Confirmed schedule & format for 2026 – London, UK
What type of roles do employers usually recruit for on Growing Talent?
Any role they can train in is the short answer! Examples of roles PREVIOUSLY filled include: Front of House, Warehouse, Hospitality, Project Manager, Mail, Reprographics, Distribution, Corporate Security, Hospitality, Recruitment and Administration.
Interested Employers:
Please contact jane@thejjc.net to learn more about this unique programme and the potential fit with your business.
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Interested Applicants:
Please send an email to jane@thejjc.net to register your interest to take part in any of the scheduled programmes below during the open period.
Note, Growing Talent is not a recruitment agency and does not run continuously.
To avoid disappointment, please ensure you have your Right To Work documents in place or a Government issued share code BEFORE you apply. This will help you meet employers’ vetting procedures.
Format of each Growing Talent Programme
Open for applications – period in which people can apply for Growing Talent. Send an e-mail to jane@thejjc.net, requesting the Zoom link, date of the virtual information session you wish to attend. Make sure you include your first and last names, work coach and/or local JobCentre Plus office you visit or the organisation that told you about Growing Talent.
Virtual information session – mandatory – held via Zoom. Learn employers and roles involved, format of the programme and benefits to you in taking part. If you are interested in progressing, details for the in-person event with employers be e-mailed to you.
In-Person getting to know employers event – mandatory – Gives applicants and employers a deeper insight and understanding of each other BEFORE the selection stage. The event is split into five parts:
- Managers share their personal journey to their current role, how applicants can impress them at the selection stage and hold a short Q&A. Managers leave.
- Discussion to explore why people aren’t working already – what’s missing?
- London Challenge – in small groups devise an idea to improve London – blue sky thinking
- Managers return for London Challenge presentations and feedback. Networking refreshments
- Decide whether you want to go forward. If so, you will collaborate with Growing Talent to complete your personal profile sheet ready for the next stage.
Employers slow dating style event – 1st stage selection – mandatory – meet all employers for 20 minutes in pairs building on the connection already made. You can only take part in this, if you have completed the steps above.
Employers 1-2-1 meetings – mandatory – if offered, this is the final selection stage where you and the employer decides if there is a fit with their role. You must be able to show your Right to Work documents at any 1-2-1. You can only take part in this, if you have completed the steps above.
Orientation and Holistic Week, CPD Certified – mandatory – if offered an opportunity which you accept, you will undergo robust training on work and life skills including a global qualification in mind health and wellbeing (I-Act) over four days in London and one day remotely undertaking the I-Act qualification. You will need access to a laptop/desktop to do this. Your work coach at JobCentre Plus can assist you with this if necessary. Accompanying manuals support onward learning. This builds your confidence before joining your new employer and team on site.
Talent Hub – CPD Certified – optional Two months membership encompassing weekly virtual sessions on work/life skills, coaching and mentoring, group discussions and problem solving guidance with any job opportunity you secure externally. In addition, any new role employers on Growing Talent may have after the selection stages are closed will be open to you during this period. The personal photo profile sheet you compose in collaboration with Growing Talent can be used for any external job searching. The Talent Hub is open to anyone who does not go past the selection stage of Growing Talent. A key focus of this Talent Hub is to grow your confidence to secure a direct employment role yourself. See the film below for more information on the content and format of the Talent Hub.
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Growing Talent 44 – open for applications from 2nd February to 5pm on 10th February 2026
11 February 2026 – applicant virtual Information session via zoom
16 February 2026 – In person getting to know event for applicants and recruiting employers
25 February 2026 – 1st stage selection – employers ‘slow dating’ style event
26 February to 11 March 2026 – final stage selection – employers’ 1-2-1 meetings are held
16 – 20 March 2026 inclusive – Orientation and Holistic week.
30 March 2026 – earliest you can go on the employer’s site to commence your new job*
Talent Hub details will be shared as appropriate.
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Growing Talent 45 – open for applications from 18th June to 5pm on 26 June 2026
27 May 2026 – applicant virtual Information session via zoom
1 June 2026 – In person getting to know event for applicants and recruiting employers
9 June 2026 – 1st stage selection – employers ‘slow dating’ style event
10-22 June 2026 – final stage selection – employers’ 1-2-1 meetings are held
29 June to 3 July 2026 inclusive – Orientation and Holistic week.
13 July 2026 – earliest you can go on the employer’s site to commence your new job*
Talent Hub details will be shared as appropriate.
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Growing Talent 46 – open for applications from 10th August to 5pm on 25th August 2026
26 August 2026 – applicant virtual Information session via zoom
7 September 2026 – In person getting to know event for applicants and recruiting employers
15 September 2026 – 1st stage selection – employers ‘slow dating’ style event
16-28 September 2026 – final stage selection – employers’ 1-2-1 meetings are held
5 to 9 October 2026 inclusive – Orientation and Holistic week.
19 October 2026 – earliest you can go on the employer’s site to commence your new job*
Talent Hub details will be shared as appropriate.
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Growing Talent 47 – open for applications from 10th August to 5pm on 25th August 2026
26 August 2026 – applicant virtual Information session via zoom
2 November 2026 – In person getting to know event for applicants and recruiting employers
10 November 2026 – 1st stage selection – employers ‘slow dating’ style event
11 to 23 November 2026 – final stage selection – employers’ 1-2-1 meetings are held
30 November to 4 December 2026 inclusive – Orientation and Holistic week.
14 December 2026 – earliest you can go on the employer’s site to commence your new job*
Talent Hub details will be shared as appropriate.
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