse Talent Pool: 40% of new hires from non-traditional backgrounds
- Knowledge Transfer: 85% of retiring specialists paired with new talent
- Production Impact: Production capacity restored to 95% of target
- Business Outcomes: Successfully delivered on both at-risk contracts
- Long-term Impact: Created sustainable talent pipeline with 35+ qualified candidates in reserve
Client Testimonial
“Accirro completely transformed our approach to technical recruitment. Their cross-border expertise and innovative sourcing strategies helped us fill positions we’d struggled with for months. The quality of candidates has been exceptional, and their onboarding support ensured new team members became productive quickly. Most importantly, we’re now positioned with a sustainable talent pipeline for the future.”
— James Harrington, Operations Director, NorthStar Engineering
