Employment support charity’s workload grows as job demands change
V EMPLOYMENT CHARITY Resource celebrated its 30th birthday with a reception for 150 supporters at JW3’s Finchley Road premises last week.
Resource had been expecting Employment Minister Mims Davies to address the event but she was a late withdrawal, having been among the resignations from Boris Johnson’s government.
However, CBI director-general Tony Danker and former MP and Shadow Cabinet member Luciana Berger were on hand to discuss issues such as diversity in the workforce and new ways of working in a post-pandemic world.
They were members of a panel also including entrepreneur Alex Stephany and Alex Goat, the CEO of Livity, an enterprise supporting the younger generation.
Resource assists around 1,000 people across the country annually.
Guests were told that demand for its services has increased, with a growing need for help among those looking to leave work in the public sector, such as teachers and social workers.
Another area of rising demand was from women over 50 looking for new work opportunities.
It has also supported people affected by employment disruption over the pandemic and those facing financial difficulty as a result of the cost of living crisis, as well as personal issues like divorce.
Hailing Resource’s “fantastic work”, Ms Berger went on to note the “increasing expectation for diversity” on company payrolls.
Mr Danker reported that “we are starting to lose 50- and 60-year-olds in the workplace. It is a big problem for the country and for companies.
“The most diverse workforces have been the most successful I have seen.”
He also discussed working from home post-pandemic, saying there were many in his own organisation who strongly advocated getting all employees back to the office, arguing it was fundamental to productivity.
“I have yet to see a good study about whether it is good or bad for productivity,” he said.
“It depends on the workplace and the firm. What is very clear from the pandemic is that flexible work is good for helping people to be in work, as well as balancing other responsibilities. It is particularly good for women and carers.
“I am reluctant to join the bandwagon that says: ‘We have to get people back to the office’.”
Resource chief executive Victoria Sterman said that “with the cost of living crisis and people looking for a career change with the impact of Brexit and the pandemic, the work carried out by Resource has never been more important.
“We are supporting more groups, including those who are over 50, than ever before. Employers need people with a wide range of skills and we want to help people achieve their goals.”