Deliberation time for employers following our Employer Speed dating session this morning…

1 Aug 2023Jane JamesLeave a comment

What a morning!

Around forty enthused, slightly nervous, currently unemployed, talented people joined our event not too sure what was going to happen.

A level playing field as some of our employers were new and had no idea how things would work either!

Prior to the employers arriving, we had an hour networking session. It’s tough to speak with strangers. It’s easier to blend into the background. Not on Growing Talent!!!! People were supported to step out of the shadows they preferred to stay in and step into the light, talking about themselves and learning about others on the same journey as them.

As the employers arrived and got settled with Anna and Jill from JobCentre Plus – seen in the feature photo above, we moved into a seminar room to go over the finer points and sent the volume skywards as we recognised how much talent was in the room – loudly. Apologies to the internal meeting going on next door!!!!

As you can see from the action shot above everyone enthusiastically chatted to the employers from different industries learning about each other as they went around the room.

So now the employers have time to deliberate who they would like to invite to the next stage – 1-2-1 meetings on their sites.

We were lucky to have some observers drop in and say ‘hello’ including Nigel and Allen from our funders and Tevin and Jenny from Ingeus.

But what did the applicants think as Growing Talent is so far away from traditional recruitment?

“I loved it. It’s really different”

“There’s jobs here I’m interested in but never though I would be”

“Thanks for inviting me, I’m so glad I came”

Check back to see who is going on their Growing Talent journey!

A massive thanks to our awesome employers, who all said they’d seem some ‘gems’:

Lasse and Tam @PilgrimsGroup

Jamie and Sharaz @Pertemps

Anne-Marie, Will and Rikpal @BreyerGroup

Lauren, Paul and awesome team member @Honeywell

Stace, Holy, Antonio, Jonathan, Darren and Katherine @SPSUKandIreland

Toni and Dana @WSHGroup #Portico #BaxterStorey

Mark and his awesome logistics team #Honeywell for being flexible and supportive with my last minute changes!!!!!

For me, the highlight was see a number of applicants who’d walked in not knowing anyone with their heads down a little unsure and walked out laughing, heads high, talking about their experience – just fabulous!

Opportunity is knocking today for some!

1 Aug 2023Jane JamesLeave a comment

After weeks of preparation and collaboration with #JobCentrePlus, #Ingeus, #HaveringWorks #YouthBuild, #Heretoga and #BreyerGroup our first stage selection by employers has arrived!

Today, 53 unemployed people have been invited to our London event to meet some inspiring employers with the insight to recruit a different way.

Who needs cvs, job descriptions and recruitment interview scripts? Growing Talent does things differently and the results, for many, have been life changing.

Our collaborative employers this time around are:

BreyerGroup, #Honeywell, #Pertemps, #PilgrimsRiskManagement, #SPSUKandIreland, #WSHGroup – #Portico and #BaxterStorey who will meet some hidden talent to consider for their roles this morning.

Going on our track record, some amazing stories will begin today. Check back to learn what they are!

A big thank you to #AnnaM and #JillF from @JobCentrePlus for their support over the years at our speed dating events – which start off very quietly and rise in volume as confidence grows, laughter rises and connections are made.

The Results are in for stage one ……………

26 Jul 2023Jane JamesLeave a comment

Collaboration with #JobCentrePlus #HaveringWorks #Ingeus #Heretoga #BreyerGroup#YouthBuild over the past few weeks saw over 80 people join @Growing_Talent info session.

After reaching the deadline for applications today, we have 53 currently unemployed people with hidden talent going forward to meet our insightful employers taking part this time:

baxterstorey #BreyerGroup #honeywell #pertemps #pilgrims #portico and #SPSUK&Ireland

The power of collaboration!

One Team Advocates – what a powerhouse!

14 Jul 2023Jane JamesLeave a comment

After weeks of anticipation, the new Advocates of a global Firm’s One Team have been selected.

Today sees them commence a weekly programme of discussion and learning to enhance existing skills to be trailblazing Advocates – what every workplace needs!

Today is our inaugural session where we will share our thoughts, views and aspirations on the planned programme I’ve designed.

When everyone’s voice is heard, the connections are stronger delivering the desired results!

One wellbeing training for all?

14 Jul 2023Jane JamesLeave a comment

Training should be effective, impactful, deliver life long skills, be uniformed in delivery for the employer – globally as well as nationally – and of course in these times be cost efficient.

But, in reality is it?

Some wellbeing courses are named in such a way that employers believe they are buying an accredited programme that makes their delegates ‘First Aiders’ in Mental Health. The course itself is not accredited but a bolt on, electronic 40 questionnaire gives a trademark ‘First Aider’ status if a minimum of 30 questions are correctly answered – lifelong status!

Having been an Instructor in a variety of well-known mental health and wellbeing courses over the years, I-Act is, in my opinion, head and shoulders above the rest. Here’s why:

It……

Teaches critical proactive techniques to build mind muscle delivering the resilience to support self and others.
Explores how to start and manage conversations involving emotions encompassing validation, reassurance, signposting as well as exploring boundary statements to stay safe as a listener
The actual four hour course is accredited by the Royal College of Psychiatrists – no bolt on required
3 Year life span of accreditation ensures optimum knowledge remains in place through refreshers
3 CPD points which counts towards higher education applications
Utilises tools by Health and Safety Executive including the six management pillars
Gives insight into conditions which affect wellbeing – including autism, adhd, developmental issues, learning diversity, menopause
Global – same Instructor can deliver nationally and globally delivering uniform experience
Robust 168 page manual – also available electronically – for onward reflection and absorption
Designed for the workplace – useable in any setting
In line with International Standards ISO45003

In the image, University academic and operational staff alongside students and all levels of management from a manufacturing organisation are featured.

What were some of their thoughts?

“I will have much more confidence if someone comes to me with mental health issues.”

“It has highlighted the importance of my own self-care. I will change my ways and allow more time in my day for this”

“Really practical tools that can be used everyday for myself and when speaking with colleagues/students”

“I’m going to make a real effort to introduce the 2 minute ‘fun windows’ into my daily routine”

“A perfect course”

“It gave great insight into mental health/mental illness in simple, easy to follow terms”

“Eye opening, informative, ensures clear guidance for managers to follow in these situations”

“Thank you very much for providing such an informative session about self-care, the causes and effects of mental illness and how one can discuss with people potentially facing such issues.”

“I used to ask my team how they were as I walked past them. Amongst everything else I learned, I will now stop and wait for an answer”

If you are considering mental health and wellbeing for your teams – make sure it will deliver the goals you want.

If you are interested in I-Act for your business, why not contact me for an exploratory chat?

Growing Talent – Unity, Strength & Diversity….

10 Jul 2023Jane JamesLeave a comment

What keeps Growing Talent relevant after 9+ years?

🎇 Content keeps evolving?
🎇 Structure and format is continually reviewed?
🎇 It’s inclusive?
🎇 Unique applicants every time?
🎇 A robust audit trail to evaluate progress and empower participants?
🎇 Disruption of traditional recruitment practices?
🎇 A mutual test drive to ensure a confident fit?
🎇 Robust pre-onboarding enhances retention?
🎇 Life skills and accredited mental health and wellbeing in line with ISO45003
🎇 Funded by business not Government?
🎇 Completely free for employers to find unique, diverse local talent?
🎇 Mentor assigned for employers and participants?
🎇 Collaboration – employers, unemployed, JobCentre Plus, YouthBuild, Heretoga Ltd, Southwark Care Leavers, Ingeus and Growing Talent?

I’d say ‘yes’ to all of the above – but, for me, it’s the people and their passion across the whole collaboration that makes Growing Talent more relevant today than ever before.

In addition to the great chat with Izzy from Heretoga this morning, a fabulous way to end the day was a chat with Mike and some of his team from Ingeus.

So much passion and drive to get people into work – the energy is contagious!

On behalf of the lives we will change on Growing Talent34 – thank you to everyone involved. 👏 👏 👏 – take a bow.

David Steeds Rob Matthews YOUTHBUILD UK (YBUK)Ingeus HERETOGA LTD Liz Obertelli MIEP #MatthewIzekor

Special thanks to our employers past and present including this round:

BaxterStorey
Breyer Group
Honeywell
Pertemps Network Group
Pilgrims Risk Management Group
Portico
SPS

Employers based in London – you have until the 14 July to get involved!

#business #work #collaboration #recruitment #people #team #content #network #energy #london #riskmanagement #wellbeing #audit

London calling! – employers, recruit a different way – look at the benefits:

6 Jun 2023Jane JamesLeave a comment

Can London-based employers afford to ignore this unique opportunity to identify, grow and hire new talent?

At @Growing_Talent we’ve ripped up the traditional recruitment rule book.

Our selection process involves speed dating, a 1-2-1 meeting and minimum four week in role mutual evaluation removing assumptions whilst delivering confident matches.

With almost 10 years history of success on our collaborative journey, almost 200 people from diverse backgrounds have secured roles they have since grown into amazing careers.

Every employer who has taken part, said they would not have recruited their talent via traditional recruitment methods.

Our next @Growing_Talent is open. Deadline for employers to say they wish to fish in our talent pool is close of business 14 July 2023.

Why not DM me for more information on how Growing Talent could work for you?

One programme to deliver for all…..

31 May 2023Jane JamesLeave a comment

…Talking about a proactive mental health and wellbeing programme which delivers first responder steps, is accredited, delivers 3CPD points is available in 11 different languages – why would employers choose anything less?

No, I don’t know the answer!

Do they think other programmes deliver more? Have they done a comparison? What is their goal in rolling out mental health and well being training – just a tick in the box? or do they want to really make a difference to their employees and business?

Without answering these questions, the wrong choice will be made.

Early this morning, I had the pleasure to work with delegates based at diverse locations from the same global employer on their journey to become in-house #I-Act instructors. At the end of our session, all became accredited in the manager version of I-act and continue their Instructor training.

I-Act Managing and Promoting Positive Mental Health and Wellbeing can be delivered to global employees at the same time. No need for country licences. All get a uniform experience enhanced by learning what is going on in different countries within their business from peers.

There is a non-managers version available for those who do not manage others – delivering the same critical steps. Understanding and Promoting Positive Mental Health and Wellbeing delivers accreditation as an I-Act Practitioner.

Delivering the lifelong knowledge of how to instigate personal, non-negotiable pro active self-care into hectic schedules across different cultures along with the critical first responder steps of how to start, manage and end conversations with team members who may be experiencing challenging emotional thoughts whilst setting personal boundaries to stay safe was interactive and inspiring.

Employers looking to secure an effective training programme in this critical field of workplace psychological safety – checkout how I-act can benefit you, your employees and business.

Contact me to learn more…..

People are unique – their training should be too!….

19 May 2023Jane JamesLeave a comment

Excited to be devising a new 8 week programme for a team of people who will be looking after teams across multiple supply chains.

First programme draft in for discussion!

In the melting pot to be considered is:

How do you impact others? Do you really know?
Make your connections better
Identify your conflict styles – do they change in different situations?
Don’t focus on what you think is the obvious!
Putting you first!
I-Act Managing and Promoting Positive Mental Health and Wellbeing – global accredited course
Conversation work book – consider what to say and how to say it
What words? Use effective words when building sentences to connect with someone

Who knows where we’ll end up. A regular forum of support, maybe additional training – the options are endless!

I am always inspired working with clients who recognise the power of collaborative training for their greatest asset who are always willing to disrupt the norm. #inspiring #energising

Watch this space!

A word from Wing……..

19 May 2023Jane JamesLeave a comment

Having completed Growing Talent and been part of the permanent team for a while now, has the ‘shine’ worn off for Wing….?

Clearly not! Wing embraced the opportunity of Growing Talent from the start. Even though it’s completely different to ‘traditional recruitment’ and the usual requirements of a cv, formal interview, previous experience etc etc….

Always smiling, positive and an encouraging support for his peers on the Growing Talent journey with him, it’s inspiring to hear how well things are going for Wing.

Learning to Action ™

Training builds awareness. Implementation delivers lasting change.

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