18 is the magic number!…

18, fabulously talented, but currently unemployed people, have decided to go forward to our ‘Getting to know you’ event on Monday 7 April with employers for our 40th Growing Talent programme.

We don’t allow cvs nor job descriptions on Growing Talent, instead this event takes both applicants and employers out of their comfort zone!

Whilst nerve racking, for both sides at the start, at the end, you’d think it was a gathering of ‘old friends’!

Applicants’ confidence has risen.

Employers’ insight to the hidden talent amongst the unemployed has been revealed

This disruption to the normal way recruitment happens makes a much smoother, fun experience for all when we reach the actual employer selection stage on 14 April.

So, what will our intrepid heroes be doing on Monday 7 April?

🎯 Spotlight on employers – each employer will give a snapshot of their journey to their current role, what went wrong, how they got back on track, what their current responsibilities are and their top tips to impress all employers. Followed by a Q&A session.

🎯 London Challenge – the employers then leave us for an hour or so whilst ideas are shared to devise a solution to improve London. In small groups, those who were strangers at the start of the day, will support each other with the challenge to grow their group idea and deliver a short presentation to the employers on their return.  Move over Britain’s Got Talent!

🎯 Networking – after the London Challenge presentations have been delivered and feedback given, the chatter begins – but not about jobs, instead knowledge of each other is grown along with confidence and self-empowerment.

Dah, Dah, Dah – Decision time – our awesome 18 have to decide if they want to continue Growing Talent and return on the 14 April.

Will all 18 return?

Check back to see.

A big thank you to everyone involved this round – I know it was a little ‘hairy’ at the start – including:

David Steeds – even holidaying abroad didn’t stop his involvement
Rob Matthews – we have our first veteran from Anna’s work as Armed Forces Champion.

The awesome teams at Bromley JCP including the two Jills, Daisy, Fatima, Darren, Kathryn at JCP Wood Green,  Peter at JCP Forest Hill, Michael and the team at JCP London Bridge, Lorraine in JCP Wandsworth, Jude at Clarion Futures, Matthew at Southwark Care Leavers – you and your teams need to take a bow 👏 👏 👏