Employability Programme #1

We created and implemented an Employability Programme for a well-known retail company (Timberlands , Vans and the Northface) that supported disadvantaged youth from the community back into employment whilst developing Managers within the organisation. The programme included coaching for success training and created a unique talent pipeline as we were able to identify untapped talent within the community via the programme, there were five pillars to the programme as outlined below:

Recruitment – we partnered with charity organisations within the community who worked with disadvantaged and disengaged youth and provided referrals for the programme. We selected Managers from the company using a succession planning tool we created, and they became company volunteers for the programme.

Coaching Training – The Managers selected for the programme attended intense coaching training which developed their leaderships skills and they used their coaching skills to coach the youth on the programme.

Pathway – Using their new coaching skills Managers coached the young people on a brand related project which included writing a marketing strategy for one of the brands. This is where the young people developed their employability skills.

Showcase – the project was then presented to the Senior Leaders of the company

Work experience – once they had completed the programme the young people were then able to complete two weeks work experience at one of the stores, they were then ready to be onboarded into the company thus creating a unique talent pipeline.

Successes

CSR reputation – more so then ever businesses are looking at how companies give back to the communities they work in

Increased engagement - Employees are proud to work for an organisation that gave back to the communities they operate in

Talent development – the programme supported in recognising future leaders through the coaching for success programme

Talent pipeline - created a unique talent pipeline by unlocking untapped talent within the community and in addition saving on recruitment costs as these employees became the future leaders

The programme was launched in London, Manchester, Glasgow, Paris and Berlin.