People professionals key to driving inclusion, access and lasting change, says new CIPD Trust report

The CIPD Trust’s latest annual impact report shows the positive difference people professionals are making – helping more people access and progress in work and connecting individuals and organisations to drive lasting systemic change.  

Over the past year, the Trust helped 1,110 people to find meaningful work, develop their skills and build their careers. 

• 276 people benefited from targeted mentoring programmes designed for groups facing barriers to work, such as refugees, parents and carers, young people, people with convictions and people returning to work after a career break. 
• 159 people re-entered the workforce with support from our Bridging the Gap programme. 
• 53 displaced people received support from our Rebuilding Futures programme, and we connected a further 30 people with refugee status to people professionals for mentoring and employment advice. 

Through our Aspiring HR Director programme, we matched 30 people professionals with senior leaders to accelerate their development. Our jobseeker webinar series drew in 671 live participants, with a further 1,932 accessing the recordings, increasing impact and engagement. 

The report also highlights our pilot mentoring programme at HMP Styal in Cheshire. This case study shows how expert support, both before and after release, is vital for helping prison leavers move into meaningful employment. Through a partnership with the New Futures Network, the Trust is enabling senior leaders to join prison employment advisory boards and shape lasting change. 

Throughout the report, we share personal case studies to bring the impact of the Trust's work to life. Encouragingly, 68% of people professionals who worked with the Trust said they’ve used their learnings to make improvements in their own organisations. They’ve made adjustments across recruitment, policies, inclusive language and support initiatives to support better work and working lives for all.   

The report is due to be unveiled in full at the CIPD’s Annual Conference and Exhibition, taking place in Manchester on 5 and 6 November. 

Looking ahead, the CIPD Trust remains committed to expanding its reach and influence. We’ll do this by strengthening collaborations with charities and expert organisations and continuing to empower people professionals to drive inclusion.