What a whirlwind the last few weeks have been mobilising the latest Growing Talent which sees the launch of a new format where applicants and employers get to know each other BEFORE the selection stage.
Let’s take a look at the numbers:
71 applicants referred by JobCentre Plus and Southwark Care Leavers requested the virtual Zoom information session.
36 talented, currently unemployed people joined the virtual presentation to learn the new format, additional resources available to them and the benefits they will get from participating.
17 registered to attend the next stage on 8 October!
Employers, get ready to meet some awesomely talented people on Tuesday!
Cocktails, for me, should be visually exciting and have discernible flavours.
Songs and films are incorrect – although potentially great titles!
Cocktails is potentially correct in the right coffee brewer’s hands! Read on.
They are just some of the awesome coffees on display at Extract Coffee London just off Bermondsey Street.
I’d been invited by @Growing_Talent’s sponsors to pitch the programme and additional resources on ADHD, @I-Act and general team empowerment training to their supply chain held yesterday at this London gem!
Arriving early, as usual, Veena gave me 1:1 insight into Extract’s beginnings, their credentials, their partners – at home and across the globe, their connections with organisations focussing on enabling those who need it to close their own social mobility gap through skills training ready for the world of employment. Which led nicely on to the science of coffee.
You may have heard of WSET – home to the Wine & Spirit Trust – whose qualifications are sought after by the hospitality industry as well as individual wine enthusiasts. Did you know there is a science to coffee too? I absolutely didn’t. I was shown the various different beans, how they are produced by farmers and used in Extract’s coffee in different ways.
Did you know the mainstream coffee shops use only one type of coffee bean?
Some coffees are great for gut health and have a lot of fibre in – who knew!
Seeing the areas used to train people in the diverse world of coffee production, learning the different careers available and the industry awards on offer showed the passionate, social inclusion core of Extract Coffee – and the public can even buy their unique coffees and teas on line! Amazing.
The pitch to the supply chain went really well with lots of questions and engagement.
After the team – including award winning Chloe – showed how coffee can be used in the composition of cocktails and mocktails. Of course, I had to try the martini! I love a fancy glass.
Check Extract Coffee out online and make a difference whilst enjoying your unique cup of morning coffee
An interesting piece by Matthew Parris in yesterday’s The Times caught my eye.
Some areas I agree with, others I have a different view.
Neurodivergence is not a mental ill health issue – it’s a neuro developmental condition the impact of which, on some, may lead to the development of anxiety, depression or worse. Consider ADHD – Executive Functioning is delayed by 30% coupled with an interest based nervous system, people at school, college, University and in the workplace may struggle with everyday things like memory, self-awareness, motivation, emotional regulation, impulsivity and problem solving which their neurotypical peers don’t. Most schools, colleges, universities and workplaces are built for neurotypical brains -amplifying the impact.
I recently trained as an ADHD 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵. Our remit is to work with people to identify how their ADHD impacts them and explore different tools that can help them tame this impact. It’s a short-term journey of between 1 to 3 months. I would never try to step into 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗽𝘆 nor 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜. These are three very different and specific areas.
What I’ve noticed from client feedback, is the simple tools have made such a difference which in turn has lessened the pressure they felt.
This prompted me to devise a Workplace Awareness session for Managers and one for ‘how to be an Ally to a colleague’. The feedback from these have been just as illuminating. Within days of attending, some managers implemented some of the content we covered. Others had a lightbulb moment on what they personally were experiencing both in and out of work.
The second part of Matthew’s piece that struck me was the medical intervention. Several therapists saw the same patient and gave completely different diagnosis. This can be dangerous when medication is issued. I’m reminded of Caragh McMurty’s journey – https://lnkd.in/esRMQgSm
I am thankful there is a growing awareness of neurodivergence. Stigma falls when this happens and people get help sooner.
For me, mental health is something many can do for themselves with the right tools and guidance. This is separate to mental illness which requires specific care.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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 !
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!
Tina has a permanent job offer – which she’s accepted! – from one of our amazingly insightful employers who attended our last Employer Speed Dating event on Growing Talent.
After a longtime thinking she wouldn’t get a stable job, Tina now has an amazing new career chapter ahead of her. What an awesome way to end the year!
