Recruit, Train, Deploy
Building the future public sector workforce with a scalable and capability driven talent model. The Recruit, Train, Deploy (RTD) service line has been gaining popularity as a strategic recruitment solution enabling customers to respond to existing and emerging skills shortages, over the medium to long term, whilst supporting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) and social mobility priorities.
Get in touchHow does it work?
PSR partners with our public sector customers to identify a preferred RTD Supplier partner, via either a direct award or mini-competition.
The RTD supplier will then identify individuals who have the right attitude, aptitude and potential for a career in the public sector. The candidates are then trained in line with the learning pathway and expectations of the customer.
Once trained, candidates are deployed into the customers’ organisation for 18–24 months on a contract basis, with the option to convert to permanent hire. Throughout their assignment, candidates receive pastoral care and ongoing development directly from the RTD supplier -reducing risk, improving readiness, and strengthening long‑term workforce capacity.
Benefits
A medium to long-term strategy to overcome the skills gap by investing in future talent pipeline
Supports DE&I and social mobility through outreach to diverse, high potential individuals.
A GCA approved, compliant route to market
A commercially viable, cost-effective route to market
Ongoing training and pastoral candidate care provided by the specialist RTD suppliers
IR35 Compliant by Design
Build future capability across regions
for niche skillsets in remote locations
How it works
Recruit
We recruit untapped talent from diverse backgrounds who demonstrate aptitude and high potential.
Train
Our market leading RTD suppliers deliver consistent, accredited training aligned to your needs to ensure a successful candidate deployment.
Deploy
Job ready candidates join your teams on long term assignments with the potential for permanent conversion.
Apprenticeships vs Recruit Train Deploy
Why forward‑thinking organisations are choosing the RTD model
When it comes to building future-ready talent, traditional apprenticeships and the Recruit, Train, Deploy (RTD) model offer two very different paths. Apprenticeships are structured, long-term and learner‑led but they require employer time, investment and ongoing support.
The RTD model removes that burden. It delivers fully trained, job-ready individuals from day one, backed by continuous external support and rapid skills development designed around your organisation’s needs.
RTD made a massive impact on a career change. I had previously worked in personal injury law in private practice for over 30 years and never had I considered any other type of role. However, the training and assistance provided has made the transition extremely stress free and opened a whole new avenue for me and showed me there are careers that are extremely rewarding and enjoyable.”
Martin | RTD Cohort
Case Studies
Office for National Statistics
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) needed to hire 12 python developers – and knew they could rely on PSR for a rigorous selection process to meet their high standards.
Read the case study
HMRC
HMRC needed to hire experienced candidates in the Technology & Digital space to support their growing Customer Strategy and Tax Design Department. Our RTD service was an excellent fit to suit their high-level needs.
Read the case studyDEFRA Tackle Tech Skills Gap with PSR’s RTD Framework
Find out how DEFRA have overcome historic recruitment challenges by utilising the PSR Recruit Train Deploy model to recruit a cohort of 6 Node.js Developers.
“I think it’s a fantastic opportunity for anybody looking to learn and grow into a career.”
Richard Farrren – Resource Manager, DEFRA
Opening Doors to Hidden Talent
In this video, Ben Evans, Talent Acquisition Manager at HMRC, discusses the reasons behind the organisation’s adoption of PSR’s Recruit, Train, Deploy (RTD) service.
“By going down the RTD route we can access underrepresented groups who have the right attitude and aptitude to learn the skills we need.”
Ben Evans | Talent Acquisition Manager
HMRC
We are delighted at the success of the RTD service line, it has not only addressed some much needed skill shortages in our business, but it has provided a launchpad into a career in the public sector for people that are often overlooked via traditional routes to talent.
Jessica Ellis | Talent Acquisition Lead | Specialist Contingent Labour at HMRC
Frequently Asked Questions
At the end of the deployment period, the department may want to offer the RTD worker a permanent role to join the department and become a civil servant. The Civil Service Commission has confirmed that the department must still follow open and fair competition guidelines for RTD workers which means externally advertising and interviewing for the role before offering the role to the successful applicant. However, if they wanted to offer the RTD worker a FTC for up to 2 years they could do this without having to advertise the role using exception 1 (stating urgent need) or exception 4 (stating highly specialised skills).
If there is a RTD worker that drops out then the supplier is typically given a set period of time of time to replace the worker free of charge. This is changeable depending on the hiring managers priorities and is typically agreed on a case-by-case basis between the supplier and the customer.
The training period is free of charge; the customer only pays for the days that the worker is on site and submitting timesheets.
Many of the suppliers will create a bespoke training pathway suited to your needs. Alternatively depending on the skills required one of our suppliers may have training pathway already created and may even have regular academy intakes happening throughout the year. This is certainly the case for many tech and digital skills pathways.
If the customer wants to cancel the RTD cohort intake then they need to provide 4 weeks' notice unless stated otherwise in the RTD Req form.
RTD is designed to support your permanent recruitment pipeline, however there is no obligation for the customer to offer a permanent role.
Our suppliers have access to diverse talent pools from under-represented areas. They typically hire based on attitude and aptitude for learning and are passionate about supporting their customers in driving their DEI and Social Value agenda.
Speak to the team
For more information about how PSR can help you deliver commercial value through our RTD service, contact our RTD Client Service Managers.