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One of the UK’s leading recruitment and training agencies Acorn has opened a new office in the heart of Cardiff city centre – where they’re finding the temporary jobs market showing signs of recovery.

The new Acorn headquarters in the Welsh capital specialises in industrial, office and events recruitment, with the Cardiff industrial team recent winners of the company’s UK-wide sales league.

More than 400 temporary staff are now being supplied every day from the Cardiff office to businesses across the capital, Caerphilly, the Vale of Glamorgan and Bridgend – an increase of 35 per cent on the previous two months.

At the launch of the new Cardiff headquarters of Acorn more than 70 businesses were represented where Communications Direct managing director Matt Burge spoke of the importance of local companies supporting each other.

“I was delighted to be asked to speak at the opening of Acorn’s new Cardiff branch; over the last couple of years Acorn has proven to be a an excellent partner not just for Communications Direct, but also for the Cardiff Devils. During times like this, it is important that local companies look to work with each other as best they can and Acorn is no stranger to supporting its local communities.

“Acorn has a well-earned reputation for being a good local employer and a proud community-centred business, which is why we had no hesitation in making Acorn our preferred recruitment provider.”

Acorn Marketing Director Dan Langford said: “The move has already created a boost for our business and we have experienced a significant increase in the number of staff required by our clients.

“Business across the board has picked up for Acorn; performance is currently ahead of budget and our new Cardiff office is playing a vital role in that improvement.

“A recruitment agency like ours that provides temporary staff to a range of different sectors is a useful indicator of recovery in a struggling economy.  In a recovery period, employers will tend to take on temporary staff first before renewing their commitment to longer-term investment in permanent appointments.

“We have been experiencing that situation over the last couple of months, which we hope is a sign that the economy is turning.”

Mr Langford added: “The move to Duke Street makes us more visible, with bigger premises that will allow for an increase in staff and an improved working environment for our team and clients. It also gives us the chance to take some of our training facilities into the city centre.”

The Acorn Cardiff office works with some of South Wales’ leading employers, and across the UK places up to 5,500 people into about 750 different client companies each week. The company also delivers training to more than 3,000 individuals and makes 1,500 permanent placements every year.