Programme aims to help keep talent in our region

Jun 17 2009 By Andrew Hebden, The Journal

AN innovative programme is to be launched to try to retain in the North East talented individuals who have lost or face losing their jobs as a result of the economic downturn.

With many of the region’s leading businesses forced to cut their workforce, many are having to lose valued members of staff who would otherwise have been destined for big things in their organisations.

This has sparked fears that many rising stars will be forced to look elsewhere for opportunities to further their careers, worsening the skills shortage that existed in the region even before the current downturn.

Now a new programme has been designed to encourage the most talented people affected by the downturn to stay in the region.

The Leadership Enterprise Opportunity (LEO) programme is the brainchild of Lorna Moran, the architect of the Entrepreneurs Forum, and will be delivered through her Newcastle-based recruitment business, NRG.

The intensive four-week programme will help participants to analyse their skills and consider the opportunities available to them, which could include starting their own business or moving into a new sector. It is accredited by the universities of Teesside and Northumbria.

It will focus on educating people about the changing nature of the North East economy, so they are aware of which sectors are growing and may offer the brightest opportunities in the long term.

Delivered through peer group sessions and one-to-one coaching, the programme, which is endorsed by One North East and Business Link, also promises to offer participants access to major employers, influencers and decision makers.