Recruitment body says effective legal frameworks will drive growthEnhanced professional standards, effective regulatory frameworks and "the ability to pre-empt changing client needs" will help to drive future development of the recruitment industry across the world, according to one body.

The Recruitment and Employment Confederation was invited to lead a workshop on ethics and professional standards at the World Employment Conference in Sao Paulo last week and it suggested that flexible resourcing was high on the agenda at the event.

REC director of external relations Tom Hadley noted that there was plenty of interest in enhancing professionalism and the work of the Institute of Recruitment Professionals, which adheres to the confederation’s own code of conduct.

He said: "The future is not just something that happens; it is something we create … the focus is on legitimising the sector through industry-led initiatives as well as through appropriate government regulation."

Carl Camden, chief executive of Kelly Services, told delegates that, should the industry fail to develop, it will be due to a lack of vision rather than opportunity.

By Ross George