SKILLS AND EMPLOYABILITY
Employers urged to use their kickstarters or lose them, as Government scheme deadline looms The chief executive of Liverpool City Region-based I Am Moore (IAM) has called on employers who are signed up to the Government’s Kickstart Scheme to use their kickstarters or lose them, before the March 2022 deadline. Headed up by Lynn Lock, I Am Moore is a social impact mission set up to upskill and support young professionals from their initial meetings in Jobcentres until the end of a paid six month role, and then into long-term employment. So far, I Am Moore has placed over 180 young people into work - 29 in the
last month alone - but there are employers signed up to the mission still yet to take the full opportunity the scheme presents. Chief executive, I Am Moore, Lynn Lock, said: “There are a number of kickstart gateways like I Am Moore that have employers signed up but still yet to employ a kickstarter. This may be because they’ve not met a candidate suitable for a particular role or they’ve simply not had the time to go through the process. “I want to remind those looking to employ young people about the amazing opportunities and benefits to their business the Kickstart Scheme can bring. You can train someone for a certain skill, which you are also paid to do, and their salary is reimbursed. And if you have a need for a specific skill, don’t be afraid to diversify your
search and train them for what is needed in your business. The options are endless and very flexible, and as a gateway we will hold your hand throughout the whole process. But I do urge them to act now before the March 31 deadline.” Working with employers from a range of sectors including hospitality, education and construction, I Am Moore’s pledge to get young adults aged 16-24 from across the Liverpool City Region and beyond into paid employment continues, with the aim of placing 500 candidates before the March deadline. For more information about I Am Moore and the job vacancies available, visit https:/ /www.iammoore.org/, or contact Lynn Lock on lynn@jaynemooremedia.com
Preparing for Hybrid Futures During the pandemic over 100m people across Europe began to work from home, many of them doing so for the first time. Both organisations and their employees were forced to adapt to the ‘great working from home experiment’, and many of them found that remote work was not only possible but better than expected. Although there were challenges along the way (especially the often reported ‘Zoom Fatigue’), it quickly became apparent that remote work was highly desired by employees, with around two thirds saying they would like the option for flexible working in future. When we think of this in relation to our students here at LJMU, remote working at scale was not common before the pandemic, and its introduction does present a range of questions for organisations and HE Institutions to address. What should policies and procedures say? How should hybrid and remote workers be managed? How often should employees attend the office? What are the health and safety implications of working from home? This all becomes relevant for our graduates’ futures.
Many businesses have responded to this demand with the introduction of hybrid working arrangements, where employees spend time in the office with colleagues as well as time working from home.
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Early career professionals without experience of building working relationships or managing office life can also find remote work difficult to navigate. Not everyone can or wants to work from home; some find that working from home is good for their wellbeing and work life balance, whereas others feel isolated or unable to switch
off when their work equipment is in their personal space. However, as hybrid work can lead to significant benefits for organisations, we need to consider how we address this to support the hybrid futures of our graduates. At LJMU, we are preparing our students for the hybrid workforce through our curriculum and by working with employers to deliver hybrid internships, yearlong placements, and live projects. This activity is ongoing with students engaging in hybrid internships with employers across the Liverpool City Region. We can also support SME’s as they navigate their way through hybrid working via the Liverpool Business School’s Business Clinic. Want to know more or get involved. Get in touch employerengagement@ljmu.ac.uk
