Harnessing the power of business for positive change – a new report explores solutions to meet the challenges of a future workforce
Businesses can use their own experiences to drive positive change. That’s the message from a new report published today by the Purpose Coalition and leading recruitment company, Pertemps Network Group.
The Workforce of the Future report presents solutions to the economic challenges that organisations across the UK are currently facing, based on a series of roundtable discussions hosted by Pertemps and attended by major private sector employers and public bodies.
The roundtables focused on how businesses can better connect their opportunities with talent, find and develop the right skills for these roles and increase engagement of colleagues while building for the future.
The report explores the four key themes that emerged from the sessions, considers the evidence and recommends actions for policymakers on how the power of business can be harnessed for positive change:
Promoting resilience and a proactive response to economic shocks through the diversification of sectoral strategies, fostering of public-private partnerships, implementation of early warning systems and strengthening of supply chain resilience;
Adapting to the post-pandemic workplace shift through tailored flexible working, clear business practice and government-sponsored flexible working toolkits;
Investing in the workforce of the future through flexible training and apprenticeship programmes, personalised career counselling, youth-focused entrepreneurship programmes, encouragement of volunteering and community engagement and improved pathways in key sectors, all developed in close collaboration with business; and
Fostering long-term economic resilience through the expansion of capital grants, investment in upskilling and career programmes, facilitation of public-private partnerships, support of research and innovation and incentivisation of sustainability.
Chair of the Purpose Business Coalition, crossbench peer and former Labour MP, Lord Walney said:
In the aftermath of the pandemic, businesses and employers have been forced to adjust to changes in work patterns, economic uncertainties and an increasingly tight labour market. At a point when our economy is on the brink of extraordinary technological change, these drag factors have the potential to entrench stagnant productivity and become barriers to the more stable and prosperous future the country needs.
As a leading purpose-led business, Pertemps has used its expertise and professional networks to deep dive into the problems that employers are facing, listen to their individual perspectives and draw up effective solutions that are based on real-world experience.
Chair of Pertemps Network Group, Carmen Watson said:
At Pertemps, we’re all about using the influence of business to make a positive impact. Our commitment to breaking down barriers to work extends beyond mere words.
Through collaboration with organisations, sharing best practices and actively driving change, we’re using the combined strength of businesses to open doors for everyone.
The new report, inspired by our original Impact Report, is a big step forward in our ongoing mission to break down barriers to ensure everyone has access to work.
Our collaboration with the Purpose Coalition has played a pivotal role in bringing this project to fruition, empowering us to shed light on critical issues and drive positive change in our community.
Members of Parliament in attendance included Employment Minister Jo Churchill MP, Social Mobility Minister Mims Davies MP, Transport Minister Guy Opperman MP, Shadow Justice Minister Janet Daby MP, Shadow Cabinet Office Minister Dame Nia Griffith MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Wendy Chamberlain MP, Ian Levy MP, Paul Howell MP, Tim Loughton MP, Sir Conor Burns MP and more.
