5 minute read
Richard Kirk
Columnist
Richard Kirk,
CEO, Workplus
Good Systems Need Less Funding
As the saying goes, there’s a first time for everything. I had a ‘first’ not too long ago – and one that was not without some fear and trepidation… the Nolan Show.
I had been invited on the show in light of the headlines around potential funding cuts to the Department for the Economy budget which, if implemented, would likely impact apprenticeships.
Politicians and politics dominated the discussion and I listened with interest – as well as some frustration and sadness! What was prevalent in their debate was not the impact any funding cuts to the DfE would have on apprenticeships or indeed some of the fantastic programmes made possible by funding, it was on who was to blame for the potential funding hit.
Blaming leads nowhere and funding is only part of the story. What we really need to do is think about better systems.
You may have read recently about Disney+ adding 11.8 million subscribers in the last three months of 2021, taking the total to almost 130 million worldwide. The firm also forecast further subscriber growth for this year.
Impressive figures! What makes it so popular and why on earth is it relevant to the discussion around education and skills in Northern Ireland?
Streaming services, like any other scalable technology service, eg Amazon, eBay, Airbnb etc, are able to create and share value because of the systems on which they are built. In short, they are designed with users in mind and infinitely more affordable than each of us trying to create that value ourselves.
Currently there are government strategic reviews underway in Northern Ireland: education (led by the Department of Education) and careers advice and skills (led by the Department for the Economy). Whilst government and wider society will not make progress in these areas through a streaming service, there is a lot that we can learn from the Disney+ approach: usercentred, systematic and value rich.
Well thought-out systems that solve societal problems don’t require as much funding as you might think. I can’t help but think how transformational it would be for everyone if we better combined skills and education.
World-renowned leadership speaker Simon Sinek’s Start with the Why book and Ted Talk has really resonated with people. It is powerful in its simplicity and also incredibly helpful as we think about education, skills and good systems.
Why education? Why skills? The ‘why’ is the same for both – for the betterment of the individual and society.
I had a lovely recent reminder of the why behind apprenticeships. We had a Workplus apprentice party as part of NI Apprenticeship Week. Nothing complicated – just pizza, drinks and a chance to get together in person. Speaking with the apprentices reminded me of the why – their lives are being enriched through blending work and education. I got a sense of contentment from them. They’re on good salaries, buying cars, booking holidays, enjoying work, being mentored and getting qualifications.
We owe it to young people (and wider society) to implement good systems which will be enablers – which will better combine skills and education and better equip young people.
Education, skills, work, career, money… none of these are an end in themselves. The end is each of us working out our gifts and talents, using them to the best of our ability and playing our part in society – that should be the focus of government.
Workplus makes it easier for both employers and applicants by providing a single place for applicants to apply, as well as offering a simple, thorough selection process for employers.
MAYBE THE OFFICE ISN’T DEAD AFTER ALL!
Market Insights – The Future Workplace By Aaron Patton
With restrictions easing further, confi dence within companies seems to be at its highest now in executing their plans to return to the offi ce on a wider scale.
With reports stating that offi ce leasing has hit a pandemic high in Q4 2021 in Dublin, and with deals completing in Belfast, such as Tilney Smith & Williamson becoming the latest tenant to sign up for offi ces at The Ewart – reports that the offi ce is dead appear to be nothing more than a myth!
Whilst temporary fi xtures such as Perspex screens and signage are still in demand, much of this is already in place throughout the majority of companies and we are now seeing many more companies starting to consider more permanent changes and analysing how they can better utilise their space.
From building more collaboration points and installing phone booths for virtual meetings, creating collaborative and social offi ce hubs has become a key part of the design process for many companies in recent months. As disruptive as Covid-19 has been to businesses, it has also highlighted the benefi ts of a more fl exible working environment and wellbeing at work. As your company plans to return to offi ce-based working, now is a perfect opportunity to consider how those benefi ts can reshape your workplace.
The majority of people do not want to return to life exactly as it was prior to the pandemic, they do not want to spend time sitting in traffi c or travelling by public transport to come back to an uninspiring work environment. The onus is now on the employers to provide a work environment that attracts, rather than forces their teams back to the offi ce.
The importance of this has been even further enhanced with the current war for talent. A recent study by Microsoft showed that 41% of employees are considering leaving their current employer this year, with 46% saying they’re likely to leave because they can now work remotely. What would this mean for your business? Giving staff fl exibility in where and how they work is key to ensure you keep hold of the talent that is vital to ensuring your business remains relevant.
Knowing where to start may seem rather daunting, and we get that! That’s why here at Calibro, we’re trying to bring you the latest offi ce insights and resources to make your job that little bit easier.
Feel free to head over to our website to have a browse through some of our Insights and Fitout Resources for further information. If you have any questions regarding your return to the workplace, we would be delighted to hear from you.
www.calibroworkspace.com
