employability skills – Learning to Action ™

Challenges – could you do the London Challenge

13 Feb 2025Jane JamesLeave a comment

After the pressure of making the employers do a spot of public speaking and share their journey to their current role as well as their top tips to impress employers, it was only fair that the awesome Growing Talent applicants stepped up too!

London Challenge demands the applicants to come up with an idea to improve London.

Imagine this….

First part is to brainstorm ideas. Then, form a team with people you didn’t know two hours before, devise the beginning, middle and end of a unique idea within 45 minutes before presenting it t the panel of employers!

Would you do it?

The employers were treated to four unique ideas.

🎯 Group 1 – Leon, Niki, Katie & Bozena
🎯 Group 2 – Kai, Iuliia, Samuel, Anita & Alex
🎯 Group 3 – James, Aboidun & Mulenga
🎯 Group 4 – Shantelle, Dejanae & Sarah

Ideas ranges from community mental health and well being, creative hubs, food and nutrition – with a community greenhouse and intelligent use of public cctv to reduce response times!

All applicants chose to return 19 February for our ‘slow dating’ event – also known as the employer first stage selection!

It’s going to be amazing!

Thanks to everyone who took part including:

SPS UK&Ireland
#IronMountain
Portico
CIS Security Limited
ISS A/S
hashtag#NGBailey
hashtag#JobCentrePlus
hashtag#DavidSteeds & teams across London
Rob Matthews (Anna)
Matthew Izekor
hashtag#SouthwarkCareLeavers
Adrienne Simpson
Adam Bushell

Doing it differently……

2 Dec 2024Jane JamesLeave a comment

Times are challenging for both employers seeking new talent to fit their business and unemployed people looking for a role they can grow into a career and close their own social mobility gap.

The introduction of higher employers NI means careful consideration of who to employ and when.

For those looking to secure employment will there be less roles to apply for?

Will there still be a need to supply a cv? – difficult with gaps caused by life’s curve balls.

Will they get a response rather than a profound silence to their applications?

If they get an interview – how are they going to overcome their lack of confidence to showcase their hidden talent and potential?

For over 10 years, Growing Talent has been enabling and empowering both sides to break through those challenges.

Mark, on the current Growing Talent, shares his experience so far in the photo shown.

We ripped up the traditional recruitment ‘rule book’. No cv. No formal job interview. No assumptions.

Growing Talent puts employers and those seeking work on a level, ‘uncomfortable’ playing field.

At our in-person getting to know you event, employers have to stand and deliver a talk on their own journey to their role (no notes), give a clear insight into their company and role they are recruiting for. Whilst they go for a refreshment break, everyone else is put into small groups to devise an idea to improve London. Would you be able to do this after just 1 hour working with people you had not met before? The employers return and listen to the innovative ideas before networking together over juice and nibbles.

Each gets to know the other much more confidently than a cv or formal job interview would ever deliver. This makes the recruitment stage experience (slow dating and 1-2-1s) more fun and raises the confidence of all.

Sponsored by business (thanks Allen and Adam), there is no risk of ‘double funding’ enabling charities and community partners to collaborate with us without risk to their funding.

JobCentre Plus, led by David Steeds Rob Matthews (Anna) and their team across London support their customers on their Growing Talent journey.

We know Growing Talent works. We can prove it works.

Are you in?

Next programme opens mid-January 2025.

Rob Matthews (Anna)

Who hates Mondays?

15 Oct 2024Jane JamesLeave a comment

Many in the wrong job will know that Sunday night feeling of dread.

Boomtown Rats had a No 1 hit about this very subject back in ’79.

At Growing Talent – we LOVED this Monday! Our 38th Employer Speed Dating event – aka 1st mutual stage selection.

Uniquely, this followed an in-depth ‘getting to know you’ event held for the first time last week – so there was already a connection between candidates and employers. Takes the heat out of nerves a little.

Conversation flowed. As did the laughter and smiles. Who thought recruitment could be this much fun?

In small groups, Antoinette, Dejanae, Elizabeth, Filsan, Hosil, Luliia, Leena, Mark, Jibrail, Niketa, Rahime, Riaz, Sarah & Yohana met the employers again from SPS CIS Security Limited #NGBailey, ISS A/S & Portico to get to know each other a little more.

Feedback on the new format from employers and candidates was 100% positive – so it’s a keeper!

Next steps are currently being decided by the employers – so the suspense for our awesome candidates continues a little longer.

A huge thanks to our employers for giving their time to be part of Growing Talent including Daisy Dean-Grundy, Stacey Walker, Bernie, Lois Collins Tom & Soraya, Alison Compton & Rakesh Joshi, Gemma & Nikki, Gina & David, Lillian, Nid & David from NG Bailey – also Phil and Esther who joined in the fun for a while.

How amazing for the new partner at our sponsors Alex to make diary time to come along with Adam Bushell to see Growing Talent in action! Thank you!

Check back to see what happens next!

Thanks also to the cheerleaders at JobCentre Plus and Southwark Care Leavers

David Steeds

Rob Matthews (Anna)

Matthew Izekor

Growing Talent Arrives in Birmingham!

18 Jan 2024Jane JamesLeave a comment

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

Shoutout to Jacqui!…..

10 Jan 2024Jane JamesLeave a comment

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

GT35 – next stage commenced today….

13 Nov 2023Jane JamesLeave a comment

Our final Growing Talent programme of 2023 reached the next stage with the commencement of the Orientation and Holistic Week.

As a result of employer requests, Gabriel has found himself in the unique position of being the only one on this section of the programme. The first time this has happened in 10 years Growing Talent has been running!

Rising to the challenge of collaboration a different way, Gabriel has embraced this unique experience which ended today with a meeting with Lauren – his soon to be line manager!

Still smiling and laughing – that’s a great sign of things to come!

With Workplace nailed, tomorrow we commence the Holistic section.

More learning, sharing and collaboration ahead….

The road of opportunity is open for some….

31 Oct 2023Jane JamesLeave a comment

What an awesome Employer Speed Dating event – 1st stage selection on Growing Talent today.

Hosted by our funders close to London Bridge we had five amazing employer teams and over 30 hugely talented, but currently unemployed people looking for their next opportunity.

The road to new opportunities has started.

What will be the outcome? Watch this space!

Huge thanks to the applicants who overcome their nerves to come along today – lots of laughter in the room indicates the experience wasn’t as bad as first expected!

Initial thoughts from one of these amazing people:

“I wanted to express my gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the dynamic recruitment session and networking event. It was truly an enriching experience, and I’m thankful for the chance to engage with such a talented group of individuals.

I thoroughly enjoyed the session and the chance to network with professionals in different fields. It was not only informative but also inspiring. I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead.

Thank you for your support and for making this event possible. I look forward to the future and the potential it holds.

If you ever need an assistant in your workshop count me in. 😊”

Isn’t that awesome?

Massive thanks to our awesome employer teams this time around:

Master-Fix Properties – Martin
Pilgrims Risk Management – Lasse, Tia & James
SPS UK & Ireland – Lois & Bob
Pertemps – Sharaz & Jamie
Honeywell – Lauren & Andra

What a change, what a change, what a mighty fine change…………….

27 Oct 2023Jane JamesLeave a comment

Amongst the employers attending @Growing_Talent’s 35th Employer Speed Dating event on 31.10.23 will be Haj joining her colleagues from @Pertemps and Tia joining her colleagues from @PilgrimsRiskManagementGroup.

Both joined their employers via the Growing Talent programme, now they are involved in giving others the opportunity they had.

How awesome is that?

The power of a chance to change…..

27 Oct 2023Jane JamesLeave a comment

A chance to change for some willing to take the leap into the unknown has arrived!

The 35th Employer Speed Dating event on Growing Talent takes place Tuesday 31 October in London

Weeks of preparation have led up to this point. Information sessions, job fairs, marketing on social media – not my strongest attribute!!! – completion of registration forms, security, hospitality and venue arrangements just to name a few things.

Of course none of this would be possible without our funders, the work coaches in JobCentre Plus – passionate to support some of their customers into jobs a different way – the customers themselves taking that leap of faith to go through a recruitment process that doesn’t involve a cv or traditional interview and the trailblazing employers willing and open minded to seek their new talent in a unique way.

34 hugely talented, but currently unemployed people are invited to our event on Tuesday.

What will the outcome be? You’ll need to check back to find out!

David Steeds
Pilgrims Risk Management Group
Honeywell
Masterfix GB Limited
Pertemps Network Group
SPS

LIMITLESS – AREN’T WE ALL?

3 Oct 2023Jane JamesLeave a comment

Last Friday, I spoke with Chyna who is on the @Growing_Talent journey with Pilgrims Group.

She is an inspiration for all unemployed people dealing with that very loud voice of self-doubt struggling to get into work.

Apart from the ebb and flow of self doubt at each stage of @Growing_Talent – she conquered that voice, pushed through the fear, completed her SIA licence and is now ready to go on site with her employer team at Pilgrims Group in London.

Self doubt didn’t stop her. Nor did Covid!

Now Chyna knows her ability is LIMITLESS!

Whatever the future holds for Chyna, she knows she will nail it!

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?