Workforce development in employment support: fresh insights

The ERSA conference in November 2025 gave the ReAct team an opportunity to reflect on the employment adviser role through a workshop format with a group of 25 professionals from across the employment support spectrum. The aim was to reflect on how thinking has advanced, how circumstances have shifted, and how understanding of the topic continues to evolve and deepen. 

Small groups of attendees examined the following questions from the perspective of either advisers or line managers:

Attraction and selection:

• How would you attract candidates who are aligned with the values and realities of this role?
• What skills and competencies would you look for in applicants?

Onboarding and development:

• How would you onboard them and prepare them for the complexity of the role?
• How would you support their development in an evolving landscape?

Retention:

• How would you retain them?

This paper covers the finding from these workshops, and includes insights to inform future recruitment and retention of advisers.