employability skills

This is the best workplace mental health and wellbeing course I deliver….

Jane JamesLeave a comment

I have delivered multiple mental health and wellbeing licences courses for clients keen to empower their teams in this critical area.

The introduction of ISO45003 – psychological safety in the workplace – in September 2021, coupled with the legacy of Covid left on many has seen an increase of interest in this area.

But how many organisations continue to keep engaging non-accredited, reactive, non-global uniformed programmes because:

  • It’s the product they’ve always used – (without exploring if it worked maybe?)
  • The product has ‘First Aider’ in the title (without evaluating if the resulting knowledge makes someone capable of being a ‘First Aider’)

I-act training is, by comparison, head and shoulders above the competition in this field, in my opinion. It delivers so much more, including:

  • Global delivery virtually – delivering uniform knowledge with local support resources
  • Accredited by the Royal College of Psychiatrists
  • Carried CPD points
  • Training in over 50 tools for proactive self care that can be used reactively on someone experiencing emotional pain
  • Robust manual for onward learning
  • Access to resources, news, films as well as international news in this field for the entire 3 years accreditation
  • Bespoke course for managers – which includes legal responsibilities
  • Bespoke course for non-managers

The feature picture above shows a recent group of newly accredited Practitioners from a leading UK University. An additional consideration for their commissioning organisation was the fact this accredited course would give them the ‘edge’ in their career search as a key differentiator. A great session sharing & learning together critical, accredited life skills for the workplace and beyond!

Learning proactive mind muscle building techniques ensures we are better able to look after ourselves as well as those around us.

What’s not to like?

Why would employers choose anything less for their most valuable asset?

If you are interested to learn what difference this training could make to your employees, why not contact me direct to find out more….?

Thanks Linzi & Carolyn….

Jane JamesLeave a comment

An amazing, energised webinar this morning arranged and hosted by Linzi and Carolyn of Military Coworking Network to introduce Military Reboot.

This awesome organisation set-up for and run by partners of serving armed forces personnel to empower them to have independent professional lives alongside their military life.

Military Reboot aligns well with this mission. Collaborating together on a week long journey of workshops including finance, wellbeing, nutrition, communication, assertiveness, and the accredited, global @ Iact_training course. Coupled with robust manuals for onward learning, Military Reboot’s goal is to empower, reveal and release that hidden, sometimes invisible talent all partners have..

Lots of interaction from the audience, especially Lucy and Vikki.

Our inaugural programme commences 16 January 2023.

Deadline for applications is 2.1.2023. If you are a partner of someone serving in our Armed Forces – why not take up this free opportunity?

Run-up to Growing Talent’s Relaunch – January 2023!

Jane JamesLeave a comment

Fantastic meeting today re-connecting with employers who recruited prolifically in the early years of Growing Talent with many of the then hidden talent they brought into their businesses, still flourishing there years later!

New recruitment gurus – Ed looking after Baxter Storey’s talent and Laura, leading Portico and Searcy’s recruitment, we explored the ethos of Growing Talent and it’s alignment with the integrity, nurturing and social mobility core of Ed and Laura’s respective companies.




Looking forward to the relaunch event on 16 January 2023. If you are an employer, based in London, contact us to find out more.

The power of building mind muscle!

Jane JamesLeave a comment

I’ve been working on a new project for a number of weeks focussing on collaborative empowering of the spouses, partners and adult children of currently serving UK Armed Forces personnel.

The Armed Forces in the UK, rightly, have the spotlight of support and training on them. They have taken the decision to protect the UK’s security.

The power behind them, did not. Without strong families supporting their loved ones, who are also our Armed Forces personnel, they can’t completely focus on their role.

But what about that often invisible power? Who puts the spotlight of empowerment on them?

On meeting Carolyn and Linzi from Military CoWorking Network, I discovered a kindred passion for the same thing. The organisation is run by spouses and partners of all Armed Forces for their peers. With classrooms on military bases to virtual workshops, all kinds of inspiring training is delivered.

The Military Reboot page on this website gives more detail on this exciting niche area.

Military CoWorking Network are hosting a webinar towards the end of November for their membership where I will share the content of Military Reboot and the planned start date in January.

Sneak Peak!……..

This morning was a rollercoaster of emotions – mainly frustration! – that arrives from trying to compile an information video to introduce Military Reboot when technical av software is not my forte!

Luckily, I practice what I teach!

For years I have been practising non-negotiable proactive self-care in short timed windows throughout my day to calm my mind which in turn has built the mind muscle essential when emotions run high to challenge the negative thoughts that automatically arise.

Finally, after cutting too much video, reinstating it, then cutting too much audio, I felt a sense of satisfaction when I finally uploaded the film to Vimeo for Military CoWorking Network to share!

Do you practice proactive or reactive self care?

As one chapter ends – another begins!

Jane JamesLeave a comment

After a full-on orientation with Lee and Lily on Growing Talent 31 they ended this stage of their journey by completing the global, accredited, workplace designed Managing and Promoting Positive Mental Health and Wellbeing course.

The orientation chapter of Growing Talent’s 31st programme is now completed and a new chapter begins – their mutual test drive with their respective employers to see if the permanent role ring fenced for them is a great fit for both parties.

Check back to see how both get on with #Honeywell and #ISS.

Who will shine?

Jane JamesLeave a comment

Some awesome, currently unemployed, talent in London will meet some inspired employers looking to add new talent and innovation to their teams at Growing Talent’s 31st 1st stage selection process we like to call “Employers Speed Dating session”.

We do things differently! No cvs, no job descriptions no assumptions.

Creating a level playing field enables employers to see the hidden talent and potential often unseen in a formal recruitment process.

By partnering with JobCentre Plus and community organisations – this time, Southwark Care Leavers – we can really make a difference in enabling those in need of an empowering journey into employment, to shine and show their true potential.

How will they get on?

Check back to see next week!

Haajarah did it!……….

Jane JamesLeave a comment

After an amazing journey Haajarah has completed Growing Talent 30 and starts her journey as a permanent employee with Pertemps today.

Her willingness to learn, coupled with her passion to help her peers quickly saw her build strong links with the team – as can be seen from the feature image.

Pertemps is a recruitment business which requires a lot of legal compliance. A potential minefield which demands strong attention to detail.

Haajarah opened her mind to learn this new area and is growing everyday.

The power of self empowerment, belief and belonging, coupled with nurturing support from Growing Talent and the employer, in this case Pertemps, and of course the encouragement of JobCentre Plus truly delivers strong results.

Haajarah is now on a journey to build her new career and we known she will be awesome

Congratulations Haajarah – your tenacity and integrity has paid off – keep going!

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Control what you can!

Jane JamesLeave a comment

Unusually the office was pretty oppressive. The blinds and curtains had been drawn to reduce the pressure on the air con system in the current heatwave.

Mindful of the fact we can only control ourselves, we decided to hold our finance workshop outside in the shade!

Of course we followed this up with a wellbeing window of sketching a piece of the London skyline!

After a week of full-on learning and qualification in Managing Positive Mental Health and Wellbeing, Luiz, Manny and Haajarah have a free day today to relax and reflect before going to their respective employer sites for the in-role training section of Growing Talent.

Haarajah joins Pedro and the team at Pertemps in Holborn

Luiz joins Aiste and the team at Portico across their London sites

Manny joins Michael and his team at ISS Facilities Services in London

We wish them all a fabulous time of growth and connection ahead.

Growing Talent – a unique collaboration

Jane JamesLeave a comment

I’m so excited by the increase in numbers of interested applicants referred by #JobCentrePlus#London driven by Anna and her team.

Humans make assumptions based on labels without challenging these thoughts. This can be crippling especially when in the recruitment field. Employers can miss out on innovative, new diverse talent and individuals can miss out on job opportunities that literally have the capacity to change their lives. 

Some of the assumptions I’ve encountered over the years by unenlightened employers include:

‘single parent’ = unreliable
‘unemployed’ = lazy
‘homeless’ = too much trouble

Equally, unemployed people often make assumptions:

‘I can’t’
‘I don’t have the experience’
‘I’m not worthy’

Growing Talent was designed to remove these assumptions making a level playing field for employers to grow their own talent in situ before confidently hiring and for individuals to be seen for their talent and potential – not their label.

This process has worked for over eight years – including during the Covid years because of CCD. Communication. Collaboration and Drive.  

Listening to and supporting both the employers and unemployed participants, joining the support of work coaches at JobCentre Plus, mentoring 24/7 throughout the journey has seen over 178 people from diverse social economic and cultural backgrounds secure permanent jobs and change their lives – literally.  

Employers have secured diverse new talent and the positive impact this brings without the shackles of traditional recruitment methods.

The 29th programme of Growing Talent kicks off with 72 interested applicants joining the information session tomorrow.  

Diverse opportunities from our fabulous employers taking part Masterfix GB LimitedPertemps Network Group#SwissPostSolutions#OfficeConciergeISS Facility Services UKRestore plc#ZeroWasteTechnologies will be life changing for those they select.

The journey ahead is inspiring and energising!