The Growing Demand for Social Value Skills
March 03, 2025Posted by:
As National Careers Week 2025 kicks off, it's clear that the professional landscape is undergoing a significant transformation. Social value has evolved from a peripheral Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) concept to a central business function - leading to a surge in roles centered around social value. This shift not only reflects businesses' growing commitment to societal impact but also presents a wealth of opportunities for individuals eager to pursue purpose-driven careers.
The Expanding Social Value Sector
The integration of social value into core business strategies, and the growing scrutiny mandated by the Procurement Act and the new Social Value model, has and will lead to a significant increase in roles dedicated to this area. Job titles such as Social Value Manager, Social Impact Officer, and Community Relations Coordinator are becoming commonplace across various industries, including construction, healthcare, and technology. This trend indicates a broader recognition of the importance of social value in driving sustainable business practices.
At grassroots level, in the human health and social work activities sector, there were approximately 144,000 job vacancies reported as of the third quarter of 2024. While these positions may not be explicitly labeled under social value, many social care roles could be enhanced by understanding their social impact and positive contribution to community engagement. This statistic underscores the vast potential for careers where professionals can make meaningful contributions to society, and play a part in reversing economic inactivity trends.
From legislation, to changes in the meaning of work, there is a new urgency for qualified professionals who can navigate this dynamic landscape, for the benefit of all.
The Emerging Social Value Skills Gap
While the discipline of social value advances, businesses are encountering difficulties in recruiting individuals equipped with the necessary expertise to meet escalating expectations. There is a disparity between contractual commitments now mandated, and availability of the right skills.
The reality is that a new skill set is imperative - one that integrates business strategy, community engagement, and impact assessment. However, formal training pathways into social value roles remain limited. This is where ANTZ and PeoplePlus are leading the way.
Setting the Standard: The Future of Social Value Qualifications
PeoplePlus strategic partner, ANTZ, have developed a range of social value training options, suited to entry-level roles through to board level. There are multiple flexible options - from a 2-hour workshop, to an intensive one day course, to the 3-day, 30 guided learning hours qualification - the ETCAL Level 3 Award in the Social Value Journey - making training accessible to a broad range of established professionals and aspiring social value practitioners.
These pioneering structured programs equip professionals with the competencies required to effect meaningful impact. The qualifications, complemented by flexible training modules ranging from the two-hour session to full-day workshops, offer a clear pathway into social value careers for (to highlight just a few groups):
- Students seeking a purposeful entry into the workforce.
- Individuals facing redundancy, aiming to transition into a burgeoning, impact-driven sector.
- Professionals over 50, aspiring to reinvent their careers in a field that values experience and relationship-building skills.
- Current employees, requiring upskilling to ensure their organisations meet the evolving standards of 2025 and beyond.
Social Value: From Compliance to Impact
The transition from traditional CSR to a robust social value framework signifies a fundamental shift in how organisations approach societal impact. This evolution moves beyond sporadic initiatives, embedding long-term, measurable impact into core business strategies.
As businesses encounter increased pressure to demonstrate authentic outcomes, reliance on good intentions is insufficient. We are seeing a pressing need for trained professionals who can bridge the gap between strategic objectives and practical execution. By establishing the benchmark for social value training, ANTZ and PeoplePlus are empowering businesses to transcend mere compliance, steering towards a future where every investment yields genuine, measurable benefits, and social value jobs provide purposeful, positive pathways for a new kind of professional.
Would you like to know more about the social value training options ANTZ offer? Contact us here.
March 03, 2025Posted by:
