CIPD

Epizódy

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  Podcast 234: Recruiting and supporting refugee talent in the workplace 16.09.2026 33min

  According to UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), there are approximately 548,400 refugees in the UK – yet many highly qualified, experienced people remain locked out of meaningful work. Not by ability, but by structural barriers: recruitment processes that filter out valuable candidates, unrecognised or unfamiliar qualifications, and in many cases, a basic misconception among employers about whether refugees can legally be employed at all.Join Nigel Cassidy and this month's guests – Jenny Walton, CEO at Refugee Employment Network; Nikki von Bulow, Director of HR Consultancy Services and CIPD Trust Rebuilding Futures Mentor; and Oksana Hulyk, Legal Adviser and HR Professional – as they draw on lived and professional experience to explore how people professionals can remove these barriers and open up meaningful employment for refugee talent.In this episode, our panel explores:What role people professionals can play in removing barriers to refugee employment, from right-to-work misconceptions to recruitment processes that filter out valuable candidatesWhy supporting refugee employment is a workforce strategy, not a philanthropic gestureHow to equip line managers with the skills and confidence to support refugee talent once they’re in post---Your next listen:CIPD Podcast 226 – Closing skill gaps from within: the case for internal mobilityCIPD Podcast 217 – Willing and able: Unlocking opportunities for prison leavers More from this episode:Guide: Hiring refugees – Guide for people professionals (CIPD Trust)Case study: Rebuilding Futures and forming a friendship that goes beyond mentoring (CIPD Trust)Website: Refugee Employment NetworkRefugee Employment Network: Training for Employers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  HR People Pod – Ep 57: Innovation | Is ‘resilience’ a tainted word? | Dealing with AI grievances 09.09.2026 32min

  When it comes to AI-generated grievances, is this really a new problem for the profession, or a familiar one that AI has simply thrown into the spotlight? Has ‘resilience’ become a bit of a tainted word, quietly placing all the onus on the individual to cope? And during a period of labour market stagnation, how do organisations create the conditions for innovation to thrive without relying on an inflow of new talent?CIPD Head of Membership, Oli Howard, is joined by Rebecca Monk, Chief People Officer at Softcat plc and Trish Hewitt, Founder and Managing Director at Haylo HR and CEO of Resolution at Work.Recorded: 04 September 2026---Additional resources:Report | Labour Market Outlook – Summer 2026Guide | Resilience: Guide for people professionals to support employeesEmployment Law | AI and technology in the workplace: UK employment lawResources | AI in the workplace Your next listen:CIPD Podcast - Episode 233: Courageous conversationsHR People Pod – Ep 39: Rewriting the rules on workplace conflict – with David LiddleHR People Pod – Ep 28: Hilary Scarlett special – Neuroscience for organisational changeCIPD Podcast – Episode 223: Beyond learning - Mobilising L&D for organisational change Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  HR People Pod – Ep 56: L&D – Proving impact and preparing for what's next - with David James 26.08.2026 18min

  Why does the question of L&D's return on investment refuse to go away, decade after decade? What does it really mean to measure success as a learning and development function — and are we often measuring the wrong things entirely? And as organisations transform at pace, what will businesses be asking of L&D professionals in five years' time that they aren't asking today?Jo Squires, CIPD Learning Designer, is joined again by David James, Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning and host of The Learning and Development Podcast, where in part two of this two-part special, they explore how L&D can build credibility and prove its impact, the enduring skills that will keep the profession relevant, and what lies ahead for L&D as the world of work continues to change.Recorded: 7 August 2026---Additional resources:L&D tools: Building your business case – a practical pathwayL&D tools: A performance-led approach to skills and capability planningArticle | Performance focused L&D business partner Your next listen:HR People Pod – Ep 55: L&D – From order-taker to strategic partner - with David JamesCIPD Podcast 202: Evidence-based L&D – Asking the right questionsThe Learning and Development Podcast with David James Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Podcast 233: Courageous conversations 19.08.2026 32min

  How often do we shy away from tough conversations, or avoid workplaces issues in the hope they’ll simply resolve themselves? It’s human instinct to avoid the uncomfortable, after all. But what impact is this avoidance having in our workplaces? Performance issues go unaddressed, poor behaviour gets worked around, and tension between colleagues is smoothed over rather than named. Left unresolved, these situations can breed misunderstanding, strain relationships, and quietly erode culture and performance. So what do courageous conversations actually look like in practice? Join Nigel Cassidy and this month's guests – Joan O'Connor, Head of Leadership Practice at 10Eighty; Jo Carlin, Chief People Officer at Effective Energy Group; and Corinne Micallef, director, facilitator and coach with the National Theatre's Theatreworks programme – as they explore how people professionals, line managers and business leaders can move from avoidance to having courageous conversations. In this episode, our panel explores: Why courageous conversations are a core leadership skill rather than a nice-to-have – and what happens when organisations avoid them. How does silence become an organisational risk? What’s the difference between a ‘difficult’ conversation and a ‘courageous’ one. How can we build embed courage as a daily practice. What holds people professionals, business leaders and line managers back from speaking up – and what helps them push through it?---Your next listen: CIPD Podcast 214: Success starts small – Building sustainable workplace habits CIPD Podcast 212: Creating a culture of psychological safety at work HR People Pod – Episode 52: Courageous leadership, clarity and organisational falafel – with Diana Osagie More from this episode: CIPD Profession Map – Professional courage and influence  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  HR People Pod – Ep 55: L&D – From order-taker to strategic partner - with David James 12.08.2026 26min

  How can L&D build the infrastructure, capabilities and credibility needed to become a true growth engine within organisations? What role should L&D play as businesses adopt a more skills-based approach? And when it comes to habitual learning, is the responsibility with the organisation, the individual, or both?Jo Squires, CIPD Learning Designer is joined by David James, Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning and host of The Learning and Development Podcast, where in part one of a two-part special, they explore how L&D can position itself as an engine for growth and the importance for individuals to make learning a habit.Recorded: 7 August 2026---Additional resources:L&D tools: A performance-led approach to skills and capability planningAnalysis | How L&D can create value: Focussing on skills developmentL&D tools: Building your business case – a practical pathwayYour next listen:CIPD Podcast 232: The journey to a skills-based organisation: The role of L&DHR People Pod 54: Future planning as a discipline – with Tom CheesewrightThe Learning and Development Podcast with David James Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  HR People Pod – Ep 54: Future planning as a discipline - with Tom Cheesewright 29.07.2026 27min

  Curate, create, communicate – why are these three Cs so pivotal to future-proofing your career? What's the risk of dehumanising work through automation? And how can we help leaders think about the future without oversimplifying it or overwhelming them?CIPD Director of Profession David D'Souza is joined by Applied Futurist, Tom Cheesewright as they explore why planning for the future isn't a one-off decision, but a discipline organisations have to build in.Recorded: 09 June 2026 at CIPD Festival of Work---Your next listen:CIPD Podcast 213: Skilling up your organisation now and for the futureCIPD Podcast 232: The journey towards a skills-based organisation: The role of L&DHR People Pod – Ep 49: Business impact | Employee empowerment | Change readiness in an AI worldHR People Pod – Ep 43: Inside Davos – AI, work and the future of identity - with Allyn BaileyMore from this episode:Topic: AI in the workplaceThought leadership: The future of work – Insights for senior leaders on drivers of changeAnalysis: Evolution of the people profession Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Podcast 232: The journey towards a skills-based organisation - The role of L&D 22.07.2026 35min

  As business priorities shift, skills shortages intensify and technology changes the nature of work, organisations need a clearer view of the skills and capabilities they have — and how to deploy them where they can create the greatest impact. But how can learning professionals support the building of new capability at pace and scale, when many organisations still struggle to see what skills exist in the workforce, to what level of expertise, or to move that capability to where it's needed most? Join Nigel Cassidy and this month's guests – Shona Marshall, Founder of The ASM Difference; Laurell Hector, Managing Director at McManus HRD; and Andrew Jacobs, Learning Strategist and Founder of Llarn Learning – as they explore L&D's role in supporting the shift to becoming a skills-based organisation. In this episode, our panel explores: Why L&D is critical to enabling skills-based transformation, by responding to business priorities and driving the performance they require How skills intelligence, taxonomies and internal marketplaces can inform smarter, workforce planning, internal mobility and learning investment. What must change in how learning is designed and delivered – moving away from linear, one-off training programmes towards continuous, skills-led development that keeps pace with changing skills landscape. ---Your next listen: CIPD Podcast 231: The journey to a skills-based organisation CIPD Podcast 207: HR’s next top operating model HR People Pod – Episode 48: Leadership reflections | Skills visibility | Workload creep More from this episode: Guide – Skills matching: Using and deploying people’s skills effectively in the workplace Analysis – How L&D can create value: Focussing on skills development  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  HR People Pod – Ep 53: Progression conversations | ERA 2025: Probation | Relationship building 15.07.2026 34min

  HR People Pod – Ep 53: Progression conversations | ERA 2025: Probation | Relationship buildingWhat's the real cost when organisations avoid honest career progression conversations? As the qualifying period for unfair dismissal drops from two years to six months under the Employment Rights Act 2025, how ready are managers to really make probation periods count? And with managers stretched thinner than ever, has building real relationships with their people become an afterthought?CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by Cheryl Samuels, co-founder of #InclusiveHR; Vilma Nikolaidou, Director of People and Culture at the British Film Institute; and Marc Weedon, Executive Coach, HR Consultant and Owner of excelHR.Recorded: 10 July 2026---Additional resources:Tracking law changes: Employment Rights Act 2025Guidance: Effectively managing probationYour next listen:CIPD Podcast 226: Closing skill gaps from within: the case for internal mobilityHR People Pod – Ep 39: Rewriting the rules on workplace conflict – with David Liddle Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  HR People Pod – Ep 52: Courageous leadership, clarity and organisational falafel - with Diana Osagie 01.07.2026 29min

  What does courageous leadership really look like when the pressure is on? How can leaders move beyond assumptions and opaque messaging to create genuine clarity? And why is humility one of the most important pillars of good leadership?CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by author, leadership coach and founder of Courageous Leadership Consultancy, Diana Osagie, to explore how leaders can transform thinking, build better organisational habits and create the clarity and confidence to have the conversations that matter.Recorded: 10 June 2026---Additional resources:Article: Diana Osagie on the foundations of courageous leadership (People Management)Explore more from Diana Osagie on courageous and empowered leadershipYour next listen:CIPD Podcast 214: Success starts small – Building sustainable workplace habitsHR People Pod – Ep 44: Crisis leadership | Impact of employee benefits | Friction-maxxing at workHR People Pod – Ep 37: Leading under pressure – with Professor Kevin Fong Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Podcast 231: The journey towards a skills-based organisation 24.06.2026 31min

  For decades, jobs have helped organisations structure work, allocate responsibilities and make decisions about people. But as business priorities shift, skills shortages intensify and technology changes the nature of work, organisations need a clearer view of the skills and capabilities they have — and how to deploy them where they can create the greatest impact.  Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests – Simone Carroll, CHRO and Director; Stephen Findlay, Head of Organisational Development at Skills Development Scotland; and Alex Boulting, Global OD & HR Transformation Leader at Ebbnflow – as they explore what it means to become a skills-based organisation.   In this episode, our panel explores: •What it means to become a skills-based organisation, and how skills can complement rather than replace traditional job and role structures •How people professionals can identify current and future skills needs, connect skills to business impact, and rethink recruitment, workforce planning, performance and development •Why skills-based transformation is not just an HR project, but a people strategy requiring co-creation, trust, cultural change and the right use of skills data and technology ---Your next listen:CIPD Podcast 207: HR’s next top operating modelHR People Pod – Episode 48: Leadership reflections | Skills visibility | Workload creepMore from this episode:Guide – Skills matching: Using and deploying people’s skills effectively in the workplaceAnalysis – How L&D can create value: Focussing on skills development Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  HR People Pod – Ep 51: Agentic AI | Entry-level careers | Defining moments in HR 17.06.2026 29min

  As agentic AI moves beyond being a tool and starts to act with greater autonomy, how should organisations think about trust, oversight and accountability? If entry-level roles are changing — or even shrinking — what does that mean for young people trying to take their first step into work, and for employers hoping to build future capability? And which pivotal career moments can change how HR professionals think about their work, their leadership and their impact?CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza, is joined by Jo Carlin, Chief People Officer at Effective Energy Group, and Andy Stephenson, Director at Dove Nest Group. Recorded: 11 June 2026 ---Additional resources:Case studies: AI in the workplacehttps://www.cipd.org/en/topics/artificial-intelligence-workplace/Guide: How people professionals can develop, deploy, and use AU in an ethical, legal and sustainable wayhttps://www.cipd.org/en/knowledge/guides/people-professionals-ai-use/Skills for the future: Why investment in early talent is crucial for workforce successhttps://www.cipd.org/en/views-and-insights/thought-leadership/insight/investment-early-talent/Your next listen:CIPD Podcast 228: The missing first rung: Are we sleepwalking into a talent crisis?https://www.cipd.org/en/knowledge/podcasts/missing-first-rung-are-we-sleeping-into-a-talent-crisis/CIPD Podcast 229: From AI experimentation to AI maturityhttps://www.cipd.org/en/knowledge/podcasts/from-ai-experimentation-to-ai-maturity/HR People Pod - Ep 43: Inside Davos - AI, work and the future of identity - with Allyn Baileyhttps://www.cipd.org/uk/knowledge/podcasts/hr-people-pod/#:~:text=on%20benefits%202026-,HR%20People%20Pod%20%E2%80%93%20Ep%2043%3A%20Inside%20Davos%20%E2%80%93%20AI%2C%20work%20and%20the%20future%20of%20identity%20%2D%20with%20Allyn%20Bailey,-Duration%3A%2000%3A34HR Coffee Time with Fay Wallis - Episode 155https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zi4ib2ER6g Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  HR People Pod – Ep 50: National Volunteers’ Week | The line manager conundrum | Controlling costs while planning for growth 03.06.2026 27min

  It’s National Volunteers’ Week from the 1st to the 7th of June. The impact of volunteering on creating pathways and enhancing career opportunities both into and within the workplace is well known. But what about the benefits and rewards for those who offer their time as voluntary mentors? Plus, a recent People Management Magazine article suggests that only 15% of non-managers find the prospect of becoming a line manager appealing, so how do we prepare the next generation of professionals to embrace line manager roles and the challenges that come with that? Finally, with the CIPD’s Labour Market Outlook Report Spring 2026 demonstrating that 58% of employers are prioritising cost challenges above growth, how can organisations strike the right balance between controlling costs now and protecting their ability to expand and remain competitive in the future?In this special fiftieth episode of the HR People Pod, we welcome back guest host, Leah De Silva, Senior Programme Manager for the CIPD Trust. Joining her in the studio are Emma Jayne, Chief People Officer at KYN and Elaine Grell, Chief People Officer (EMEA) at Ogilvy.Recorded: 30th May 2026---Explore more from this episode:National Volunteer’s WeekVolunteer opportunities - CIPD TrustImpact and guidance - CIPD TrustMost employees say becoming a manager is not appealing, survey revealsLabour Market Outlook | CIPD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Podcast 230: Why financial wellbeing is a business performance issue 27.05.2026 31min

  Financial wellbeing is often treated as a personal challenge, but money worries can have a direct impact on performance, absence, engagement and retention. More concerningly, just 15 per cent of UK organisations have a formal financial wellbeing policy or strategy, according to the CIPD’s latest Reward Survey 2026, supported by Everywhen. So, what role should people professionals play in supporting employees’ financial wellbeing?Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests – Mona Parikh, Associate Director, Reward at Coventry University; Charlie Goodman, Client Director at Everywhen; and Charles Cotton, Senior Policy and Practice Adviser, Pay, Reward and Performance – as they explore why financial wellbeing is not an ‘add-on’, but a strategic workforce challenge.---More from this episode:Report: Reward Survey: Focus on Benefits 2026Guide: Employee financial wellbeingWebsite: Money Helper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  HR People Pod – Ep 49: Business impact | Employee empowerment | Change readiness in an AI world 20.05.2026 35min

  As organisations face growing pressure to perform, how can HR move beyond operational excellence to become a true driver of business performance? What does it take to put employee empowerment at the heart of the workplace and give people the trust and clarity to act with confidence? And with the pace of change only accelerating, how can the profession build the mindset needed for genuine change readiness?In this special International HR Day episode, CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by Asha Musoni, Chief People and Transformation Officer at the CBI, and Mark Pavlika, Chief People and Purpose Officer at Bicycle London.Recorded: 15 May 2026---Explore more from this episode:CIPD Members: Change management toolsAI in the workplace: Case studiesCreating People Advantage Survey 2026Your next listen:HR People Pod – Ep43: Inside Davos – AI, work and the future of identity - with Allyn BaileyCIPD Podcast – Episode 229: From AI experimentation to AI maturityCIPD Podcast – Episode 223: Beyond learning - Mobilising L&D for organisational change Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  HR People Pod – Ep 48: Leadership reflections | Skills visibility | Workload creep 06.05.2026 36min

  What do senior HR leaders wish they had known before stepping into a CPO or HRD role? How can organisations move beyond vague talk of “future skills” and build a practical view of workforce capability? And when employees increasingly work beyond their formal remit, is that simply the reality of modern work — or a sign of workload creep? CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by Adese Okojie, HR leader and founder of Black Women in HR (BWHR), Kevin Green, Chief People Officer at FirstGroup, and Matt Elliott, Chief People Officer at Bank of Ireland. Recorded: 01 May 2026 --- Explore more from this episode: CIPD/Omni Report: Resourcing and Talent Planning Creating People Advantage Survey 2025  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Podcast 229: From AI experimentation to AI maturity 29.04.2026 33min

  As use of artificial intelligence moves beyond experimentation, are organisations starting to see real value – or struggling to turn promise into impact? As AI experimentation gives way to scaled adoption, the pressure is on to achieve tangible returns while managing new risks for people, jobs and organisational culture.Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests – Graeme Burns, AI People and Communications Leader at Nationwide Building Society; Ben Redshaw, Director and Founder at Orchard Tree Consulting; and Hayfa Mohdzaini, Senior Policy and Practice Adviser - Technology at CIPD – as they explore what AI maturity looks like in practice, where organisations are getting stuck and the critical role people professionals play in embedding AI responsibly and effectively.In this episode, we explore: What AI maturity means in practice and the common components of AI maturity How can organisations realistically and meaningfully assess their current level of AI maturity What role can people professionals play in helping build the culture, capabilities and organisational readiness needed to scale AI effectively. ---More from this episode:Explore content supported by the Innovate UK BridgeAI programmeGuide: How people professionals can develop, deploy and use AI in an ethical, legal and sustainable wayHR People Pod - Ep43: Inside Davos - AI, work and the future of identity - with Allyn Bailey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  HR People Pod – Ep 47: Disability disclosure | CEO avatars | Engagement | Productivity myths 22.04.2026 34min

  Why are HR professionals still feeling forced to hide their disabilities just to get hired? Could an AI version of your CEO really replace human leadership — and what happens when technology starts delivering the messages people most need to hear from a real person? And when engagement is falling and productivity remains stubbornly low, are organisations solving the wrong problems altogether? CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by Clair Staines, Chief People Officer at POWWR, David Balls, Principal Consultant at Helix People Solutions, and Cheryl Samuels, People and Culture Director in the NHS and co-founder of #InclusiveHR. Recorded: 17 April 2026 --- Explore more from this episode: CIPD announces Neil Carberry as new Chief Executive Guide: Recruiting, managing and developing people with a disability or health condition Resources: AI in the workplace   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  HR People Pod – Ep 46: Measuring culture, driving performance – with Hani Nabeel 08.04.2026 35min

  How do you take culture from something leaders instinctively talk about to something they can genuinely understand, measure and act on? What can one of the largest behavioural studies of its kind tell us about the link between culture and business outcomes? And if traditional measures like engagement only tell part of the story where should people professionals look for a clearer view on what’s really driving performance? CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by Hani Nabeel, Chief Behavioural Scientist at iPsychTec and author of Culture Analytics: An evidence-based approach to company culture, to explore the evidence behind culture and performance. Recorded: 20 February 2026 --- Explore more from this episode: Book: Culture Analytics: An evidence-based approach to company culture – Hani Nabeel Your next listen: CIPD Podcast 220: Do leaders establish culture, or are they a product of it? HR People Pod – Ep39: Rewriting the rules on workplace conflict – with David Liddle HR People Pod – Ep37: Leading under pressure – with Professor Kevin Fong  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  HR People Pod – Ep 45: The problem with pay secrecy | Pressure-proof managers | Are PIPs broken? 25.03.2026 35min

  Why are so many employers still hiding salary details when candidates increasingly expect pay transparency? While technical capability might win a promotion, are organisations doing enough to prepare managers for the pressure that comes with leadership? And when performance improvement plans (PIPs) are so often seen as a step towards the exit, can they still be a credible tool for improvement?CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza, is joined by Sally Hopper, Director of People at London Fire Brigade, and David Blackburn, Managing Director of David R. Blackburn Consulting.Recorded: 20 March 2026---Explore more from this episode:CIPD – Tracking law changes: Employment Rights Act 2025Your next listen:HR People Pod – Ep37: Leading under pressure – with Professor Kevin FongCIPD Podcast – Episode 194: Is pay transparency good for business Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Podcast 228: The missing first rung: Are we sleepwalking into a talent crisis? 18.03.2026 26min

  As organisations face mounting cost pressures and AI absorbs many entry-level responsibilities, there is a growing risk that entry-level pathways will disappear by default rather than by design. But what are the unintended consequences of hollowing out the roles where future capability, judgement and innovation are built?Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests — Orianne Wightman, Emerging Talent Director at Arm; Craig Pattison, Founder of Elevate Executive Coaching; and Lizzie Crowley, Senior Skills Policy Adviser at CIPD — as they examine how organisations must redesign work, opportunity and progression, before capability gaps begin to surface in talent pipelines, performance and long-term organisational resilience. In this episode, we explore:-         Why shrinking entry-level opportunities – and the erosion of the first rungs of the career ladder – could become a critical organisational risk-         The consequences when organisations stop creating and developing talent and instead become net consumers of talent-         How organisations must redesign roles, routes into work and progression pathways to protect future capability and sustain healthy talent pipelines Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.