Employment

Jobs Fair in Twickenham….

Jane JamesLeave a comment

Running Growing Talent (www.growing-talent.co.uk) I’m often invited to attend Job Fairs across London hosted by JobCentre Plus.

I’ve always declined these invitations. Growing Talent is a successful journey to employment programme which runs four times a year in London. It is not an employer and does not have jobs direct, nor is it a recruitment agency so, for me, going to Job Fairs is a little misleading for attendees.

Yesterday, after some persuasion from Zara on the JobCentre Plus team at Twickenham, saw me attend their event. The only reason I agreed to do this was the imminent start of the next Growing Talent so there is something tangible attendees can consider.

Unfortunately for some of the employers and Government funded providers attending – the lift at the JobCentre was out of order meaning a little morning workout climbing the stairs – though not as intensive for the team who had to do relays escorting everyone in from street level!

I got some insight into how disruptive hosting a jobs fair is for JobCentre Plus teams who give up their work stations for hours to enable employers, Government providers and Growing Talent to meet some of their customers looking for work.

A diverse range of unemployed people attended despite the awful weather. Looking around the floor all employers and Government providers seemed to have people eager to see them. I had none! But that soon changed and then I had queues of people waiting to see me! One incredibly well presented person attended with their mum. They thought ‘Talent’ referred to improving the existing creative talent people have – in their case music. As I explained the ethos of Growing Talent, why it was devised and the positive impact it’s had on people – their enthusiasm increased despite music not being part of the formula!

Leaflets were given out – including to a work coach at JobCentre Plus who wants to share the opportunity with her 20 something son.

The proof of how successful the event was for Growing Talent will be in how many people request the Zoom details to join the virtual session on 23 October.

Sometimes a little disruption to the norm is needed!

Jane JamesLeave a comment

The screenshot above is part of a post Bolaji issued on linked it and contained a number of her excellent suggestions on who to recruit better.

I reposted Bolaji’s thoughts with my own and how we’ve disrupted the recruitment norm:

@BolajiShote illustrates what recruiters of integrity have been saying and doing for years! The points Bolaji sets out are simple, clear and logical for recruiting employers to follow. I might put them in a slightly different order of importance to me.

#Ghosting – remember, people will never forget how you made them feel. Not feeding back after an interview can leave people feeling worthless and negatively impact their performance at their next interview. But here’s the other thing to remember that could directly impact those ‘Ghosters’ – the candidate you have ghosted could be interviewing you in a few years time – they won’t forget you…. ever.

Growing Talent we recognised a little disruption to the norm was needed.That’s why almost 10 years ago Growing Talent commenced – no cvs, no formal interviews, therefore, no assumptions. Almost 200 people aged 18-64 from all different social economic backgrounds have secured jobs they have grown into careers which they would never have secured through the traditional recruitment method.

Our collaboration with #JobCentrePlus, their partners, #Employers our global
business funders and the #GrowingTalentAssociates going on the journey delivers an empowering, confidence boosting experience building connections and support on the journey into work.

The #Orientation and #Holistic week delivers core workplace and personal skills that last a lifetime including accreditation in a global mental health and wellbeing programme in line with #ISO45003 enhancing the onboarding and retention experience with the employer.

An assigned mentor for both the employer and Growing Talent Associates ensures a smooth journey.

Doing things differently:

·     Advertising – via David Steeds & his work coach warriors at JobCentre Plus & partners.

·     Their interested customers join an information session 

·      1st stage selection – Employer Speed Dating – fast, loud with a lot of laughter in the room as people put down their ‘armour’ and be themselves.

·     2nd stage is a 1-2-1 meeting with the employer on their site to find out all
aspects of the role. 

·      Orientation and Holistic week

Finally a mutual evaluation paid period in the permanent role commences. This means at the point permanent contracts are issued, both sides are confident the match is right for them – without a single “what is your strength and weakness” question! 

No recruitment costs either!

Keep doing the same things, you will keep getting the same results.

Thank you to all our collaborative partners over recent times:
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
Pertemps Network Group
Masterfix GB Limited
SPS UK & Ireland
Pilgrims Risk Management Group
Honeywell
ISS A/S
Portico
BaxterStorey

LIMITLESS – AREN’T WE ALL?

Jane 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!

The final countdown has begun!

Jane JamesLeave a comment

The last London [programme of 2023 commences in October with a virtual information session on 23 October.

If you know someone based in London who is looking for a permanent job a different way, please let them know.

@Growing_Talent has no cvs nor formal job interviews. Instead we have Employer speed dating and one to one events.

Finding new talent a different way!

Knowledge is power – but only the right knowledge will be really powerful….

Jane JamesLeave a comment

It’s really important for employers to select a training programme that will deliver the results they want, which fits their business and people.

All too often I speak with businesses who select based on title and popularity without ensuring the content is right for them. “It’s a First Aider programme in Mental Health so it must be good”.

But is it right for every workplace?

In my view, having delivered a popular Mental Health First Aider programme for over 10 years, the answer is no.

There is no ‘one size fits all’, which is why it’s critical to select the training for your business based on the content and impact that will be delivered to your people.

I stopped delivering this course three years ago because there were a number of areas I wasn’t happy with. Having read Stephen Bevan’s (Institute of Employment Studies) concerns – back in 2019 and again last month and the latest Cochrane review – its clear content should be a deciding factor not a course name.

Over the past three years it’s been insightful delivering the Practitioner and Manager levels of @I-act globally in diverse workplaces and seeing the knowledge and confidence gained in delegates.

Yesterday saw another course delivered to a global corporate’s #OneTeam and what a collaborative journey of learning it was.

Now they have the knowledge and tools to make a real difference to themselves and those around them.

Contact me direct if you want to know how this training could benefit your business.

Fantastic work has a positive knock-on for others – thanks James!

Jane JamesLeave a comment

The Growing Talent journey book has grown over the years. Standing at 100 pages it was bursting at the seams – literally with some Growing Talent Associates having to get the tape out! Not a great look.

Reviewing the information, task sheets and audit trail, there was nothing that could be left out. In fact there was more information to add!

So, what was the solution? James, London Operations Print and Design Manager at our funder’s London HQ had the solution. Split the manual into three parts. Not only would the manuals be easier and sturdier when binding – they’d be light to carry individually too – and I could add more information!!!

Within 48 hours, James had the drafts printed and couriered to me enabling me to proof read well in advance of the next Growing Talent programme.

Fantastic work James and Team – thank you!

Kerry’s got this…..

Jane JamesLeave a comment

Awesome phone catch-up with Kerry Growing Talentwith Pilgrims Risk Management Group yesterday was a rollercoaster of fun.

At the end of Growing Talent Orientation week, Kerry had a little trepidation on what to expect with the imminent SIA and first aid course in London.

Of course, she nailed it!

Kerry’s enthusiasm for this next chapter was clear in her voice. Delegates on the course were from diverse security positions with a range of employers – so Kerry had plenty of opportunity to use her skills from the orientation week – especially networking!

She was a little faxed when a couple of delegates were removed by the instructor at the start of the week but she kept focus. Absorbing all the information given.

Kerry learnt so much and wasn’t unsettled by the arrival of the exam invigilator – remember those days?!

Now comes the wait for the results. 10 days and counting!

Regardless, Kerry has learnt so many new skills including how to use a defribulator!

Kerry has shown us the benefits of pushing through the fear of negative overthinking to experience new things, gain new skills and move on.

Check back to see some more of Kerry’s journey.