Employment

New look Growing Talent is open!

Jane JamesLeave a comment

To mark our 5th anniversary in February 2019 of our planned one-off pilot in 2014, we have streamlined the framework of Growing Talent.

 

It retains all the core elements including selection without cvs, provisional permanent job offer upfront on selection by an employer, orientation week before going on site, a total of four weeks training in the vacant role and a holistic week during which life skills including personal finance, fitness, nutrition on a budget and qualification as a mental health first aider.  So what has changed? instead of 12 weeks, it’s now six weeks long.  All parts have to be completed.  There is no uncertainty when someone will be employed.

 

This will deliver transparency for employers, participants and those referring them.  Provision has been put in place to enable an extension based on individual circumstances and only by agreement with all parties.  Equally, those going into roles requiring minimum training, such as barista, will be employed after the orientation week and return for the mental health first aider qualification on the holistic week – again, by arrangement.

 

This year we move to a new training venue – etc venues – away from Southwark Cathedral.  As a public venue the facilities at the Cathedral were not appropriate.

 

Those selected by employers – known as Growing Talent Associates – will enjoy a breakfast, choice of lunches, afternoon tea plus unlimited refreshments throughout the day.  This investment should return commitment and focus thereby pushing numbers up of those going into work.

 

Diverse employers took part in 2018 including Ballymore, Connect Plus Services M25, Acuity Services, Portico, MitieTDM, Pertemps, Harris & Hoole, Scotscape, ME Hotel, Firmdale Hotels, Harrow Green & many more.

 

Some great life changing stories lie ahead no doubt………

Abuse of Employment Tribunals…… a ticking time bomb?

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I stumbled across this piece on the This is Money website from January 2011 which I found startling especially as I know it is still true today.

 

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/article-1710536/Comment-Employment-tribunals-are-legalised-extortion.html

 

The anguish a legal process like this can have on someone trying to run a small business is huge, yet every step in the process is about giving money to the claimant not whether they have a case, have harassed and  caused harm to someone else through their spurious claims.  Even the ACAS mediation service just wants to agree a financial sum to settle!

 

It is absolutely right in my opinion that people who have been badly treated by employers should have free redress to compensation but only if they have a real case.

 

‘Litigants that fail at Employment Tribunal with their spurious claims against employers – even those who aren’t their employers, recruitment consultants etc –  shouldn’t those litigants pay the legal costs of the person/organisation they wrongfully accused’.

What are your thoughts?

As an employer – how do you know you’ve found ‘the one’?

Jane JamesLeave a comment

It’s difficult and time consuming trying to identify the right talent for your business before hiring, not just from a skillset point of view but also personal outlook, fit with the team and company ethos as well as future potential, before hiring them.

 

At the point of hire in traditional recruitment, a lot of time and money has been spent on composing the vacancy, advertising it, potentially engaging recruitment agencies, a contract has been drawn-up, payroll has been set-up – all without knowing if the individual is a good fit in all areas and has the potential to grow.

 

If there is a ‘miss-match’ there is not only a cost implication but also a decrease in team moral.

 

Surely a ‘try before you buy’ works for both sides.  Enter Growing Talent!  Now I know what some employers may think who have not been involved in anything like this before…”the unemployed never work out”, “there is no commitment from the unemployed – they’re used to not working”.

 

As the saying goes – the proof is in the pudding – as many naysayers have found.

 

Alex, on the current programme with Portico, recently had his first appraisal.  After just a few short weeks on site, he’s exceeded expectations in all areas.  Outstanding feedback from the team is a natural self esteem booster.  Alex is looking forward to the remaining training ahead.  Already, he’s been identified as a perfect addition to the team – something the employer would not have secured without Growing Talent.

 

Why aren’t all employers recruiting through Growing Talent?  I’d love to know…

 

 

http://www.growing-talent.co.uk

Growing Talent 18 – how has the first week been?

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The first week training in their potential end jobs is always tough.  It’s about managing instant expectations and keeping the end goal in site – easier said than done for many!

 

After being unemployed – even for a short time – leaving the routine of your comfort zone takes courage, determination, tenacity and grit. Qualities that not everyone has.

 

So where are the Growing Talent 18 Associates ? & how have they got on?

 

Kam is working with the Portico team on their PwC accounts cross training in all areas at two sites in London – Charing Cross and London Bridge.  Based there with Kam is Alex…

 

Alex summed the first week as ‘so much to learn, but it’s really good – I made the right choice.’ Alex was in the lucky position of having a number of employers offer him provisional roles on Growing Talent.

 

Helen below is very happy working with the reception team at Regent Group in Wimbledon…..

 

‘The team are really friendly.  It’s different work to the world of corporate switchboard which I’ve been used to but I really like it and the travelling isn’t bad! Just an hour max door to door including all the walking to stations/interchanges etc.

‘The days are really long but I’m really enjoying it’ shared Tom above who is working with the Social Media team on video content.  ‘The days are really long as I’m in 7.45 to 8am each day but I’ve found a local part to go to each lunchtime’.

 

Leo had a tough week not least because he, by his own admission, is very impatient and want everything now!  Working with Scotscape – a living wall specialist, Leo is hands-on in his role

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Mohammed, above, is learning the ropes with Acuity Services’ Elite Team.  The Elite Team are trained in all accounts to enable them to seamlessly cover holidays and sickness.  Mohammed is keen to get his teeth into something demanding responsibility.

 

Lastly AJ is learning to support Amrik – Talent Acquisition at Regent Group to deliver an exemplary service in securing and training the right talent to ensure Regent Group grow efficiently.

 

AJ’s a little camera shy so no photo!

 

The biggest transition for anyone one on Growing Talent to complete the programme and secure the provisional job offer is managing their ‘instant expectations’.  By this I mean, we are so used to getting everything we want ‘now’ without having to wait for it. Eg, order a takeaway on line and it’s delivered to your door, same with a weekly shop, clothes, maintenance equipment, furniture in fact just a bout anything.

 

However, two things you won’t ever secure instantly are meaningful relationships and a career! Both have to be worked at, nurtured and sustained.

 

Check back to see how the guys get on over the coming weeks……………

 

 

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs………….

Jane JamesLeave a comment

If we listened solely to the media, we could be duped into believing all is ‘doom and gloom’ on the prosperity of the UK.  This of course, again thanks to media outlets, is all due to Brexit.

 

There is no balanced reporting.  So I wanted to share how businesses appear to be growing – especially in London.  For the last year or so, employers have been few on Growing Talent.   Now the excitement is swelling with 14 different employers with multiple jobs!

 

Clearly some businesses are looking very bright. They are not waiting for the outcome of Brexit but taking the opportunity to expand and grow now!

 

So, if you are reading, listening, watching the news – remember there is another side, maybe more positive, which isn’t being reported.

 

Jobs, jobs, jobs – the future will be bright for those selected by employers at the end of July/early August!

 

 

Rethink by business needed?

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I attended the London Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s joint launch with London Councils of their report on London’s skill challenges.

 

Looking through the stats and research put together by their researchers – ComRes who surveyed in excess of 2,000 London based employers this year, one of the key areas I found startling was that illustrated in the feature picture of this blog.  London businesses found the following key difficulties when recruiting:

 

  1.      Applicants lacked sufficient technical ability
  2.      Applicants lacked sufficient experience
  3.      Low number of applicants for the role
  4.      Applicants lacked cv writing/interviewing skills
  5.      Too much competition from other employers

 

I found this startling because nothing has changed since I started working in recruitment in the early 2000s!  Employers have to think differently especially with the uncertainty of Brexit.  We need to think outside the box.

 

The talent that has the technical ability, experience and cv/interviewing skills is already employed!  We need to look at the vast chunks of our population which aren’t employed.  These people may have some barriers to work which in the main can be overcome by nurturing into employment.

 

We have to accept the faults of the past and address the issues to ensure we meet the skills challenge:

  • Why not train someone in a vacant role so they get the technical skills and experience before hiring – oh wait we already do that on Growing Talent
  • Why not select based on attitude and enthusiasm instead of cvs and interviews?  Oh wait, Growing Talent does that too!
  • There are plenty of applicants for the role – they just aren’t ‘polished’ at the start but become so on the journey – over 128 people from all backgrounds prove this!
  • Selection is in two stages – a speed dating session and a 1-2-1 – no cv, no traditional interview
  • Employers won’t have competition from other employers if they nurture as above and will get more commitment because they have given that support.

 

A report last year showed we have a generation of pre-school children who don’t know how to turn the pages of a book ! – most swipe as if it’s a screen!

 

Even where people have technical ability, they often don’t have the social skills.  They are glued to their mobiles, don’t know how to network, expect everything instantly etc.

 

To meet the skills challenge – employers have to be parents, counsellors, coaches – not just employers – but the results are so worthwhile as proved by Growing Talent – http://www.growing-talent.co.uk.

What it takes to get a job & keep it? – some thoughts by those who know!

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After almost completing Growing Talent 17 and going into their permanent jobs, the Growing Talent Associates have learnt what it takes to get a job, keep it and grow it into a career.

 

Therefore, one of their final tasks was to compile a poster illustrating this.

 

First up was Delroy who is on the journey with Ballymore Group working in Maintenance….

Delroy was clearly enthused by the previous art workshop and drew his key points…..

Delroy Poster

Imran with Pertemps learning the rope of a Junior Recruitment Consultant split his poster into four key points.  All of which are invaluable on this journey….

Imran Poster

She split her poster into the three stages….

 

Shae Poster

They could almost run Growing Talent themselves!

 

Mr Fixit!

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With Growing Talent 17 in full swing, I’ve been making site visits all week.  One of the stand out ones was Delroy at Ballymore in Vauxhall.

 

Ballymore were taking part for the first time – so no pressure on Delroy to impress!  Joining the GM’s team at their Empress Gardens estate, Delroy is currently looking after the day-to-day maintenance of one building.  As a high end residential block, everything has to be pristine.

 

Located adjacent to the new American Embassy the area is developing quickly with new businesses and executive homes being built in the area.

 

Ballymore not only build residential and commercial properties, they maintain and run them as well.  Meaning customer care and relationship building are just as key to success as job ‘know how’.

 

Delroy is already being looked at for promotion as the estate is growing to nine buildings and he’s only been on site four weeks!  He’s absolutely loving it.

 

As his first job since 2010, no formal qualifications and only with the experience of running his own business, it was almost impossible for Delroy to secure the right role for him through the traditional route.  Through Growing Talent, he’s been able to showcase he is right for the role with Ballymore and changed management’s mind on the talent and potential amongst the ranks of the unemployed!  They confirmed they will recruit through Growing Talent again – great news, thanks to Delroy’s attitude and enthusiasm.

 

Delroy below in his own office complete with his own tropical fish tank for those mindful moments essential in any working day!

 

A strong career with Ballymore lies ahead for Delroy if he stays on course….. A great role model for others following him.

 

Stairway to opportunity?

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Yesterday I finally got to see the impressive restoration at The Principal Hotel, London.  As a listed building with multiple original vintage features the launch date was put back a number of times.

 

I’d met Charlie & Amy from the HR team almost a year ago.  They came along to the Growing Talent Graduation 2017 and Amy attended one of our employer speed dating events to see if they could recruit through Growing Talent. Yesterday, Charlie confirmed they were indeed ready to join us on Growing Talent 18 which commences at the end of July.

 

Some of the stunning interiors any selected Growing Talent Associates will have the opportunity to work in….

 

The opulent lighting really fits the atmosphere at the hotel…..

 

Take a look at the ‘Hollywood’ showers…

 

 

How intricate is this mosaic outside the Palm Court afternoon tea area?

 

 

Who doesn’t love a four poster???

 

 

Great area for a nice soak after a long day….

 

 

Overlooking Russell Square itself, despite being in the heart of London with all the bustle, you literally feel a world away inside the hotel.  A great opportunity for the right Growing Talent Associates…..

London Chamber of Commerce – what to expect?

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After four years of running my business delivering Growing Talent and Mental Health/Wellbeing programmes, I felt the time was right to increase my business awareness, network with like-minded organisations and ultimately grow Growing Talent to get even more people into work from diverse backgrounds.

 

Quite a big membership fee for a ‘one man band’ organisation but the events and knowledge LCC showcase they deliver on their website should make this cost-effective.

 

I guess you only get out what you put in!

 

My first networking event is on 6 June 2018 so not long to wait to see if the proof is in the pudding or not!

 

If there are any fellow members out there – I’d appreciate your top tips!

 

Update – 8.6.18 – for the first half hour I wondered what I was doing there!  There was no staff to direct, no kind of instruction manual – although I now understand there is an introduction session for new members which kicks in a couple of weeks joining!  So we were all in a large room with team/coffee etc and left to our own devices with colour coded badges – although not everyone had been given the key to the colour coding.  Equally, I was wrongly coded as a PR company! How many others were wrongly coded as well?  A couple of people I spoke with told me they were not renewing, others said they had grown strong client relationships.  I guess more than one event is needed to form a true opinion!