GROWING TALENT – BUMPER CROP!

eMPLOYERS SELECTION

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:

Trev and sharon

Harrow Green represented by Trev & Sharon

Jamie and team

Jamie & the team from Pertemps

Portico

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:

Finalist_AWARD FOR INNOVATION IN RECRUITMENT

Amazingly, Jane James Consultancy Limited has also been shortlisted in another category:

Personnel Today

Winners will be announced at the Grosvenor House Hotel on 30 November 2015.

Watch this space…………………………………!

End of July

It’s been a hectic month with the launch of Growing Talent 6 and the planning for Growing Talent 7 almost simultaneously – still keeps me out of trouble.

 

Growing Talent 6 is going well with the remaining eight Associates.  This week I’ve been to see Joshua working with the Mitie TDM’s mail and distribution team based at Hays Galleria….

Joshua and team

Wearing a stand out stripped shirt, Joshua is doing well, supported by his team – Jeff, Lys, Rob, Joshua, Jerry and Simon.  Also part of the Mitie supergroup is Mehmet based in More London with the print team.  See below with Jordan……………..

t2mehmet_and_jordan. croppedjpg

All eight are focussed on the end goal – that regular salary!

 

On top of this I learnt about Growing Talent’s shortlisting for Personnel Today awards and my nomination for HR business Partner award – what a month.  What will August bring???????

 

 

 

 

 

 

100% Success for all Starters!

Team plus

Growing Talent 5 – the most successful group yet.  100% of all starters completed and went into work!  Seen here with some previous Growing Talent Associates who returned to encourage the guys.  Comfort from the pilot has been working successfully with Honeywell since completion, Caroline & James from Growing Talent 2 is still working with Iron Mountain.  Josh from Growing Talent 4 working with Harrow Green and Kavita from Growing Talent 4 still working with Aramark!  #PeoplePower!

 

 

For the first time in the short history of Growing Talent, all 11 who started the programme have completed and started their permanent jobs!  Despite a few early day wobbles from some, they rallied with support and encouragement to have the confidence to prove themselves, staying the course for the entire three months!

 

Jose secured his dream role in HR with Harrow Green after years of working in hospitality roles.

Shanika left retail behind and joined Harrow Green in their niche customer service team supporting all the business moves for their clients.

Jason, Bradley & Gavin all secured Porter roles at Harrow Green’s depots despite having little recent employment experience.

Alechenu joined Mitie Total Document Management in their rapid response team – part of the wider Service Solutions offering at one of their global client’s London sites.

Reece also joined Mitie Total Document Management in their Archiving division.  This team looks after all the Firm’s data – a huge responsibility!

Shennell & Alex both join Iron Mountain as Data/Project specialists after a long period of not really knowing what direction to so in.

Reese joins MHFAEngland as a Data Entry specialist

Camilla joins Portico in their Executive Reception team as an Executive Host.

 

You can find out more about their journeys at my other site – http://www.growing-talent.co.uk or at @Growing_Talent.

 

 

 

 

Holistic Vibe – Growing Talent 5 Renewal & Finance

Team-plus

22 June saw the start of a stunning a week at De Vere Holborn Bars.  The Holistic Vibe covers all the soft skills required for life long employment.

 

The picture above shows the guys together with previous Growing Talent Associates – Kavita, Comfort, Joshua, James & Caroline.

 

We started the week with Lesley Davies’s workshop – Renew, Refuel, Rejuvenate – although maybe from the title we should have done this at the end of the week!

 

Lesley-Refuel-Renewal-Rejuvenate

Lesley Refuel, Renewal Rejuvenate

Lesley gave a brilliant insight into how our bodies work, how evolution has affected them, the portion sizes and food groups we should cover along with top tips on food choices and keeping fit without the gym! Did the guys agree?:

“I wish we had more time with Lesley – she was great!”

“I enjoyed learning about this – you never know when it will become useful”

“Good approach to keep in mind in terms of nutrition and healthy food”

“Really enjoyed this section. Left me thinking how I could improve myself!”

“Good tips on healthy eating at work”

“Learnt about how important sleep and diet are – really worthwhile”

Personal Finance – Jon Barnes

Jon-Personal-Finance

Jon has devised an excellent personal finance workshop discussing personal finance including Standing Order vs Direct Debit, mortgages rates, credit cards, the value of cash, planning savings and everything inbetween! Lots of questions were asked. Very interactive and informal. Did the guys agree?

“Amazing workshop!”

“Brilliant session – covered things I hadn’t thought about”

“Reminds us to look at where we are and where we want to be in five and ten years”

“Strong and important topic which is not taught much”

“Powerful and informative. Should be taught in school”

“Great useful tips. Inspiration for when our wages come in”

 

jandS

Jon chatting with Shanika before breaking for lunch.

 

Stop the press! Shennell & Alex start work four weeks early!

What an achievement for both of them.

 

So, ladies first!

 

Shennell 2

Shennell in her Iron Mountain uniform

 

Shennell’s was referred to Growing Talent by her brother who I’d worked with previously on a programme called the Real Apprentice.  Due to various things going on at the time, Shennell decided to take a break from her University Studies in March 15 and work for a year before deciding what she really wanted to do.  Would this be a return to Uni, travelling or employment – so many options!

 

She arrived at the Assessment Day not knowing what to expect but was open-minded.  Nervous on entering the room full of strangers, she soon started to relax and join in.  All of the assessments are designed to be fun and inter-active enabling true personalities to be seen and good matches made.

 

Selected by Chloe & Russ of Iron Mountain, to train to be a Data Specialist, Shennell joined the team close to Canning Town.  Learning the processes quickly, Shennell showed her commitment and focus from the start resulting in an excellent first appraisal, followed by the offer to start paid employment from 29 June instead of 27 July!

 

Alex at work

Alex looking every inch the manager not a Growing Talent Associate!

 

Alex had a passion to join the Army from a young age.  His dad didn’t share his plan.  At the age of 16 when Alex wanted to join but needed parental consent, his dad said no.  So he carried on with studies etc before raising the issue again at 18, thinking he no longer needed his dad’s position. However, living at home means parents rule!

 

So job searching commenced with little success.  This is often the case when we can’t follow our passion.  What role would suit us?  What company do we want to work for?

 

Alex secured some work experience with his local JobCentre.  Impressing the Employment Coaches with his tenacity, they put him forward to Growing Talent.  Alex won offers from a few companies with roles ranging from administration, mailroom to data specialist.  His older brother had worked at Iron Mountain previously and Alex was particularly attracted to their offer of Data specialist.

 

Like Shennell, he impressed Iron Mountain and has also started paid employment four weeks early.  Russ, their line manager is still freeing them up to attend the Holistic Week commencing 22 June when personal finance, fitness, nutrition and mental health first aid will be delivered.

 

‘Everyone’s a winner’ – as I believe Hot chocolate once sang!

 

 

ENEI – Great News!

Heard last night that Growing Talent has been shortlisted for an ENEI (Employers Network for Equality & Inclusion) award in their Community Impact category.  Winners will be announced at the Law Society on 14 July 2015!

It’s strange to think when I wrote the entry back in March, 20 people had gone through Growing Talent and secured permanent jobs.  By the time the announcements come round, it will be 41!

It is a great encouragement to the employers who have been involved including Harrow Green, Iron Mountain, Pertemps, Aramark, Baxter Storey, Mitie, Portico, MHFA, Red Personnel, Sheridan Maine, Network Compucare, Honeywell, UpTownOil, JobCentre Plus’s management team and of course PwC to continue, grow and develop Growing Talent over the coming months and years.

Any awards won endorse the programme and encourage others to get involved.  Coupled with the online advertising on Daily Mail, Telegraph and Guardian websites through the month of June and the Evening Standard feature – which I’m now told will be published on 11 June – the word is definitely spreading!

The story in pictures………………

team

Comfort, Sophia, Holly & Jason – pilot

20140814_165445

Mikele, Jordan, Nirosana, Sholape, Anthony, Chris, Samick, James & Caroline – 2nd programme

Stairs 2 Latimer

Andy, Matt, Kavita, Mo, Madi, Ariane & David – 3rd programme

cropped group

Michael, Kit, Selwyn, Kaith, Daoud, Joshua, Sinead, Michell, Max, Jane, Courtney & Jess – 4th programme

Chris and the guys

Gavin, Chris (now a presenter!)Alenchenu, Jose, Bradley, Camilla, Shanika, Reese, Alex, Shennell, Jason & Reece – 5th programme

Whirlwind of Visits Last Week!

In amongst the usual order of business last week including a VETs (Veterans Employment Transition) meeting in Canary Wharf, discussion for the annual  Growing Talent graduation ceremony in November and a meeting with a leading facilities company on ideas for a mental health/wellbeing training programme, were three site visits to see how some Growing Talent Associates were getting on.

mhfa

Based in Old Street, London, MHFA is a niche organisation leading the way in mental health first aid training and awareness.  Part of the global family of MHFA which is now in over 20 countries globally, they were looking for an enthused person to join the team in data entry/admin duties and decided to put the vacancy through Growing Talent.  Reece Newton was selected by Gillian and Emma from MHFA’s central team to join them.

 

Reece and Gillian

Two weeks in, I was keen to find out how Reece was getting on – seen above with Gillian – at MHFA’s offices.  Unfortunately, the directions I’d given Reece were pretty useless as a lot of building work had gone on since my last visit!  So after a stressful start trying to the find the office, Reece soon settled into the team.  So far he’s printed and checked over 800 Mental Health First Aid Certificates, worked on the database ensuring records are uptodate and general office duties.  Completely different to his previous retail experience, Reece is so far loving the challenge – and the commute!

 

mitie

Over to PwC’s offices at Embankment Place to see Alenchenu working with the five strong rapid team which includes David Calloway from Growing Talent 4!  Alenchenu is settling in well.  He’s already absorbed the processes for tracking and delivering packages throughout the building – not as easy as you might think!  He’s already making plans for when he secures the permanent job.  First on his list is independence!  He’s keen to get his own place.  Next is evening college to focus on courses to aid his ultimate dream job – robotics prosthetics. Alenchenu is enjoying the role so far and getting on well with the team.

Alenchenu EP

My final visit was to Camilla at Portico seen below with one of the Portico managers – Gary Grant………

 

Gary and Camilla

 

Looking the consumate professional in her Portico uniform, Camilla looks as though she has worked at PwC’s More London offices for years!  Michal – Team Leader and Marcia – Floor Manager, below, agreed Camilla has not only worked hard to support the team, she has learnt the meeting room operations quickly, staying late to aid events and been positively enthused throughout.

 

Marci and Michael

This week, Camilla is in the sun with her family celebrating her mum’s 50th.  On her return Marcia and Michal plan to give Camilla the diverse experience of a floor assistant.  Camilla has enjoyed Growing Talent so far and looks forward to what lies ahead……………

 

With plans for an advertorial in the Evening Standard and  a month long banner ad campaign on line, hopefully Growing Talent will grow and grow!

Growing Talent 5 – What’s The Status?

Well after a prolific pre-screening programme back in April, leading employers including Mitie, Harrow Green, Iron Mountain, Portico and MHFA selected 11 to join them on the Growing Talent journey.

 

Jason, Bradley & Gavin went into operations roles with Harrow Green,  the leading business relocation organisation, who also took Shanika in a Customer Service role and Jose who has joined their HR team.

 

Trev and co

 

(l-r: Trev, Shanika, Sharon & Jose)

At the point of employment on completion, Jason, Bradley & Gareth will be skills multi operations assistants with a solid career path ahead of them.  Jason is already learning the tablet technology and has his sights set on installation.

 

Shankia had only retail experience and was a little worried on the office environment.  She need not have worried!  The team already feel she’s been there forever and is like a sponge when it comes to learning.  She is enthused and supportive with a strong focus on customer satisfaction.  The end job within the team will call for extensive liaison on the phone, in person whilst keeping a cool head in solution sourcing.

 

Jose was born and brought up in Maderia.  A strong trait of self-sufficiency saw Jose relocate to the UK a few years back to learn English.  His career had largely been spent in hospitality. but a natural passion for people and business saw him undertake evening studies in CIPD HR.  Working closely with the new HR Manager, Jose has a new project to deliver though idea, design, testing, launch, training.

 

Mr Reece Worrell joined the Mitie team in the archiving department.  The team look after all the information, records, contracts etc of a global financial firm.  Better than Reece 1 & 2 is the use of ‘Mister’ – not a note of favouritism!

 

Mr Reece Newton was selected by Gillian and Emma to join their small but industrious team at MHFAEngland based in Old Street in the role of Admin Assistant.  Reece was initially nervous – taking time to make sure his work was accurate – especially when it came to producing the First Aider Certificates!

Gillian, Reece, Simon

Gillian from MHFAEngland with Reece and Simon – Portico.

 

Pauline spotted Alenchenu’s potential to sine in her team at Mitie Service Solutions.  As part of the Rapids team, Alenchenu has to ensure all deliveries of urgent items reach their destination efficiently.  Not as easy as you might think!  These items can be high value documents or personal IT goods. Based in the Charing Cross area, Alenchenu is looking forward to the end role and promotion prospects!

 

Iron Mountain choose Shennell and Alex to join their data entry team in East London.  Shennell is on a year’s break from her University course in Psychology and Criminology.  Having done summer and part-time roles, Shennell wanted something which would give her options.  She has settled in well and is on course to secure a flexible job to turn into a career when she’s ready.  Alex, quiet by nature,

 

Camilla was selected to join the Executive Welcome team with Portico working at global organisations in central London.  This role is highly visible and customer facing.  Responsible for meet and greet, direction, meeting room set-up, client safety on site, inter departmental liaison the Executive Welcome team work with all levels of personnel including Board.  Camilla has embraced the challenge and is working very well.  Simon, MD of Portico and Jordan, Welcome Team Executive – also Growing Talent Associate on the 2nd programme! – were judges on the Social Enterprise idea, the flagship workshop of the Orientation Week.

Simon Camilla Jordan

 

Camilla won the Social Enterprise Challenge with her idea – Renaissance House.  Seen below receiving her cup from Jon or PwC

 

Camila and Jon

 

The guys have all been on site for a week now and starting to get used to the routine of employment.  Each have gone into roles open minded and hungry to learn.  They are doing well and initial reports are encouraging.  

Watch this space to see how the guys progress over the coming weeks……………..

‘So rare – people were laughing and joking together…………….’

I love it when employers I work with are impressed and surprised by the work I do.  This week has been full-on diversity of tasks.

On Monday we had the initial assessments for the next round of Growing Talent – over 45 attendees met with managers from global and national employers.  The five tasks included:

  • Sell yourself on Google – 2 minute sales pitch
  • Follow a process – with a hidden trick!
  • Sell a famous person into a job
  • Debate a contentious issue giving a conclusion as a team
  • Truth & vision – pick one true attribute and one power you would like

Ice was broken.  I’m not sure who was more nervous at the start, the unemployed attendees or the employers!  Great to hear things like ‘that was fun’, ‘I’ve never witnessed anything like this at any assessment day – everyone laughing and joking together’.

I’ve always found it strange in the 20+ years I’ve spent in recruitment and we still cling to recruiting staff in the same way.  We never find out their personality, skills or potential until we’ve employed them.  Growing Talent enables each side to know the other before an employment offer is made delivering commitment and longevity.

Yesterday was spent delivering a 3 hour power house workshop to a national front of house hospitality organisation.  A room full of managers with their minds on their increasing in-trays back at the office.  The core ‘want’ in the room was to learn more about the delicate subject of mental health.  How to approach and support staff and when to escalate to HR/Occupational Health.

Stress levels almost increased for me when I discovered the screen had a HDMI cable not the old style pin connector.  Luckily an old connector was found.  Note to self – upgrade equipment!!!

The room was hot and small – not a great combination for training.  However, the time flew by.  Conversation flowed as did the interaction and contribution of all managers.

At the end of the session, I was really pleased to see all evaluations had been marked ‘good’ – the top score!  Some additional comments:

‘I thought the content was really good and I feel more confident on this issue.’

‘I learnt how to talk to staff about mental health in the workplace’

‘Really informative, definitely makes you look at things differently’.

‘Really good – loved the group exercises’

The end of my week will be focussed on Growing Talent with the Employers Selection on Friday.

A triumph – Friday 6 February

panel

The final day of the Orientation Week – 4th generation dawned with some trepidation from the Growing Talent Associates.  After preparation, planning, run through after run through the Social Enterprise Judging Panel had arrived!

 

Coffee and adrenaline flowed as did the nerves and bravado! at 10am the judges started to arrive – Jon Barnes – PwC, Simon Pratt – Portico, Greg Bramwell – Baxter Storey, Chloe Crudgington – Iron Mountain, Patti Sidhu – Pertemps and Jo Gadian – JCP.  Armed with score sheets, questions and feedback, the panel listed intently to the three ideas:

 

A Better Place was the first to go.  Sinead, Michael and Joshua delivered a sensitive presentation on rape and the social stigma for all involved.  Next up was Growing Hope a knit of ideas based on the individual interests of Maxine – allotments, Daoud – football coaching, Jessica – dance classes for all ages and abilities and Selwyn in charge of transport.  The third presentation by Kit, Jane, Courtney and Kaith was to develop a unified bike scheme in Ealing.

 

The panel had five minutes to decide the winning idea – but took over 20 – such was the calibre!  Finally A Better Place was announced as the overall winner and Jon presented silver cups to team members.

 

winners 2

 

Some judges comments taken from their score sheets include:  ‘engaged immediately- great presentation’, ‘professional and passionate’, ‘great team support for each other’.  To think the Growing Talent Associates had only known each other for a few short days!

 

Comments from the Associates themselves reflecting on Growing Talent so far:

‘Job seeking really knocks your confidence, so this is a great way to build people up again and make them feel worthy of work’

‘I am very happy to be on this programme, I feel very positive about the future’

‘Brilliant’

‘Great scheme’

‘I hope it continues’

‘Thank you for this great opportunity’

‘This scheme is brilliant – it helps us gain confidence’

‘Fantastic organisation and inspiring Growing Talent should replace all JobCentres’

‘This scheme has helped me and I know it has helped others’

‘This is a fantastic experience.  It’s a really good way of gaining confidence and getting doors open for the future which we don’t usually believe can happen.’

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