Partner Article

North East Businesses Offered Free Inclusive Recruitment Training

A free workshop teaching North East businesses how to modernise their recruitment practices and attract diverse talent launches this month as part of the region's Economic Inactivity Trailblazer initiative.

Zenith Training's Inclusive Recruitment That Works session offers employers practical strategies to redesign job roles, write more effective job descriptions, and implement alternative selection methods - without lowering standards.

The three-hour workshop addresses a key challenge facing regional employers: traditional recruitment approaches often fail to reach the full spectrum of available talent, resulting in smaller candidate pools and longer vacancy periods.

"Many businesses are missing out on excellent candidates because their recruitment processes inadvertently exclude people who could excel in the role," said Steven Welsh, Client Relationship Manager at Zenith Training. "This workshop shows employers how to remove unnecessary barriers while maintaining high standards."

Participants will learn how to identify truly essential job requirements versus "nice-to-haves" that unnecessarily limit talent pools. The workshop covers alternative interview formats, skills-based assessments, and methods to reduce unconscious bias in selection processes.

A key component focuses on expanding recruitment networks, with attendees mapping local talent partners and community organisations across the North East. The session also provides information on accessing funding for reasonable adjustments and workplace accommodations.

The workshop takes a practical approach, with participants working through real examples, reviewing job descriptions, and collaborating with other business leaders. Attendees can bring their own recruitment materials for feedback and will leave with templates, checklists, and contact lists for immediate implementation.

Business owners handling their own recruitment, HR professionals, recruitment managers, and department heads involved in hiring decisions will all benefit from the session.

The workshop is one of four sessions in the Recruit, Retain & Thrive programme, delivered in partnership with The North East Combined Authority's Economic Inactivity Trailblazer initiative. The programme brings together health, employment, and skills services to support both individuals returning to work and the businesses that employ them.

Other sessions in the series cover inclusive onboarding, retention management, and AI applications in HR. Businesses can attend individual workshops or the complete series, with no obligation to commit to all sessions.

The workshop is offered free of charge to qualifying North East businesses, thanks to funding from The North East Combined Authority. Spaces are limited to ensure interactive participation and personalised guidance.

Businesses adopting inclusive recruitment practices typically report larger candidate pools, faster time-to-hire, improved retention rates, and stronger employer brands.

For details or to register for please visit: Recruit, Retain & Thrive - Qualified HR Advisory | Eventbrite

Recruit, Retain & Thrive is delivered by Zenith Training as part of The North East Combined Authority's Economic Inactivity Trailblazer initiative, providing expert HR guidance and hands-on workshops to help regional businesses build stronger, more resilient workforces.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Zenith Training .