The 41st Growing Talent programme has been the most interesting and challenging so far!
Some got roles and are on the Orientation and Holistic week currently, others have been going for meetings with different managers to identify the right fit.
The waiting game.
We all know how tough it is, waiting to hear results on anything – but especially whether we’ve secured that job or not is painful!
Owolabi was, until yesterday afternoon, waiting to hear and wondering if his life was about to change.
Now he knows it is.
Stable employment and a regular income enable unemployed people to start taking back control of their life, make their own choices and close their own social mobility gap.
This is even more important for those with challenging back experiences. A permanent job really does change lives.
A huge thank you to Matthew Izekor of Southwark Care Leavers who referred Owolabi to Growing Talent and supported him throughout the process.
Also a massive thank you and nod of respect to Gina and the team CIS Security Limited for joining us in doing things differently.
If you are looking to gain some amazing talent with hidden skills that will add value to your business in London – why not join us?
Next programme starts September 2025. Contact me for details.
Peter realised he didn’t have enough money on his Oyster to use the train to travel into London, so he planned his journey, got up extra early to arrive as close as possible to the start time of Growing Talent‘s Orientation week.
Grace had an equally trying time having to juggle getting the children to school and then into Central London. Did she want any ‘special treatment’? hell no. She set her mind on doing Growing Talent following her husband’s experience on the last programme, no matter what.
So a morning of learning, discussing, sharing thoughts, views and opinions on effective communication, unconscious bias, what is neurodivergence, managing conflict, how to move on – internally and externally, we arrived at some case studies. Real life experiences of problems previous Growing Talent participants had experienced. What would Grace and Peter have done? the conversation flowed.
That’s the beauty of working together leading with respect, inclusion and without pre-judgement.
For the rest of the week, we move to training our minds – the holistic element of Growing Talent
Both Peter and Grace are joining CIS Security Limited Their ability to connect with people, observe the cues humans give and think calmly coupled with the intense security training and guidance CIS Security Limited will give them, they have a world full of opportunities about to open for them.
A big thank you to those behind the scene supporting Grace and Peter including
Everyone can relate to the self-doubt and negative self- chatter unemployed people have when seeking a job. How can you showcase the skills and ability you know you have to employers when the loud voice in your head is screaming ‘you don’t belong here’?
This was the foundation of why I wrote Growing Talent and why it’s been successful for over ten years.
Growing Talent is designed to pull employers and applicants out of their respective comfort zones. Disrupt their expectations of the ‘norm’. No cvs, no formal interviews = no assumptions and the revelation of the most amazing talent languishing on the ranks of the unemployed. Talent that with a little empowerment could add so much value to business, their communities and themselves.
First thing is to make the employers feel a little uncomfortable – only fair, right? The panel picture above shows Adam in the spotlight from our sponsor’s sharing his journey to his current role and why the sponsors have supported Growing Talent for so long.
Then Mark from Baxter Storey shared his journey from a safari guide in South Africa to the work of HR in the UK – definitely not straightforward!
James was next from SPS UK & I, now a manager with a team to manage, James began his journey in a similar place to the applicants on a programme I ran then called the Real Apprentice. As an 18 year old, it was tough nailing timekeeping – but he did it…. eventually!!! Over the years James has recruited many of his team from Growing Talent who have gone on to establish great careers.
Megan shared her journey from education to the world of admin with CIS Security.
Lastly Gina shared how she joined CIS Security not really knowing anything about that world but with a hunger to learn she gained knowledge of all areas of the business and now runs a team nationally. Gina has recruited and encouraged a number of people from Growing Talent.
We then had a Q&A session with the employers before they left which we had a discussion on how tough it is to get a job when others make assumptions about our labels and worse still, we believe those assumptions.
Then came the part of the day that most applicants dread – the London Challenge. Working with strangers to devise an idea to benefit Londoners and then present it to the employers with less than an hour to prepare is pretty daunting. Of course it is. I don’t know many managers who would be willing to step up to the challenge.
Of course, the applicants nailed it! After delivering their presentations they have the proof they can do more than they think they can.
First to present was Aurelien and Sujibomi with their idea to tackle the cost of living crisis.
Sharon and Tanice followed with their idea to give young people some direction and positive role models with their Youth Clubs plan.
Daphine & Zaniyah shared their vision to tackle some of the Housing issues for tenants in Southwark. Why not get the contractors to teach the tenants how to look after their properties? Zaniyah spoke about the safety for tenants living amongst addicts. Why couldn’t a property be assigned for addicts to use safely? Unfortunately, I was holding their notes behind the judges so couldn’t take a snapshot of them in action!
Siddik and Owolabi’s idea was to enhance food banks. Owolabi volunteered in a food bank and realised some things were missing. Lots of restaurants and cafes locally threw a lot of food away. Why not open the food banks to take in this food? Why not devise simple recipe ideas for people to use donated ingredients? Owolabi didn’t hesitate to step up and deliver alone when Siddik became a little overwhelmed.
Finally, Peter and Grace shared their thoughts on Crime – particular knife and phone theft. Sharing some stats and ideas to combat both.
Throughout the presentations sitting at the back willing his team on from Southwark Care Leavers was Matthew – the guru of empathy and encouragement at SCL.
Next came ‘networking’ – doesn’t everyone hate that word? Sounds so difficult to do but change the word to ‘chatting’ and it becomes very doable!
Everyone ‘networked’ together for half an hour, laughing, smiling – where were the nerves now?????
Before we ended with a group shot of the employers, applicants, chief cheerleader from JobCentre Plus Anna and the guru himself Matthew.
So, who will choose to return for the first stage employer selection on 16 June? We wait with bated breath!
Growing Talent‘s ‘getting to know you’ event for applicants and employers ahead of the selection stages.
Mark BaxterStorey, James SPS UK & I, Gina & Megan CIS Security Limited met the awesome applicants including Tanice, Sharon, Siddik, Sujibomi, Aeurlien, Zaniyah, Peter, Grace, Owolabi & Daphine.
The heart of the session was the London Challenge. Imagine having to work with a complete stranger to identify a problem within London’s communities and devise a solution to present to the employers – WITH JUST 45 MINUTES PREPARATION. Could you do that?
Our amazing applicants didn’t flinch. Rising to the challenge we had 5 thought provoking themed presentations including:
💡 The cost of living – giving people the knowledge to navigate this era.
💡 Youth Club – revitalising a heart of the community hub to give young people a place they truly belong
💡 Problem housing – giving tenants the knowledge and tools to look after the homes better and improve their health – repairs, mould removal, decoration etc
💡 Foodbank – developing these crucial lifelines connecting the community and hospitality businesses with more food, recipe and nutrition options
💡 Crime – smashing the rise in mobile thefts and knife crime with more outreach, role model, a different life path
More about these fantastic ideas tomorrow!
The overriding feeling from the applicants was how different Growing Talent is to anything they’ve experienced before.
What none of them realised is just how amazing they are. Their commitment, drive to work together and willingness to step out side their comfort zone are all qualities employers want.
Growing Talent enables the individual to be seen, not be judged by their label.
A big thank you to everyone behind the scenes 👏 👏 👏
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!
Monday night saw the relaunch of Growing Talent at the London HQ of our host and sponsor PwC.
With over 90 people present the pre-event networking was a hub of energetic networking. Interspersed with ‘OMG it’s been so long’ as ex-Growing Talent Associates over the years met-up for the first time since their journey began.
In addition to these awesome people, guests included members of JobCentrePlus, senior management of DWP, community organisations including SLAM, Southwark Care Leavers and Breyer Foundation as well as employers – veterans of Growing Talent and those new to the collaboration – looking to find out more.
The co-ordinator of Growing Talent kicked off proceedings explaining what Growing Talent was and when it started, why, in their view, it is as important today as when it started, the social value it has delivered and the benefits to all taking part.
We were incredibly lucky to have Ian Elliott, Chief People Officer at PwC join us to share why social mobility programmes like Growing Talent are so important to the Firm, why they support these initiatives and how important it is for businesses to engage with their local communities to gain innovative talent to grow effectively.
Following Ian, David senior manager from DWP, a long-time staunch supporter of Growing Talent, shared why they support Growing Talent when it is not a Government programme.
Following David, were the stars of the event – ex-Growing Talent Associates Charlie-Ray and Rehana – sharing their experience, where they were at the start of their journey and where they are now.
From a starting point of no confidence nor direction at the start of his journey on Growing Talent, Charlie flourished and won promotion to his current position as Senior Welcome Host with Portico leading a team of 30 direct reports!
He’s taken ownership for a lot of diverse projects nationally, including a secondment for a number of weeks to help mobilise a new regional office ensuring new staff feel they belong and have a strong sense of connection. This secondment was meant to be a one day trip!
Rehana was next to share her roller coaster journey on Growing Talent. Working with Portico for a few years as Welcome Host following completion before returning to full-time education to study to be a Counsellor – a long held passion.
But how to fund such an intensive course?
Rehana started her own craft business ‘Sealed with a Stitch’ selling crochet items within the UK and internationally – ideal for corporate gifts, unique birthday presents or to mark a special event.
Easter Bunny example of Rehana’s work during Covid!
Rehana juggles this business with her position as a Counsellor supporting vulnerable people with Headstrong.
Charlie and Rehana both shared the power of what saying ‘yes’ to someone can have.
Neither of them would have been recruited by their employers in a traditional recruitment process – but look at the awesome talent that would have been missed!
Allen, Head of Information Management Services at PwC as well as lead for Growing Talent at PwC, was last to speak and share his personal experience of supporting Growing Talent over the last nine years, from holding roundtable discussions on basic finance considerations to being a judge on our previous social enterprise challenges.
It was powerful to listen to Allen share his thoughts of meeting the Growing Talent Associates at the start of their journey and see the empowering transformation they underwent. He still sees many working in the PwC offices continuing to grow every day.
It was fantastic catching up with some of the ex-Growing Talent Associates and learning of where they are now…..
Chloe and Sophia joined Growing Talent virtually during Covid in August 2021.
Several promotions later for each of them, they are still working for PwC and ‘so happy’ – their words.
Sophia is now Team Leader and PwC Support Specialist coaching and developing many team members into other areas of PwC’s business. Sophia shared she can now make ‘grown-up’ decisions on investments and pensions.
Chloe is now an Executive Assistant organising and supporting her managers delivering projects.
In addition to clearly loving their careers, both shared how making their children proud of them was a powerful realisation.
L-R – Stephan, Miyuki from ISS, Kieron, Bernie of Swiss Post Solutions, Anna – JobCentre Plus lead who has taken countless early morning calls to sort out any issues participants were experiencing over the years, Charlie-Ray of Portico, Navin and Jamie of Swiss Post Solutions with Chloe & Sophia – PwC.
The ripple effect of the positive impact on those around the Growing Talent Associates is clear. One example, Navin shared the huge recognition his dad, Nalin, received from his employer recently (met on Growing Talent in 2019). Nalin has won so many testimonials from guests and colleagues over the years, the hotel recognised this commitment by awarding him a visit to New York taking his wife and Navin along for some shopping and sightseeing! How great is that?
Of course, I had to get in the photos too!!!!
The post event networking went on longer than anticipated with wonderful bitesize canapes and drinks. Thanks to the team at Baxter Storey especially the particularly tasty beetroot bites!
Employers were buzzing about what roles they could ring-fence to take part in the next programme and community groups were thinking of the awesome clients they could refer.
It was certainly a night to remember!
The Growing Talent story continues…….
Let’s recap the benefits so you can decide to get involved:
Potential applicants
No cvs nor job descriptions = no assumptions.
Mentored to grow into a permanent role which you can turn into a career
Empowering orientation and holistic week which includes a qualification in positive mental health before going on the employers site
Retain your benefits, have all fares paid and get paid by the employer during the mutual ‘test drive period’
Be confident the role, employer and team is right for you
Start to believe in the talent you have within you
Cost free robust pre-onboarding process aiding retention
Differentiator with competitors in commercial bids
Fish from an innovative, diverse talent pool to grow some awesome new talent
Confidence the match is right before making a permanent hire
If you are an employer with vacancies to fill in London, why not recruit a different way? Contact me for more information or see https://www.growing-talent.co.uk/employers/
What are you waiting for? Experience the power of saying yes!
A big thank you to all organisations including Pertemps, MasterFix Properties, Swiss Post Solutions, ISS@PwC and Aviva, ISS UK & Ireland, Office Concierge, Honeywell, Portico, Baxter Story, senior management from PwC, ex-Growing Talent Associates, members of DWP and JobCentre Plus, community groups including SLAM, Breyer Foundation and Southwark Care Leavers who gave up their personal time to attend.
A very special thank you to Adrienne Simpson who juggled her ‘day job’ as Allen’s Executive Assistant with organising the whole event start to finish – Ads – you are a superstar!
