Questions over launch of new worker sharing platform

TSBE has helped fast-track a new platform to let businesses share excess workers to other companies, despite concerns from recruitment firms.

TSBE CEO Ali Davenport at a Future Toowoomba meeting. August 2019

THE Toowoomba region's top economic lobby group has helped fast-track a new platform to let businesses share excess workers to companies that needed them, despite concerns from recruitment firms.

Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise this week launched BenchOn, a "business talent sharing platform" that shares workers with companies needing skilled staff for projects.

The Toowoomba Regional Council-funded body said the platform would be appreciated by businesses struggling through COVID-19.

TSBE CEO Ali Davenport said the concept was different to a traditional recruitment agency, in that the workers were still on the payroll of their current employer.

"The platform is different to a traditional recruitment agency as it does not support permanent recruitment, rather supports businesses who can't financially support an employee and matches staff's skills to other companies," she said.

"Recruiters and labour hire firms can also use the platform to match them to more contract based work.

"Unlike recruitment or labour hire, people looking for work cannot access this site - it is only for people who are employed and have been temporarily stood down from their roles, so it is ideally suited to the COVID-19 environment."

Because it was free to use upfront, Ms Davenport said BenchOn made its money as a service fee as part of the worker's pay.

Joy Mingay.

But Classic Recruitment's Joy Mingay raised concerns over the platform's impacts on local agencies, and what she believed was a lack of consultation by TSBE.

"They could've at least given us the heads up," she said.

"If this is such a great idea, why didn't they bring us to the table?

"My concern is council is funding TSBE and TSBE is now running a project that is in direct competition to small businesses."

Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce CEO Todd Rohl also questioned the consultation process.

In response to the concerns, Ms Davenport said BenchOn could help local businesses both sharing and receiving workers remain viable in a tough economic environment.

"This business model is not like a recruitment company, which is only able to place candidates that have resigned from their jobs," she said.

"Across our membership at TSBE, we closely communicated with recruitment and labour hire companies as COVID-19 placed difficulties on employment across the region.

"We saw the benefits of BenchOn during this economic downturn, as it can help hundreds of local businesses to potentially pay their staff properly without any cash outlay.

"TSBE consulted with businesses about whether a platform would be something that could assist their business and found there was a requirement for this type of solution.

"TSBE and TRC are happy to talk to any business that is interested in being involved or have any concerns."

For more information, head to www.benchon.com.

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