'Associate Model'

[HeadlessChicken]

Received a mail for a new role, seemed to hit quite a lot of boxes for me, updated cv- cover letter, replied back.

got a call from agent just now. The usual 'tell me more about your experience...’ 3 mins. sales speech followed.

Then, i asked him a query of what sort of role and duration is this for.

..... 'The role is working in an Associate Model'.
'Associate Model' i queried.

There was a 'detailed' discussion after that but this is what I could figure out. 'The client' here is usually a consultancy firm working for its 'end clients'. When ever there is a new project, 'The client' approaches suitable candidate out of his list. if the candidate is free to work then sign a contract for that project's duration. If that candidate is not available, move on to the next in queue. The other way is if candidate is free, approach the client and see if there's any work for him/her.

I accept being a naive in the field of contracting, my relatively little industry experience makes me think isn't this any other type of contract? The fact that i sign a new contract every time 'The Client' has a project makes me wonder what uniqueness is to name this 'an Associate Model'.

Am i missing something here? Will be helpful if those who have come across such model before can help me understand the differences to standard way of contracting. The only difference I see here is there's an on going relationship between the candidate and 'The Client' even though the project has ended.

TIA!
HC

PS : Happy new year to all

[EternalOptimist]

As far as I can see, it's an ordinary contract except there's an on going relationship between the candidate and 'The Client' even though the project has ended.


that'll be £50 please

[Old Greg]

Received a mail for a new role, seemed to hit quite a lot of boxes for me, updated cv- cover letter, replied back.

got a call from agent just now. The usual 'tell me more about your experience...’ 3 mins. sales speech followed.

Then, i asked him a query of what sort of role and duration is this for.

..... 'The role is working in an Associate Model'.
'Associate Model' i queried.

There was a 'detailed' discussion after that but this is what I could figure out. 'The client' here is usually a consultancy firm working for its 'end clients'. When ever there is a new project, 'The client' approaches suitable candidate out of his list. if the candidate is free to work then sign a contract for that project's duration. If that candidate is not available, move on to the next in queue. The other way is if candidate is free, approach the client and see if there's any work for him/her.

I accept being a naive in the field of contracting, my relatively little industry experience makes me think isn't this any other type of contract? The fact that i sign a new contract every time 'The Client' has a project makes me wonder what uniqueness is to name this 'an Associate Model'.

Am i missing something here? Will be helpful if those who have come across such model before can help me understand the differences to standard way of contracting. The only difference I see here is there's an on going relationship between the candidate and 'The Client' even though the project has ended.

TIA!
HC

PS : Happy new year to all

I am currently working as an associate. Instead of being an employee of a consultancy working on a client project, I am a contractor.

[MarillionFan]

As far as I can see, it's an ordinary contract except there's an on going relationship between the candidate and 'The Client' even though the project has ended.


that'll be £50 please

WHS.

Effectively as an associate your are representing yourself not as a contractor but as a consultant of the client. They give you work on different projects / end users when they have it. I've had that relationship a few times.

[Spacecadet]

WHS.

Effectively as an associate your are representing yourself not as a contractor but as a consultant of the client. They give you work on different projects / end users when they have it. I've had that relationship a few times.

Sounds fairly IR35 safe

[MarillionFan]

Sounds fairly IR35 safe

I used to do it for giving training, so when on other contracts they'd ring me to go and do a training course somewhere or a little dev work. Fits in nicely.

[downsouth]

just be careful that the consultancy doesn't keep you hanging on, promising work is on the way etc

[darmstadt]

just be careful that the consultancy doesn't keep you hanging on, promising work is on the way etc

Unless you agree a decent retainer with them

[bobspud]

Hi,
normally the associate model is for known entities to pickup repeat work. For instance, I am an associate of a large consultancy firm. They know me and my work, and as a result are comfortable to call me out for 10 days of work infront of an end customer. I know them and their processes so I can just fit straight in and leave when the jobs done...

If an agency is calling you out of the blue then its more like a virtual bench IMO. However it's a very neat way of providing additional revenue. Rates should be higher to reflect the short durations and sporadic needs.

[Notascooby]

There are consultancies such as Smart241 that employee this practice and it's not necessarily short-term but full-project length which can be in excess of a year.

It's just a term for sub-contracted in. You may find that you end up working as part of an even bigger consultancy such as IBM, where they've gone out to their feeder consultancies to fill specialist gaps, where they have in turn gone out to the contractor market.

They may try to squeeze on rates due to the chaining but apart from having an identity crisis, there's no difference than going through any other agent really.