People - Our Commitment | YPO

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Overview

Our Focuses

Useful Links

Other Priorities

In 2024 we launched our People Strategy which sets out our vision to be an employer of choice, defining how YPO values and treats employees to enable our people to be the best version of themselves. The strategy also sets out how we will attract, grow, retain, lead, care and support our people in living the YPO values.

35

of our employees are trained Mental Health First Aiders

87%

of apprentices have secured full-time work at YPO from our apprenticeship programme

36

wellbeing workshops/events delivered in 2024 to our employees

Our Focus

Being an employer of choice

Being an employer of choice

Create an organisational culture and environment attractive to candidates and current employees.

We will aim to –
• Launch improved recruitment portal for external candidates
• Create a report to understand work force profile and talent pipelines
• Support and encourage inclusivity and diversity across the organisation

Achieved so far -
• Created better candidate journey
• Streamlined induction process for both managers and new starters

Being an employer of choice

Holistic staff wellbeing

Holistic staff wellbeing

Build a workplace that prioritises holistic staff wellbeing - encompassing physical, mental, financial and social aspects and cultivates a culture of inclusion and belonging.

We will aim to -
• Establish a whole-organisation approach to mental health by implementing initiatives such as Mental Health First Aiders, deliver awareness courses, and providing specialised training for line managers to effectively support team wellbeing
• Conduct a comprehensive diversity audit to assess current workplace demographics, practices and policies, using the findings to shape and strengthen our wellbeing and inclusion initiatives
• Deliver awareness campaigns and initiatives on wellbeing and inclusion to enhance understanding and promote a healthy and inclusive workplace culture

Achieved so far –
• Signed the Mindful Employer Charter October 2024
• Launched Mental Health training for managers in November 2024
• Provided 124 staff with flu vaccines or voucher (87 received the vaccine on site)
• Over 40 health checks completed by the Public Health Team at Wakefield Council

Holistic staff wellbeing

Building staff development opportunities

Building staff development opportunities

Ensure there is access to development opportunities to enhance skills so employees can thrive.

We will aim to –
• Create strategies to support YPO workforce and aid development
• Review early careers package
• Enhance apprenticeship offer to include external and internal progression opportunities

Achieved so far -
• Successful apprenticeships programme
• Training development opportunities

Building staff development opportunities

Useful links

Fostering Inclusion and Diversity in the Workplace

By understanding the challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community and implementing these positive initiatives, organisations can create a more inclusive and supportive workplace environment.

YPO provided recruitment advice at Wakefield Pride

Wakefield-based YPO, one of the UK’s largest education and public sector buying organisations, hosted a recruitment focused drop-in as part of their sponsorship of Wakefield Pride 2024.

YPO celebrates 50 years with landmark dividend

Marking 50 years since its formation, YPO, one of the UK’s largest public buying sector organisations, is celebrating a golden milestone with a celebration event, a national tour of local authorities and a significant dividend for member councils.

Our other priorities

Social Value home

Procurement

As a public sector buying organisation, we have a responsibility to ensure we have diverse, sustainable, and ethical supply chains free from modern slavery.

The Environment

With a large warehouse and distribution network, we recognise the impact our buildings and operations have on the environment and have been proactively looking at how we reduce this for several years.

Communities

We care about giving back to all the communities we serve, and we consider ourselves to both be a local and a national organisation.

Social Value home

ISO 9001 Certified

We are ISO 9001 accredited, helping ensure we meet customer and regulatory requirements

ISO 14001 Certified

We are ISO 14001 accredited, helping to reduce our environmental impact.

ISO 45001 Certified

We are 45001 accredited, helping to manage our occupational health and safety measures.

FSC®-Certified Products

Look out for the logo next to our FSC®-certified products.

Joining forces with NSPCC

The UK's leading child protection charity, NSPCC, is YPO's charity partner.

Brownlee Foundation

YPO supports free children's sport events with the Brownlee Foundation.

Twinkl Community Collection

We have joined forces with Twinkl to help teachers and learners across the UK!

PEFC-labelled products

The products marked with the PEFC trademarks can be provided as PEFC certified.