- January 30, 2024
We’re delighted to have launched our latest whitepaper Evolve: building a better future.
The whitepaper explores the FM industry’s continued struggle with recruitment and retention, in particular following Brexit and the Covid 19 pandemic. It discusses the wealth of untapped potential that lies within various underrepresented groups and the opportunities for upskilling and cross-skilling, as well as wider economic advantages.
Contained in the whitepaper are a wealth of key insights, including the fact that a lot of businesses aren’t thinking about recruitment in a dynamic enough way. There is an untapped potential workforce in underrepresented and marginalised groups such as ex-offenders, ex-service personnel, care leavers, former sports professionals, people with disabilities and long-term unemployed people. The paper discusses the stigma associated with underrepresented groups and highlights that these are often the people that have the skillset, dedication, and passion to make a difference.
As explained in the whitepaper, recruitment is just the first step. Nurturing underrepresented individuals on a thriving journey will bring lifechanging outcomes for them individually, allow businesses to evolve and become more diverse, and help the industry evolve, delivering benefits for the wider economy. The paper presents real-world examples including results that showed a two percent increase in ex-offenders successfully steered into jobs within six months of release resulted in cutting crime, reducing spending in the justice system by £18 billion, and a nine percent reduction in reoffending.
Matt Chapman, our CEO, said: “It’s unacceptable for anyone to be overlooked, no matter their background. We need to break down barriers and open minds. It’s fundamental we build trust and unity in society, rather than fuelling segregation.
“FM has an ageing workforce and has experienced difficulties in attracting young talent. It still has a way to go on this front. Meanwhile, there are myriad untapped skillsets and potential in diverse groups. Care leavers, ex-offenders, veterans, people with disabilities, long-term unemployed and ex-sports professionals, to name a few, have so much to give and to teach others. Often, they just need an opportunity and a helping hand to get going. Society needs to change. Minds need to open. With the employment and talent challenges we are seeing, means now is a perfect time.”
Click here to download Evolve: building a better future now.