Client Testimonial:
“We were up against a tight deadline to hire multiple specialist roles for a high-profile rail station upgrade in Birmingham. Altariya grasped both the urgency and the technical complexity from day one. In less than a week, they delivered pre-vetted, fully qualified candidates — complete with video profiles — who were ready to start immediately. Their speed and precision meant we kept our project on schedule without a single hiccup.”
— Sarah Whitmore, Head of HR, Westbridge Infrastructure Ltd.
Westbridge Infrastructure Ltd. is one of the UK’s most respected infrastructure and engineering firms, with over 35 years of expertise delivering large-scale transport, urban regeneration, and civil engineering projects. The company has successfully completed high-impact works for Network Rail, Transport for London, and local councils, consistently meeting demanding deadlines and safety standards. Known for their meticulous project management and technical excellence, Westbridge is a trusted partner for government and private sector clients alike.
In mid-2024, Westbridge Infrastructure secured the contract for a major Birmingham rail station upgrade, a flagship project aimed at modernising passenger facilities, improving accessibility, and integrating new signalling systems.
The challenge: 12 urgent hires in under 10 days — including structural engineers, signalling specialists, MEP engineers, and site supervisors — each requiring prior experience in rail infrastructure projects and compliance with UK safety and Network Rail standards.
Key difficulties included:
Time pressure — any hiring delays could jeopardise the start of critical civil works, triggering contractual penalties.
Specialised expertise — candidates needed niche technical skills, valid PTS (Personal Track Safety) certification, and familiarity with Network Rail processes.
HR capacity strain — Westbridge’s internal recruitment team was already engaged on concurrent projects in Manchester and Cardiff.
1. Precision Role Mapping
We held a rapid but thorough briefing with Westbridge’s project and HR leaders to define exact technical qualifications, compliance needs, and preferred cultural fit. This included domain-specific knowledge such as signalling interlocking systems, station retrofitting, and UK railway safety regulations.
2. Multi-Channel Candidate Sourcing
Our sourcing strategy tapped into:
Our specialist UK rail and infrastructure talent database.
Direct outreach to professionals from recently completed Network Rail projects in London, Leeds, and Edinburgh.
Targeted LinkedIn campaigns aimed at passive candidates with the right certifications and willingness to mobilise quickly.
3. Rigorous Pre-Screening & Video Profiles
Every shortlisted candidate went through:
Technical skills and compliance verification (including PTS and safety training).
Competency-based interviews assessing problem-solving in live rail environments.
Recorded video profiles for instant review by Westbridge’s hiring managers, saving them significant time.
4. Constant Feedback Loops
We maintained daily check-ins with Westbridge’s HR team to adjust candidate searches and ensure evolving project needs were met without delay.
12 critical roles filled in just 6 days, ahead of the 10-day target.
Zero candidate dropouts — all hires joined on schedule.
Recruitment costs reduced by 27% compared to traditional UK agency rates.
Over 100 HR hours saved through Altariya’s pre-screening and interview management.
Enabled the rail station upgrade works to commence on time, safeguarding both contractual commitments and public launch timelines.
