What a great morning!

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.

Matthew Izekor and Rob Matthews (Anna) also joined us to support their awesome applicants.

Initial nerves gave way to confidence and laughter as the applicants gelled with each other and the employers.

Adam Bushell shared why he supports Growing Talent and spent time encouraging the applicants.

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 👏 👏 👏