Salonica Group’s Post

Day 3 of the gaps we've minded at WeMindTheGap: We are bridging the gap to employment between young people aged 16-25 year olds and employers. Young people have told us that when they are ready and motivated to work, but it's often difficult to know where to start and where to develop skills as traditional pathways can be daunting.    This programme bridges the gap between young people motivated to find career opportunities but who need support to navigate the complexities of employment through facilitating relationships with employers into entry-level jobs.    The WeBridge programme offers an alternative route into employment for those who may not fit traditional paths, providing ongoing daily support, in-work mentoring and facilitating connections between employers and potential talent. #youthemployment #youthguarantee  

This is encouraging to see the public sector starts to attract young talent, and at 4C we see a lot of younger generation being drawn to work within it and drive the change it needs and supporting greater good.

International packaging manufacturer Saica Group has partnered with return-to-work specialist STEM Returners to launch a new 12-week employment programme, as a part of its diversity action plan.

Last week it was an honour to attend the Employment Related Services Association (ERSA) conference and awards. I was delighted to co-host the Awards, at a fun filled evening event, with the amazing Ian Ross. The ERSA Awards are so important in reminding us of the amazing work this sector does and the inspiring stories it generates. It was a heartwarming celebration of some of the best of those stories from the last year, across 15 categories covering national, local and specialist providers. The awards, now in their 12th year showcased the empathy, innovation and sheer hard work of the often unsung heroes who offer life-changing opportunities to jobseekers and learners. The entries were judged by an independent panel of experts... you can read more about the awards on FE News by following the link below. Of course, the conference itself was interesting as there are lots of questions as we enter a period of change in the industry. One of my takeaways is how new commissioning structures and programmes will create different expectations of the business community’s role in providing opportunities for programme participants. I’m not 100% convinced that the commissioners have done enough thinking about how to best connect with the business community. I do believe, though, that there is an opportunity for the sector to think about how we can further improve every interaction we have with businesses, to create good opportunities for programme participants. I’m already having these conversations with some forward thinking, dynamic commissioners and providers about designing new approaches to benefit more businesses and participants. I’m ready and excited to speak to others to share our knowledge and plan for future programme delivery. Now the dust has settled following the conference, I’m also interested in other people’s takeaways from the event. (The ERSA team worked me hard, so I didn’t get to attend every session!). Please do share your reflections in the comments section of this post! #ERSA #ERSAAwards #employerengagement

🚀 Unlocking Potential Empowering individuals with skills is the key to unlocking their potential and driving societal progress. At The Wise Group , our relational mentors tap into the vast capabilities across the UK while addressing the critical need to boost confidence levels. By prioritising effectively and working collectively, we can rapidly advance solutions for the post-school skills agenda. 💡 🌟 Bridging the Gap In a recent roundtable with Lord Walney , part of our Breaking Down Barriers to Employment Opportunity Commission work with The Purpose Coalition , we underscored the importance of training support and funding to facilitate sustainable re-entry into the workforce. Did you know that by 2030, 20% of the workforce will be significantly underskilled for their jobs? That’s a staggering 6.5 million individuals lacking the necessary tools to succeed. 😮 🔥 Urgency to Act With two-thirds of businesses already struggling to recruit employees with the right skills, the urgency to act is crystal clear. The Wise Group takes the lead, collaborating with schools and families to prevent dropout rates and offering innovative wellbeing solutions like our Connect platform. Important we remain resolute and continue to form partnerships to equip individuals with the skills they need to thrive in work and life. Focussed partnership can make a meaningful impact! 🌟🤝 #SkillsDevelopment #RealtionalMentoring #Opportunity #SocialMobility Alex Warren Suzanne McWilliams Victoria Carson Hamish Robertson Jacqueline Gourlay Charlie Hogg James Robbins Neil McLachlan Andrew Malcolm Julia Mulloy Frances Nichols Penelope Cooper CMgr, FCMI Christina Brown Sean D. Jill Kirkham Saul Duffy The Scottish Government Skills Development Scotland Sandy Begbie CBE FRSE SCVO (Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations) Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Jane Grant (née Feore) Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP Rt Hon. Justine Greening Danny Davis Matthew McPherson Nick Forbes CBE Rt Hon Liam Byrne MP Alistair Strathern Jo Churchill MP Chi Onwurah John Lamont MP

Today is both Youth Skills Day and the first day of Youth Employment Week! Let’s talk about the crucial role employers play in connecting young people with opportunities to discover careers, build skills, and succeed at work. 🤝 At the EY Foundation, we support young people who qualify for free school meals through employability skills training and paid work experience. Our programmes are designed and delivered in collaboration with employers, and beyond direct delivery we work with them to identify and create inclusive work environments where diverse young talent can thrive. Youth employment, accessible career paths, increasing retention, and building diverse teams relies on both sides of the labour market coming together; employers and young people are core to ensuring the future of work is equitable, sustainable, and considered. If you support young talent, you can get involved in Youth Employment Week by downloading Youth Employment UK’s toolkit for organisations: https://lnkd.in/e4HHPeUv Together, we can strive to do better and ensure that there is opportunity for all young people to thrive in the workplace. What actions are you taking towards this? #YouthEmploymentWeek #YouthSkillsDay #CreatingOpportunityForAll

📢 🎉 Turning evidence into employer practice - Celebrating Youth Employment Week and Enhancing Employer Support 🎉 📢 Join us for an insightful The Apprenticeship Diversity & Social Mobility Forum for the conclusion to Youth Employment Week with a special webinar designed to celebrate key activities from the week and delve into effective strategies for enhancing youth employment, inclusion, and diversity in the workplace. ✨ FREE Webinar on Friday 19th July 10:00 - 11:30 ✨ Hosted by me Jagdeep Soor FIEP, this session will feature pivotal contributions from Youth Employment UK and Youth Futures Foundation, leaders in youth employment initiatives. Hear from the amazing guest speakers who are some of the leading national, if not international leaders in youth employment Laura-Jane Rawlings MBE, CEO Youth Employment UK Dive into an interactive session on the Good Youth Employment Benchmark, a collaborative tool co-funded by the Youth Futures Foundation. This session will focus on how employers can leverage this benchmark to measure and enhance their youth employment practices, emphasising supporting marginalized youth and bridging the practice gap with the latest and most effective strategies. Eleanor Marsea, Engagement Manager at Youth Futures Foundation Learn about their role in supporting the Benchmark and the critical importance of building a strong evidence base in the youth employment sector. The discussion will also cover their research on race disparity and introduce practical resources like the employer toolkit to improve employment practices. Martin Chandler, Chief Engagement & Enrichment Officer at Pathway Group Tackling Youth Unemployment, highlighting the critical issue of youth unemployment, exploring innovative strategies to empower young people in today's dynamic job market. This webinar is a must-attend for employers, providers, stakeholders and commissioners looking to improve their youth employment strategies and for those interested in the latest research and tools in the field. Don’t miss the opportunity to gain valuable insights and practical solutions to drive meaningful organisational change. Registration Link: ➡ https://lnkd.in/gJbGhN4j #youthemployment, #apprenticeships, #apprentices, #careers, #earlycareers, #AmplifyApps, #Multiculturalaa, #equity, #diversity, #inclusion, #socialmobility Multicultural Apprenticeship Alliance, Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards, Multicultural Apprentice Network, Apprenticeship Branding Conference, Festival of Apprenticeships, Pathway Group

Do you know a woman aged 18-30 in Aldershot or the surrounding areas, looking to build a better future? Have you heard of New Directions? It offers free 1:1 employability support, self-employment guidance, and events to boost your confidence and skills. Angela Rossi, Employability Project Coordinator, told us: "Inclusivity is our aim for supporting clients looking for work. "We work in a very person-centred way and due to the nature of the workshops, they are in very small groups a maximum of five people and it is delivered in a very structured way. "The work can be tailored to meet our clients needs. We already are working with autistic clients. I look for work that will play to their strengths." What is on offer: • 1 2 1 help to get you into work, self-employment and training • Events and workshops on money matters/budgeting, childcare options, career advice, CV development, interview coaching etc • Focus on well-being • Access to interactive software – practice and improve job interviews • Start Your Own Business support: business and financial planning, sales, marketing etc • Short work placements • Skills training and qualifications support • Find out about free resources 🔗 To learn more about New Directions, visit https://lnkd.in/edPd4vNt #NewDirections #EmploymentSupport #LifeSkills #AutismSupport #Inclusivity #Aldershot #Empowerment #CareerDevelopment

🌈 Embracing Diversity and Inclusion in Education: Fostering Equitable Learning Environments! 🌟 In the rich tapestry of education, diversity isn't just a buzzword - it's an essential thread that weaves together experiences, perspectives, and ideas. That's why I want to take a moment to highlight the immense value of diversity and inclusion within awarding and end-point awarding organisations. 🌍💬 By embracing diversity, we create learning spaces where every voice matters and every perspective enriches the educational journey. Here are a few ways to champion diversity and inclusion: 1. Inclusive Curricula: Infuse curricula with diverse voices, cultures, and histories, offering students a well-rounded education that reflects the world they inhabit. 2. Equity Initiatives: Share initiatives that break down barriers, such as scholarships, mentorship programs, and resources for underrepresented groups. 3. Cultivating Empathy: Encourage open dialogues that nurture empathy and understanding among students, preparing them for global citizenship. 4. Celebrating Differences: Spotlight success stories of individuals who've overcome challenges, inspiring students and showcasing the power of resilience. 5. Professional Development: Provide training for educators on culturally responsive teaching methods that empower all students to thrive. If you agree that having a diverse and inclusive awarding / end-point awarding organisation is important and comes with many benefits, and you want to learn more about how you can attract a diverse pool of applicants to your vacancies, reach out! TPP regularly advise on inclusive recruitment practices and we are more than happy to help! Get in touch via the contact details in the comments and, in the meantime, check out our D&I work by following the link. #DiversityAndInclusion #EquitableEducation #InclusiveLearning #TPPRecruitment #EmpowerThroughEducation #Recruitment #RecruitmentConsultant #Education #EducationJobs #AwardingOrganisation #EndPointAwardingOrganisation #InclusiveRecruitment

There’s been a lot of discussion about whether the market in the UK is truly recovering or if we’re dealing with a false economy. While my perspective is naturally biased towards the specialized niches here at Meritus, one trend I’ve been tracking among successful applicants—and those consistently sought after by the most dynamic businesses in the UK—is how they’ve navigated their early careers. Over the last decade, we’ve seen a significant decline in the perceived value of degree-level education, with many employers becoming increasingly ambivalent about its necessity in job applications. More and more, university-educated candidates are being passed over in favor of those with manual, time-served apprenticeships and college-level learning. The value of HNDs and NVQs has never been higher, and these qualifications have never been more accessible. Yet, the market still pushes a traditional path of higher education as the gateway to employment. I’m not discounting the skills and credentials gained through higher education, but employers and business leaders need to take a closer look at what experience matters most to their businesses—and, more importantly, communicate that to the market. We can debate generational differences in workplace values and attitudes toward employment, but learning that 6 in 10 Gen Z employees have been sacked this year alone (not left voluntarily) is simply unsustainable. If the issue is a skills or qualifications gap, we need to start nurturing talent earlier—through schooling and by promoting alternative pathways like the armed forces or engineering industries that provide both qualifications and practical experience during those formative years. Link to article: https://lnkd.in/es_aG6fN #recruitment #employment #itjobs #techjobs #engineering #defence #aerospace 📞 07458 163 789 ✉️ jake.appleton@meritustalent.com 🌍 UK/KSA 💻 meritustalent.com