Programmed teams up with APM

Programmed Maintenance Services has formed a new partnership with Perth-grown international human services company Advanced Personnel Management.

In a statement today, Programmed, which provides staffing, maintenance and facilities management services out of its Burswood headquarters, said the partnership would formalise a relationship between two sectors of the employment market.

APM chief executive Michael Hobday said the partnership solidified a working relationship between the two companies, which share a history of collaboration.

“It will give APM and Programmed an even greater understanding of the different needs of employers, with the aim of this translating into tangible outcomes for employers and job seekers alike,” he said.

“Our combined strength will maximise the chances of more Australians than ever before being placed into and remaining in meaningful employment.”

Under the partnership, APM will provide employment services to job seekers to prepare them for work while the participants will be linked with Programmed’s network of employers.

Programmed, which is headed by Christopher Sutherland, is in the middle of a merger deal with Melbourne-based workforce provider Skilled Group.

The proposed deal, which would create a $700 million staffing and facilities management group, has been given the tick of approval by Credit Suisse analysts, after Skilled last month dismissed the approach as opportunistic given the company’s recent share price fall.

Shares in Programmed were unchanged at $2.39 per share at the close of trade.