Growing Talent 7 kicked on with an initial assessment on 24 August for close to 70 people followed by the Employers’ Selection day on 26 August – snapshot of the action above!
After two full-on days, 18 people were selected to take part in Growing Talent – our biggest complement yet.
Amongst the employers there were:
Harrow Green represented by Trev & Sharon
Jamie & the team from Pertemps
Julie & Martin from Portico before Parissa joined them
Invest In Buy To Let, Baxter Storey and Wilson James were also ‘speed interviewing’!
With different assessments at each table, nerves were soon replaced by laughter! This is a great way to see personalities and outlooks.
After a tough decision making process, the employers selected their Growing Talent Associates. All 18 commenced the Orientation Week on Tuesday 1 September with workshops, challenges, case studies were undertaken to hone communication and team player skills.
This culminated with a presentation of a Social Enterprise ideas before a panel of judges. 10 well thought out ideas to benefit a community, be easily managed and generate a revenue stream – a tall order! You can see the guys with the judges in the feature photo.
Ideas included:
Aquaponics – taking over a disused building to grow food responsibly
Online Over 60s a tutorial club to engage this group with technology especially Skype
Bake-off – A quarterly community competition to learn how to make healthy cakes
Artsation – using art therapy for wellbeing
Game Changer – elected overall winner! An idea by Jerome on using game platforms starting in the Middle Ages to current date. However, resources deplete – how do we use them efficiently?
All are now on site learning their future roles within the employer’s businesses. In some cases, Growing Talent Associates are working alongside and being mentored by previous Associates – so a lot of support going on!
These 18 are due to complete on 20 November and join the 45 others that have secured their permanent roles through Growing Talent ready for the Graduation ceremony on 26 November!
My work devising, developing and delivering Growing Talent has seen PwC I&P shortlisted for a Personnel Today award:
Amazingly, Jane James Consultancy Limited has also been shortlisted in another category:
Winners will be announced at the Grosvenor House Hotel on 30 November 2015.
Watch this space…………………………………!