In an announcement made this week at the IEP AGM 2024, Palladium’s Caroline Bostock, Director of Employability and Community Services, has been elected to the Board of the Institute of Employability Professionals (IEP), a leading UK organisation championing the professionalisation of employability services.

The IEP is the primary accrediting body for employability professionals in the UK, offering comprehensive training and development programs designed to elevate the standards of the industry. For organisations like Palladium, whose frontline teams are extensively trained under IEP’s framework, the partnership reflects a shared commitment to ensuring practitioners are equipped with the tools and skills necessary to deliver impactful support.

“I’m so honoured to have been elected to the IEP Board, especially with the backdrop of such a strong field of candidates,” says Bostock. “The reason I was keen to put myself forward is because I am committed to promoting the further professionalisation of our sector to ensure the life-changing work we do is properly supported, recognised, and rewarded.”

Bostock’s election comes at a pivotal time for the employability sector, which is undergoing significant transformation to meet the changing needs of job seekers and communities post-pandemic. With her extensive experience leading employability programs at Palladium and previously in the wider sector, she brings a wealth of practical knowledge and strategic insight to the IEP Board.

Since 2021, Palladium has delivered the Department for Work and Pensions’ Restart Scheme as a sub-contractor to Fedcap, across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, helping thousands of people that are unemployed to find meaningful work by helping them to overcome barriers to employment and gain access to sustainable careers. Many of the team working on Restart and UK Home Office’s Refugee Employment Programme have received training via IEP.

“I constantly get feedback about how much our frontline staff get from the suite of training and professional development opportunities that the IEP provides,” Bostock highlights. “I am keen to help develop, grow and champion the work of the IEP, so our staff can continue to develop and progress in this brilliant sector.”

By serving on the IEP Board, Bostock aims to contribute to shaping the future of training, accreditation, and recognition for employability professionals.
“Caroline’s vision is rooted in ensuring that the transformative work of employability teams is appropriately supported and celebrated, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation,” shares Palladium’s Becky Brocklehurst, Director of the Restart Project. “Her election also provides us with a valuable opportunity to deepen our collaboration with the IEP, leveraging insights and resources to enhance the impact of its employability programs.” Brocklehurst adds that this partnership not only benefits Palladium’s workforce but also strengthens the wider sector by raising professional standards and delivering better outcomes for job seekers and service users.

In a sector that directly impacts individuals and communities, the role of organisations like the IEP and professionals like Bostock cannot be understated. Together, they are driving forward a vision of employability that is inclusive, effective, and future-ready.

For more, contact info@thepalladiumgroup.com.