What is different about the Engineering Consultancy Alten?

[24vtingle]

Hi,
Alten post electronics engineers into engineering companies.

https://www.alten.co.uk/

What is so different about Alten compared to the usual Recruitment consultancies?
Do you have to sign up for a specific period with Alten, eg 6 months minimum?

I heard that you actually work on PAYE for Alten, but if your job finishes, Alten still pay you, up until they find you another job...if this is the case, then their must be significant sacrifices that
an Engineer has to make in order to work for Alten?

 

[BradtheRad]

The website 'promises the moon' to all comers. Claims they operate in every field throughout the world. Uses the term 'employees' but it looks more like an employment agency for temporary work.

Among message board comments (Search phrase 'Is Alten a good company?):

* wage is low
* workplace sees you as 'second-class citizen'
* An 'outsourcing company'
* Career might be 2 days or 2 years

 

[24vtingle]

It seems more than a standard recruitment consultancy...do they have large fees or something?

 

[kaz1]

Agencies suck as much money from your pocket as they can, doing a bit of paper work once per week or month. They exploit the applicants who are really in need of work such as after long gap. I was lucky having a contract for 7 years nonstop but unlucky in that the agency was getting £55 per hour (without my knowledge) but giving me £42 per hour. I calculated the sum they got including a lot of overtime as close to £200k of passive money.

 

[24vtingle]

Thanks, how can Alten afford to pay people wages when they are inbetween Alten contracts?.....ie, they may give someone a job which lasts 7 months.....then they keep paying them until they find them another role...how do they afford to do that? And why do they do it? Do they do it for everyone?
What if they have been paying you in unemployment for a few weeks and then you leave, do you have to give the money back?

 

[kaz1]

I don't think any agency will pay you (as contractor) unless you work to pay them.

--- Updated Apr 30, 2025 ---

They could be misleading. If you work as Payee (umbrella) then their accountant will say we pay for you holiday. A big big lie. They will ask to chop off some of your income for holidays to pay you... what a joke. You may get insurance on the same basis for loss of earnings. It remains the rule that you work to pay them.

 

[24vtingle]

Thanks, is there any disadvantage of working as an engineer for/via Alten compared to any other recruitment consultancy?

 

[FvM]

It's a subcontracted labour rather than recruitment consultancy company, I think.

 

[24vtingle]

Thanks, i guess there's litigious situations that arise because of that?...ie more litigation involved with Alten?

 

[BradtheRad]

Thanks, how can Alten afford to pay people wages when they are inbetween Alten contracts?.....ie, they may give someone a job which lasts 7 months.....then they keep paying them until they find them another role...how do they afford to do that? And why do they do it? Do they do it for everyone?
What if they have been paying you in unemployment for a few weeks and then you leave, do you have to give the money back?

It just sounds too rosy. Comments on another message board spoke how the agency is less quick to talk to a newcomer if no position is available. If a position is available it may be halfway around the world.

I imagine they do similar antics when your 7-month job is up. They say 'We have an immediate opening in a country 1,000 miles from you.' Even if it's for real, who can relocate just like that? So when you turn it down they stamp your card 'Subsequent employment offered but refused.' Goodbye.
I can't picture them paying anyone for not working.

 

[24vtingle]

Thanks, i think that it might be very closely associated with big engineering co's eg Airbus, Leonardo, BAE , Rolls Royce, etc etc?....ie, its their own "go to" recruitment consultancy?...and presumably they part fund Alten or something?....i dont know...just guessing...but i think its correct?

 

[BradtheRad]

Thanks, i think that it might be very closely associated with big engineering co's eg Airbus, Leonardo, BAE , Rolls Royce, etc etc?

Yes, a scenario could readily fit what you suggest. Airlines especially operating as 'multinational companies' might station mechanics at every major airport, skilled to work on aircraft brands. I guess they'd need a multinational job finder. So Alten gets a call saying 'We have immediate opening for a Rolls jet engine technician in London. Can you send someone tomorrow?'

A phrase 'global mindset' is the urging at Alten's website. One wonders if they mean the world is growing closer together, or whether globalism is their favored political stance?