Why This Matters
The voluntary and community sector is powered by over 53,000 staff and 240,000 volunteers, but many organisations don’t have dedicated HR support. This means that workforce development - such as recruitment, retention, and succession planning - is often a challenge.
Our research has shown that organisations in our sector across Northern Ireland are looking for affordable and practical guidance to help them attract and retain talent, build strong teams, and ensure long-term sustainability. This programme will provide exactly that - free, accessible support tailored to the sector’s needs.
What’s Included?
NICVA’s Engaging and Retaining Talent Programme is built around three key areas:
✅ HR Policy Guidance – We’re creating user-friendly guidance on key topics such as employee engagement, diversity and inclusion, performance management, and staff wellbeing. Alongside this, organisations will have access to customisable templates to make implementation easier.
✅ Training Events – We’ll be running five free training sessions each year, covering essential workforce topics to help organisations build their HR knowledge and put best practices in place.
✅ Bespoke HR Clinics – For more tailored support, we’ll be offering one-to-one clinics, to participating organisations, helping them implement their workforce development programmes effectively.
Who Can Take Part?
This programme is open to all voluntary and community sector organisations in Northern Ireland, whether you’re a small grassroots group or a larger charity looking to strengthen your workforce approach.
How to Get Involved
The Engaging and Retaining Talent Programme launches in March 2025, and spaces for training and clinics are limited. Click on the links below to register to attend each of the events taking place in NICVA, Belfast.
- Employee Engagement and Motivation – 25 March
- Effective Performance Management – 16 April
- Work-Life Balance and Employee Wellbeing – 9 May
- Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion – 3 June
- Succession Planning & Development – 25 June
By working together, we can help strengthen the community and voluntary sector’s workforce, making it more resilient, sustainable, and ready for the future.
This programme is delivered as part of the NICVA Voluntary and Community Sector Workforce Development Programme supported under the EMPOWER Programme funded by Halifax Foundation NI.
