More than 100 people went back in time recently to celebrate the 15th birthday of industrial
specialist MET Recruitment.
The Dudley-based company, which provides temporary and permanent staff for
manufacturing clients, took over the Black Country Living Museum (BCLM) to mark the big
anniversary alongside staff, clients, suppliers and long-term partners.
Employees Salli Gage, Stephanie Guest and Stella Wakeham swapped their day jobs to
become the ‘Darling Buds of MET’ for one night only, performing a host of wartime and
1950s British classics, whilst guests were able to enjoy a pint at the restored Elephant &
Castle pub, award-winning fish and chips and a walk down memory lane with several
traditional shops staying open.
Founder Robin Tong also used the evening’s celebrations to reinforce the firm’s commitment
to the local area with the MET Charitable Trust set to meet its target of raising £5000 for a
host of charities, including Darlaston Town Football Club’s Food Bank – launched in memory
of Leon Taylor who sadly passed away in 2021.
All employees have also been given a day’s paid ‘volunteer leave’ that they can use to make
a difference to a community group or a cause close to their heart.
“We wanted the Black Country Living Museum party to be a focal point for our 15 th birthday
celebrations and to say a big thank you to all our staff, our suppliers and our customers –
some of whom have been with us since day one,” explained Robin, who started MET
Recruitment on his own in a shared office next to Den’s Diner on the Pensnett Trading
Estate.
“It was fantastic to get everyone involved in a fun and different setting, celebrating the best
of the Black Country and, importantly, discussing what we will be doing going forward to
support charities who need our help.”
He continued: “This will include raising money through a series of events, it could be
volunteering like we did at the BCLM to help with the new street, or it could be donating
some of our office space to help charities deliver vital local services.
“We are passionate about the place we all call home and have invested over £500,000 in the
last three years into refurbishing our Dudley HQ and our new Waterfront offices that looks
after the permanent staffing side of the business. Importantly, we have also provided
employment for more than 2500 people in that same period.”
Originally set up to supply staff to the mechanical and electrical trades, MET Recruitment
has gone from three people in a small office to a 23-strong agency supporting nearly 100
clients.
The company’s charitable activities this year has seen it launch an in-house lottery that
raises £72 per month, a £600 charity football match at Darlaston Town that supported
Westminster School and the planting of 15 trees (for each year the business has been
going) at Jasmine Road Community gardens.
Staff have also got involved in their own personal challenges, completing half marathons and
the world’s largest inflatable course, painting football stands and holding last man standing
sporting competitions, with a special quiz night set to be held in November.
Becky Tong, Social Media and Marketing Manager at MET Recruitment, commented: “We
have strong links with a lot of community groups and one of those is with Dudley District
Read Easy.
“This is a fabulous group of volunteer tutors who provide free and confidential one-to-one
support for adults who want to learn to read or improve their literacy skills at their own pace.
“The group needed a private space where they could meet, so we agreed to donate our
office space free of charge, as we believe reading is an essential skill and vital in helping
people get into work and to stay connected to their communities.”
Nella Share, Commercial Director, concluded: “We like to do recruitment differently and the
whole business is built on a ‘people first’ approach. Clients and candidates really respect
this, and we firmly believe this is what drives our growth – here’s to the next 15 years!”
For further information, please visit www.metrecruitment.com or follow
@met_recruitment on twitter
