The Pulse

10 Apr 2025

Mind the Gap: Why equal pay audits are essential for Local Authority success

Tackling the gender pay gap is strategic, not just legal. Equal pay audits help councils modernise, plan better, and lead credibly—driving smarter decisions, stronger teams, and more resilient public services.

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10 Apr 2025

Building windmills, not walls: Rule AI in or rule it out!

AI is already in the public sector. The question isn’t if we adopt it, but how. Siloed adoption creates uncertainty—so we must lead with intention. Like the wind, AI is powerful. Let’s build windmills, not walls. The future is about using AI to serve the public good, stay ethical, and lead with purpose.

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10 Apr 2025

Future-Proofing Your Workforce: The Power of Talent Communities

Building talent communities creates a ready pool of engaged candidates, reducing recruitment time and cost. By nurturing interest and re-engaging strong applicants, organisations can future-proof hiring. WME supports this through WMJobs and Tribepad tools.

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17 Apr 2025

Employment Landscape Changes – the impact on recruitment

The Employment Rights Bill signals major UK workplace reform, expanding day one rights and protections for vulnerable workers. While businesses fear recruitment challenges and rising costs, opportunities emerge for fairer hiring, workforce resilience, and inclusive growth. Local Government must adapt positively to harness talent and support long-term workforce strategy.

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31 Mar 2025

West Midlands Employers unveils ambitious Strategic Plan for 2025-2030

West Midlands Employers (WME) has launched an ambitious Strategic Plan for 2025-2030, focused on building high-performing, future-ready workforces. With priorities like leadership, collaboration, and workforce innovation, the plan will drive regional prosperity, tackle workforce challenges, and ensure the West Midlands remains a great place to work, live, and thrive.

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27 Mar 2025

West Midlands’ Collaborative Approach to Social Work: A Decade of Workforce Stability

Colleen Male, Executive Director for Children’s Services at Walsall Council, explores how the West Midlands tackled agency staff chaos and transformed children's social work.

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10 Apr 2025

PS IHEART You: Episode 6 - From Learning to Leading - Gen Z’s Impact on Public Service

In this thought-provoking episode of PS I ?? You, Michelle O’Neill, Matthew Hotten and Nick Rice (Warwickshire County Council ) dive into how ‘squiggly’ careers and talent mobility can help shape a more agile, inclusive and future-ready public sector. From Gen Z’s evolving career expectations to the changing face of leadership and learning in the age of AI, the trio explore how we can unlock potential across the workforce.

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11 Mar 2025

PS IHEART You Episode 5: Bridging the Gap: Gen Z, Work, and the Future of Public Sector Careers

How can employers attract & retain Gen Z talent? In Public Sector I HEART You, we chat with Shoshana (Fairy Job Mother) about Gen Z values, recruitment strategies & social media engagement to future-proof the workforce.

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25 Feb 2025

PS IHEART You Episode 4 - Harnessing Engagement & Culture: What Every Leader Needs to Know

Join Rebecca Davis, CEO of West Midlands Employers, and organisational culture expert Stephanie Wheeler as they unpack what truly drives employee engagement and how leaders can shape a thriving workplace.

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31 Jan 2025

WMJobs Fair 2025 Attendee Interviews

Watch the WMJobs fair highlights for 2025 and the attendee interviews.

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25 Nov 2024

'I Am Not A Robot' Coaching and Mentoring conference 2024

Discover how the 'I Am Not A Robot' Coaching and Mentoring Conference by West Midlands Employers explored the balance between human intuition and digital tools.

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24 Sep 2024

Tri-Sector Challenge 2024

Join us as we reflect on the Tri-Sector Challenge; a unique leadership event bringing together the public, private, and third sectors to solve real-world challenges.

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