INNOVATIVE work to help schools on North Yorkshire’s coast recruit and retain teachers has been recognised with a national award.

NYES Resourcing Solutions, a company set up by North Yorkshire County Council to offer services to schools and businesses, and the authority’s human resources service have been recognised in the Public-Services People Managers Association (PPMA) awards.

By gaining a detailed understanding of overall school challenges and workforce needs, and working with candidates from start to finish, the project has enabled schools to recruit more effectively first time.

North Yorkshire County Councillor Patrick Mulligan said: "Recruitment and retention of teachers by schools on the coast is key to addressing social mobility of young people and to impacting positively on their future.”

The service has developed a bank of talent to meet the predicted demand for teachers on the coast.

Within the first year, the support provided has resulted in 62 vacancies filled, with 58 of them filled first time, more than £18,000 saved in advertising costs and around £350,000 a term in supply agency costs avoided. Seventeen teachers have been recruited from outside the area.

Cllr Mulligan added: “This achievement supports and builds on the work we are doing in the coastal opportunity area to ensure all children in those areas have the opportunity to reach their full potential.”

Based on this success, Resourcing Solutions has been selected as the recruitment partner to support other areas.

The PPMAs recognised Resourcing Solutions and North Yorkshire County Council HR for their wider contribution to public sector excellence in HR.

The team won: HR/OD Evidence-Based Improvement Project; and came highly commended: Public Service HR/OD Team of the Year.