The owner of a small motor repair business is reviewing last year's recruitment process after two new mechanics left within three months. Exit discussions s...
Question 1 Report
The owner of a small motor repair business is reviewing last year's recruitment process after two new mechanics left within three months. Exit discussions suggest that both employees expected mainly engine repair, but much of the job involved speaking to customers, ordering parts and using diagnostic software. For the next vacancy, the owner plans to rewrite the job description and person specification before choosing where to advertise. Options include a specialist motor trade website, a local college and a notice in the workshop window. The owner has limited money for recruitment and wants to select an employee likely to stay. New employees will receive training on the business's booking system, but technical skill remains important.
(a) State two duties that should be added to the job description. [2]
(b) Define labour turnover. [3]
(c) Explain one reason why an accurate job description could reduce labour turnover at this business. [5]
(d) Analyse which recruitment option the owner should select. [10]
Answer Details
(a) The job description should include duties such as speaking to customers, ordering parts, using diagnostic software and engine repair. Any two. [2]
(b) Labour turnover is the rate or number of employees leaving a business over a stated period of time. [3]
(c) An accurate job description gives applicants a realistic picture of all duties, including customer contact and diagnostic software use. People who dislike these tasks can decide not to apply. The appointed mechanic is then less likely to find that the real job differs from expectations, making them more likely to stay. [5]
(d) A specialist motor-trade website targets people with relevant technical skills, so the business is more likely to receive suitable applications. Although it may cost more than a workshop-window notice, this could be cheaper overall if it prevents the cost of recruiting and replacing an unsuitable mechanic.
A local college may provide enthusiastic applicants who can be trained on the booking system, but they may have less practical repair experience. A workshop-window notice is low cost and may attract local people, but its audience is limited.
The specialist website is the best choice if an experienced mechanic is needed quickly. The college is a reasonable lower-cost alternative if the owner can provide more training and accept less experience initially. [10]
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