CATALYST Issue 2 | Page 39

Talent Centric the top 1% of universities worldwide, while with some who have moved into non-sourcing Ulster University includes one of the largest specialisms such as business intelligence, provisions in computing; it is one of the marketing, and technology; 60% have been world’s top 100 young universities. promoted within two years of employment.   In 2016, Belfast was named the world’s Due to growth, we launched our High number one business-friendly city for Potential Team Lead Programme in 2016, its size by the Foreign Direct Investment identifying future team leaders. This involves intelligence division of the FT, and this year, developmental tasks such as formal training, was hailed as the best-performing region of stretch assignments, personal growth and the UK for foreign direct investment self-review. So far, 70% of participants have job creation. Against this backdrop, progressed into team lead-level roles. Our Belfast stood out as a high contender for second programme launched earlier this year. investment opportunity. For new recruits, our buddy-mentoring Belfast’s candidate pools and pipelines are scheme partners starters with an experienced particularly rich and the Northern Ireland mentor, who supports their transition into Department for the Economy invests a confident young business professional heavily in nurturing local talent – something through a 12-week process. Not only does Alexander Mann Solutions admired. this promote personal growth, it provides a The Belfast Global Client Service Centre friendly point of contact. is home to more than 240 staff, 80% within Wider community sourcing and attraction, 20% in Supporting the community, our business intelligence, finance, centre partners with The Prince’s IT, procurement, legal, internal Trust to help young people aged resourcing, marketing and 13-30 who are unemployed, implementation. Our centre struggling at school or at risk of is built on experienced talent “At our Belfast centre, underachievement or exclusion. from the local Belfast market we have an emphasis We facilitate tailored workshops and graduates from our in CV writing, interviews, team Recruitment Academy who on ‘growing our building, communication, and have completed an Assured own’ talent” more. Our Belfast employees Skills Programme, supported share their knowledge and by the local Department for experience of working in client the Economy. teams, to make workshops Growing our talent engaging. These equate to the In Belfast, we have an emphasis equivalent of two GCSE’s and give on ‘growing our own’ talent. Supported by the students an insight into the world of work. Our Department for the Economy, the Alexander careers talks, held at our office, give an idea Mann Solutions Recruitment Academy of what it is like to work at Alexander Mann is a six-week pre-employment training Solutions, and roles within our business. programme for high-potential individuals, We also fundraise for the Prince’s Trust, equipping its graduates with business and in 2016, took part in an entrepreneurial skills, from communication to effective project competing with other local businesses team building, alongside a specific focus on in Northern Ireland, over nine months. Our recruitment skills and candidate-sourcing colleagues raised £10,000 for the charity and techniques. won the regional competition in Northern Through this, we have taken on 100 Ireland, going on to achieve ninth place in the previously unemployed graduates as national competition. Interview workshops permanent employees at our Belfast Global have also been provided to Action Mental Client Service Centre primarily in sourcing Health Northern Ireland and local schools; there is a dedicated project team to ensure this focus continues, as part of Alexander Mann Solutions’ commitment to ensuring business acts as a force for good. Issue 2 - 2017 39