National Employability Day 2024
Friday 13th September is National Employability Day. This is the ninth year that this specific day has been profiles, but I can’t say that it has been something that I have taken notice of, until now!
It is interesting to note that several organisations, local authorities and funded agencies are promoting an awareness campaign to promote the so-called unrecognised talents of a whole group of able workers, irrespective of their background or perceived abilities. There are many reasons why certain groups get “overlooked” for employment, many, I fear, are based on old-fashioned beliefs which do need to be addressed. After all, we have a finite number of able workers who could be of great benefit to UK industry but may not fit into the patterns of work which traditionally exist. So is flexibility the answer, both in terms of work attendance and using the technologies which have been so well utilised since those pandemic related events in 2020?
So, do attitudes need to change, to give a young worker a chance at their first job, or someone who has found themselves on the wrong side of the law being given a chance to prove themselves reliable and trustworthy again? And in the case of someone who needs support, either physically or mentally, an opportunity to show that with some fairly basis adjustments to the workplace or workstation, be able to demonstrate that they can be effective, contribute and work in a society which can support everyone?
As for my peers within the recruitment industry, whilst we all support and proudly publish our Equal Opportunities Policies – but how deep does this really run through our organisations?
It takes a brave business to practice what it preaches, but an even braver one to go the extra mile and make those decisions to promote those under the “employability banner” as candidates worthy of consideration to our business contacts.
During the past year, it is true to record the “talent pool” of the UK has become more difficult to find and move on into roles which UK business needs to help grow the economy. There are several options available to us as a nation, but could utilising what human resource we have provide part of the answer without reaching beyond our borders?
