Starting a niche CNC / industrial recruitment agency - looking for honest feedback
Hi all,
I’m seriously considering starting a specialized recruitment agency focused on CNC machining and technical roles in this area, and would really appreciate insights from people already in the industry.
Background:
- 15+ years in CNC / manufacturing (operator → programmer → CNC operator Instructor)
- Strong understanding of machining, tooling, CAM, production processes
- My brother (potential partner) has HR + legal + international recruitment experience
Idea: Build a niche recruitment agency for CNC machining roles.
Key differentiator I’m considering: Instead of standard CV-based recruitment, I would:
- technically evaluate candidates myself (real CNC knowledge)
- classify them (Level A/B/C – operator / setup / programmer)
- possibly build a small evaluation/training setup (simulation + 1 CNC machine)
Goal would be to offer:
“Technically verified CNC talent” rather than just CVs.
Some thoughts / assumptions:
- Huge shortage of skilled CNC machinists, programmers, etc. in this area
- Some recruiters don’t actually understand machining → opportunity
- Companies might pay premium if candidates are pre-validated
Questions for those with experience:
- Is niche specialization (CNC machining) a strong enough angle, or is it better to stay broader at the beginning?
- How realistic is it to win first clients as a new agency? (especially without references)
- Does “technical validation / certification” actually add value from a client perspective, or do companies not care and just want CVs fast?
- Would adding additional roles like welders, fabricators, maintenance techs dilute the brand, or is it smart to stay within “industrial trades” as a wider niche?
- Biggest mistake you made (or see others making) in the first year?
One concern I have: This model requires a lot of time on:
- candidate sourcing
- technical interviews
- client acquisition
Did you handle both sides yourself at the beginning, or split roles early?
I’m trying to approach this realistically (not “get rich quick”), so I’d really appreciate honest, even brutal feedback.
Thanks a lot 🙏