Unlocking Recruitment Potential: Insights from Solving the Recruitment Conundrum

On November 14, 2024, Surrey Chambers of Commerce, in collaboration with Surrey County Council, hosted Solving the Recruitment Conundrum at the Login Business Lounge in Camberley. This event spotlighted innovative strategies to address recruitment challenges by engaging with untapped talent pools, such as neurodiverse individuals, refugees, ex-military personnel, and prison leavers.

The event’s centrepiece was an inspiring panel chaired by Martine Robins of The HR Dept Surrey Hills. The panel included professionals and advocates with lived experiences, highlighting the realities and opportunities within non-traditional recruitment.

• Molly Ellis: Shared insights on hiring prison leavers and the success of vocational training programs like CRED, which facilitate reintegration into the workforce.
• Fayaz Nayeb: Spoke about navigating employment as a refugee, emphasizing the critical role of job centres in supporting CV development and interview preparation.
• Heike Jord Knip: Offered a personal perspective on neurodiversity, discussing his journey as a neurodiverse individual and his efforts to promote understanding through ND Workshops.
• Clare Burgess: Representing Sight for Surrey, addressed inclusive recruitment for visually impaired individuals, advocating for thoughtful accommodations and the use of inclusive language in job postings.

In addition to the panel, attendees explored stands from a variety of organisations supporting underrepresented groups, including Surrey Choices, AS Mentoring, the DWP, ALPS, Sensory Services, the Career Transition Partnership, Surrey Youth Hub, Coldingley Prison, and Business Surrey. These stands showcased actionable strategies for fostering inclusive workplaces and accessing diverse talent pools.

The event also highlighted additional recruitment tools, such as Skills Bootcamps and Apprenticeships, offering employers practical pathways to equip individuals with the skills needed for modern workforce demands while fostering diversity.

The event underscored several critical themes:

• The value of integrating diverse talents into the workforce, supported by tailored vocational programs.
• The importance of fostering inclusivity through accessible language and workplace adjustments.
• Practical steps businesses can take to combat unconscious bias and engage with untapped talent sources effectively.

Solving the Recruitment Conundrum was not just a discussion but a call to embrace diversity as a business imperative. By challenging traditional approaches and fostering inclusivity, organizations can address recruitment challenges and unlock new opportunities for innovation and growth.

As businesses, let us build on these insights to drive meaningful change and create a future where every individual’s potential is recognised and valued.