Gap Recruitment is a specialist employment agency with a difference. It crosses the boundary between recruitment and training, offering tailored solutions to its client base of over 100 companies. Formed in 1997, it focuses on specific industry sectors, mainly industrial, warehousing, and call centres. Martyn Maund, Marketing Director, says "It grew from three people being in the same place at the same time with a good idea". That good idea resulted in Wrexham Council becoming their first client and they have not had time to look back since. The key to their success is seen as a being a clear focus on training needs. All recruits are trained in-house by their training and development division before being released to client companies. Temporary staff are treated as clients and are offered incentive schemes to improve retention. The ultimate indicator used is the number of temporary staff that are placed in permanent jobs, currently 20%. Managing director Gary Dewhurst and his team are fully supported by a close working relationship with North Wales Training and their preferred agency status with the Employment Service. Gap's own staff are also well cared for with their own ongoing training and development programmes, and a Living Culture Statement that drives the business. Gap is expanding fast with further offices already open on the North Wales coast and in Chester. Four more branches are planned and Gary hopes to take on twenty more staff by 2003. He and his strong management team are working towards IIP certification, although Gary himself is IPD accredited with 12 years industry experience, and Martyn Maund comes from an Armed Services training background having worked at the Tri Services Staff College before a spell in international business.