Birmingham City Centre – opportunity could be knocking for you….

Times are tough.

For employers, time is money.  Spending their time wisely can gain them financial added value in the future.

For the unemployed time spent looking for a job they can grow into a career, can weigh heavy on them.  The longer they are unemployed, the more invisible they can feel.

Growing Talent is coming to Birmingham City Centre in February.

What does that mean for employers and the unemployed?

Our 10 year track record of success, tells me the difference Growing Talent can make to the businesses and people of Birmingham can be mind blowing!

Let’s take a closer look at some key highlights:

Funded by private business.  We are not dependent on Government, local authority, JobCentre Plus nor charity funding.  Which means when those entities are under financial pressure, Growing Talent is not! In addition, we can collaborate without any organisation  we are working with feel they are at risk of  ‘ double funding’.

Disrupted traditional recruitment tools.  How can you showcase your skills, ability and future potential to an employer when your self-esteem is through the floor because you are unemployed? That is of course if your cv/application form gets you an interview. 

Equally, how much hidden talent are employers missing because they can’t see the hidden talent within? Either from a cv their sifting software has missed because key ‘buzz’ words were missing or because the person sitting in front of them was overwhelmed with imposter syndrome they could hardly speak?    Therefore, we’ve banned resumes and formal interviews.  Instead, we have speed dating and 1-2-1 chats.

Mentoring – How often do employers get a mentor for the journey their new recruit is with them? I don’t just mean the initial period of onboarding where a portion of any recruitment fee paid can be refunded. I mean for the months and years that employer wants to keep their mentor connection. At no cost of course.

Equally, how often does the unemployed applicant get a free mentor to guide and encourage them through the process of Growing Talent and beyond if they are selected for an opportunity by an employer? We have mentored people long after they have secured their role and developed their careers.

Unique collaboration – from day one, we have collaborated with diverse organisations giving their local communities access to opportunities they wouldn’t usually have gained in a traditional recruitment route.  Resources and expertise are shared so that no one feels alone. JobCentre Plus has been a steadfast collaborator of Growing Talent since day 1.

Higher retention – our robust orientation and holistic week ensures new talent already feel empowered and have a sense of belonging with their new employer before they step on site. This gives a solid foundation for the employer/employee relationship to grow. 

Confident, risk free – what’s not to like?  Our unique collaboration enables both employers and new talent to know the match is right for them before formal hiring.  There is no financial hardship for the new talent who retain their benefits, has their travel paid by JobCentre Plus, gains life and workplace skills as well as an accredited qualification in mind health in line with ISO45003 and is paid by the employer for the in-role mutual evaluation period of the ring-fenced permanent job on offer.

So, really, what is not to like?  Applicants are over 18 (no upper age limit), have right to work documents or Government issued share code in place and are able to undertake a permanent role.  

Participation is neither automatic nor mandatory,  But if the match is right, what magic can be made!

Deadlines:

 Employers, register your interest by 15 February.

Unemployed applicants able to travel to Birmingham City Centre – register your interest by 21 February 2024.

What do you think?

Now this might see an odd post for this platform, but stay with me. I’m not just talking about bins!

I’ve just dropped someone at our local station and was amazed at the amount of people in all types of housing locally – affluent and affordable – who put their bins, paper recycling and food waste out ready for collection last night.

They did this knowing there were powerful storm winds around and, in our area, collections don’t start until late morning.

Result of this behaviour, drivers had to dodge various bins and debris across the road.

An accident will likely happen as drivers try to avoid these hazards. In addition – who is going to pick-up the litter/food waste that’s blown around?

It got me thinking if this was general thoughtlessness or just don’t care attitude?

What’s the result when these behaviours reach the workplace?

Acting without thinking of the potential consequences can impact others negatively leading to friction/conflict.

If it’s a ‘just don’t care attitude’ how would you feel if others mirrored your behaviour to you?

What do you think?

Are we becoming more thoughtless or just don’t care?

Growing Talent Arrives in Birmingham!

Currently unemployed?
Live in Birmingham?
Able to get to the City Centre?
Over 18 ? (no upper age limit)
Have Right to Work documents in place or Government share code?
Want to secure a role where your employer will invest in your training and development?
Looking for a job you can grow into a career?

Why not consider applying to Growing Talent?

We are coming to Birmingham City Centre for our information and application event on 26 February 2024.

If you are interested in attending, send an email to jane@thejjc.net stating the area of Birmingham you live and the JobCentre Plus office you come under.

Alternatively, you can speak with your JobCentre/Work Coach direct.

Growing Talent is not a Government programme. You cannot be mandated to take part nor are you automatically given an opportunity.

A business funded initiative, Growing Talent brings together insightful employers, JobCentre Plus, West Midland Combined Authority, community partners and you – currently unemployed talent.

Deadline to register your interest to participate is 21 February 2024.

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

More employers!

Our collaboration with @JobCentrePlus and @WMCA in #Birmingham is growing!

@BaxterStorey and @Portico have confirmed attending @Growing_Talent’s Employer Speed Dating event at the end of February joining @PilgrimsRiskManagementGroup and @Pertemps.

If you are an employer in Birmingham and want to recruit a unique way, why not join us?

Get in touch to find out more!

Talking about stepping stones…..

We’ve all been there.

Procrastinating so much we stop ourselves doing what we really want to do.

It’s easier to stay in our comfort zone than push ourselves forward.

Our minds are naturally built to over amplify risk. When we recognise this, there are techniques we can use to re-train our minds to be the awesome, positive powerhouses they can be.

I was reminded of this today catching up with Chyna who just a few months ago was on Growing Talent terrified of stepping into the, for her, unknown world of of Corporate Security with Lasse Thiemer BA (Hons), CPP and the team at Pilgrims Risk Management Group

What a transformation in just a few short months!

Chyna shared with me she went for an internal promotion last week after encouragement from her team.

What was most powerful, for me, was hearing Chyna say even if she doesn’t get it, it will be new knowledge and experience that will take her forward. It won’t knock her confidence at all.

Many people from Abraham Lincoln, Henry Ford, Arianna Huffington, Michael Jordan and many more have all said, in one form or another ‘Failure is a stepping stone to success’ Indeed, I say it on pretty much every Growing Talent programme I run!

So why do some humans beat themselves up when things don’t go to plan? I believe it’s because minds have not been taught how to shut down procrastination.

How many prototypes did Henry Ford come up with before launching the successful Model T Ford car in 1908? Each prototype gave new knowledge on how to do it better – literally a ‘stepping stone to success’!

Be fearless like Chyna. If there is something you want to go for, don’t let your mind procrastinate. If it doesn’t work out – you will learn how to do it better next time.

Go Chyna!

Growing Talent in Birmingham!

Great meeting with Pauline @JobCentrePlus in #Birmingham along with Fiona & David #WestMidlandsCombinedAuthority this morning.

All systems go for bringing #GrowingTalent to Birmingham commencing with our applicant information session on 22 February 2024.

10 years of running #GrowingTalent in London has shown the power of collaboration. The magic that is made when #JobCentrePlus, employers, unemployed people and Growing Talent work together.

Lives are changed. Individuals become empowered. Employers gain diverse talent. Social mobility and social investment increases.

Based in Birmingham, UK and want to know more?

Contact me direct!

Shoutout to Jacqui!…..

Growing Talent is all about collaboration with employers, the unemployed, JobCentre Plus and their partners.

For 10 years, we’ve been doing things differently.

Ripping up the traditional recruitment ‘rule book’, replacing cvs and formal interviews with Employer Speed Dating and 1-2-1 meetings, we’ve seen some fabulous unemployed people step out of the shadows and shine!

Growing their confidence to not only believe in themselves but prove to be an awesome addition to their employer and team.

From the start, Carmen of Pertemps and her London team led by the dynamic duo known as Jamie and Pedro, have supported Growing Talent year on year.

Not only have they recruited multiple people into their own business training them in the niche field of recruitment, but also matched some into direct employment.

The Growing Talent collaboration has literally changed multiple lives of people from diverse social economic backgrounds, some bruised by life into jobs they’ve grown into careers and literally soared.

Now, for our planned programme in Birmingham, Jacqui who manages the Pertemps team in Birmingham is joining us.

We all keep growing – including the Growing Talent programme!

Thank you Pertemps for your awesome support and a massive shoutout to Jacqui !

@Pertemps
@Growing_Talent

Lasse & Simon – Rock Stars!

A shoutout to the legends Lasse & Simon of Pilgrims Risk Management Group!

Highly supportive employers of @Growing_Talent in London, today, they immediately agreed to participate in our planned February programme.

Unemployed people can often have a stereotypical view of the work corporate security entails and decide it is not for them without understanding the reality of the opportunities available.

It’s a myth that Corporate Security is about BRAWN!!!

The reality is so much more than many think.

A spotlight on customer service, empathy, communication, awareness of the behaviour of others, working with the team to resolve any issue to deliver a seamless service to the client, staff and visitors, and so much more.

It’s an industry which Lasse describes as open to anyone who enjoys customer service and has a willingness to learn.

Whilst he and Simon offer jobs, the diverse career opportunities within the world of security are there for the taking so you can build a long, diverse career in this industry.

You don’t need experience in Security more an interest in people and learning.

Watch this space to see how Growing Talent in Birmingham progresses!

New Year’s Eve – 2024!

A unique return flight from holiday last night highlighted to me how humans don’t always learn from experience.

As we approached Gatwick in the strong winds, mid descent, the plane suddenly pulled out of the descent and soared upwards.  The exit lights lit up. 

Condensation was visible on the inside of the cabin – not comforting after the recent flood pictures of the euro tunnel! 

A state of panic was rising amongst the passengers as the crew announced they couldn’t land and more news would follow shorty!

I’m sure I wasn’t the only one considering my last day had arrived.

The sharp intake of breath could be heard as the pilot announced they were going to try landing again.  After a very bumpy touchdown, a round of applause rang out from the passengers grateful to the nerves of steel of the crew and relief their last day had not arrived.

But then all of the above thoughts were forgotten as people unbuckled their seatbelts – before the sign went off- to be the first to get their hand luggage out of the overhead lockers – even though the doors weren’t open and no one could go anywhere!  Forget about the wait ahead to get through passport control and baggage reclaim!

Why do we rush through life without stopping to think about the impact we have on others? 

On this New Year’s Eve may you have a wonderful time with your close ones, enjoy their company, make some great memories because, for me, that’s what is really important in life.

A wonderful 2024 for you and yours.

Keep learning. Keep Growing. Keep helping others

In business we work with diverse people from all backgrounds. We may not always know what they are dealing with.

Having worked with many awesome people over the years in my professional life, it’s clear how little we are really taught about neurodiversity and neurodevelopment issues.

Yet a little awareness in these areas can make a huge difference. Whether we are working with adults living with these issues or parents whose children are going through assessment – which can take a painfully long time.

Dr Stephen Shore gave, for me, a clear message not to judge everyone the same when he said “If you’ve met one person with Autism, you’ve met one person with Autism.”

I often do short online courses to learn a little more to support those around me better. A couple of months ago I did ADHD Champion – an awareness course to learn more. I was amazed at how much I didn’t know. Leanne Maskell is a fantastic advocate for ADHD and set up the ADHDWorks charity to raise awareness.

Today I finished a three hour course on Autism Awareness run by Vital Skills. It was easy to do these courses in parts fitting in amongst my ‘day job’.

Each has given me impactful knowledge and tools to enhance my day job.

If you are looking to raise your awareness, why not check out some online learning?

ADHD Works

HSQE LIMITED – VitalSkills.co.uk

#autism

#adhd