With the news that unemployment was at its lowest level for a number of years and the general feeling that the economy has finally turned the corner, Gwent has seen a number of recruitment agencies established or move into the area in recent months.

Business Argus spoke to the managing director and owner of one of them - Ross Porter, managing director and owner of Clear Sky Recruitment, Blackwood - about why now is a good time to get into the recruitment business.

Ross began his career in the recruitment sector in 1998 when he started work as a recruitment consultant. A year later he sold all of his personal possessions and used what little savings he had to raise the funds to start Draig Personnel.

Ross grew Draig Personnel in to a recognised name in the recruitment sector which, at its peak, had six branches. Ross sold the business in 2011 for an undisclosed sum to Newport, South Wales based Acorn Recruitment where he worked for a time as a consultant to the business.

He and his fellow director, his wife Clare, have invested £50,000 in Clear Sky.

Business Argus: Why have you set up Clear Sky Recruitment at this time?

Ross Porter: The main reason why I have decided to return to the recruitment arena is because of my underlying passion for the industry. During my short career break from the recruitment industry, I realised just how much I enjoyed working closely with both clients and candidates alike, having done so since 1998 when my career in recruitment began. I established and developed a successful recruitment business for 12 years servicing organisations in South Wales and I missed the interaction with my clients. I am as enthusiastic and determined to make the business a success this time round as I was when I opened the door to my last recruitment business all those years ago back in 1999.

BA: Why do you believe the market needs a new recruitment agency?

RP: Some may argue that the recruitment industry has been saturated with agencies. However, I firmly believe that there are only a select few which have the skill set, experienced leadership and ability to deliver the very best levels of service to their customers. Myself and my wife, Claire, who is also a director of the business, bring more than 20 years of experience in the recruitment sector to the business.

BA: Why Blackwood?

RP: From our headquarters in Blackwood town centre, we can effectively recruit for both permanent and contract staff for businesses throughout South Wales and beyond. The days of having to have a city centre presence are, in my opinion, past. The internet has changed the way in which all businesses, including those in recruitment, operate. Despite having only been open since mid-April, we are already recruiting for vacancies in Bristol and Wrexham for example. Our philosophy is to keep the running costs to a minimum in order to pass the cost savings on to our all-important clients in order to help their businesses in such a tough economic climate that we continue to experience.

BA: Do you believe that there is improvement in the economy and that employers are now looking to recruit quality staff?

RP: The job market has slowly been improving in line with the economic recovery. This improvement has given the recruitment sector a much-needed boost as the country attempts to kick start its economic health back into shape.

BA: What will you do that these other agencies don't?

RP: Being an independent family business, we can adapt quickly and tailor specific service packages to each and every individual client. We fully recognise that businesses need quick decisions and a supplier who can adopt a proactive approach to their recruitment requirements. This gives us a distinct advantage over the national agencies. How many other recruitment agencies out there have their managing director taking full responsibility for the day-to-day management of the labour contracts?

BA: What have your many years in the industry taught you that will help you to hit the ground running and be a success?

RP: It is all about people. As daft as it sounds, many of our competitors appear to forget this and tend to focus on hitting targets and the financial rewards of their occupations.

BA: What do you believe makes for a successful recruitment agency

RP: I believe that a successful recruitment agency is one that has a strong interest in people. In order to build a successful recruitment agency, business owners, managers and all members of staff must put the needs of people as priority. It is essential to get the balance right between client and candidate requirements and to adopt an honest and transparent approach to everything that they do. Reputation is everything.

BA: What are the key traits or attributes essential that a successful recruitment professional must possess?

RP: I think that a good recruitment professional must possess strong networking skills, communication skills, the ability to personalise a service to a particular client; to think out of the box and the ability to use technology as opposed to being consumed by it. These combined with a strong interest in people and a passion for customer service will help any budding recruitment professional develop a successful career in the industry.

BA: What's the plan for the future of your business?

RP: We've already created four jobs and hope to increase this to double figures before the end of the year. I'd like to firmly establish the business as the leading agency in the South Wales valleys and it is our goal to one day to develop it into a multi-branch agency to feature branches in Cardiff, Bristol and London. We aim to place more than 200 candidates in employment in our first year of operation. But I must emphasise once again that it is not just about the numbers; it is about the people. We aim to place the right candidates in to the right positions.