Case Study

Turning social value intent into strategic advantage: Jobtrain’s journey with SVB

With support from Social Value Business, the Jobtrain team sharpened their social value strategy, strengthened internal capability and boosted their tender readiness.

The Client

Jobtrain is a leading provider of applicant tracking systems (ATS) and HR expertise. The organisation supports organisations to attract, manage and recruit effectively while championing responsible, people-centred practice.

With a strong footprint in public sector recruitment and regulated environments, Jobtrain is frequently part of complex tender processes where social value is both a compliance requirement and a strategic differentiator.

The Goal

In July 2025, Jobtrain approached Social Value Business to strengthen and elevate their social value position. Although already active across health and wellbeing, education, homelessness and environmental sustainability, they needed a more strategic, evidence-led approach. With public sector clients expecting robust, measurable social value, Jobtrain recognised the need to close the gap with competitors.

Our Approach

SVB assigned Social Value Specialist Dave McGuinness to work closely with the Jobtrain team. With over 30 years’ experience across the Private, Public and VCSE sectors, Dave brought deep insight into how organisations can embed and evidence social value effectively.

He delivered a comprehensive Gap Analysis, covering:

  • Desktop research
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Identification of hidden value
  • Quick win opportunities
  • Strategic recommendations

The analysis provided a clear roadmap to help Jobtrain become more strategic, competitive and impact focused.

Dave also supported the organisation through four structured workshops to achieve the Bronze Social Value Quality Mark. Bronze is the first step in this national accreditation pathway and independently verifies organisations for their social value. Bronze requires established commitments, best practice governance and an action plan for social value delivery.

The Result

Working with SVB strengthened Jobtrain’s internal understanding of social value and improved their ability to make it clear to external audiences. The process prompted deeper reflection on existing activity, opportunities to formalise practice and a structured approach to evidencing outcomes.

Jobtrain successfully achieved the Bronze Social Value Quality Mark in February 2026.

They are now better equipped to express their social value in clear, measurable terms—supporting stronger decision-making, maximising community benefit and improving their competitiveness in public sector tenders where social value carries significant weight.

“Working with SVB was a positive and collaborative experience. We found the discussions particularly enlightening, as they encouraged us to reflect more deeply on the social value we already deliver and consider how we can articulate and measure this more clearly.

“We now feel better equipped to express and evidence our social value. This will be essential in helping make decisions that maximise benefits to communities and our competitiveness in the public sector.”

Jobtrain LogoGary Towers, Talent Intelligence Director, Jobtrain