On November 12th, Belina GRoW’s Liz Sewell FIEP and Mercedes Grant FIEP attended the launch of Earlybird’s publication, Employment Support Services in the AI Era, at the Resolution Foundation’s offices in London. The event brought together employability sector leaders to explore how AI is transforming employability services. Liz joined a panel discussion to share GRoW’s experience of using Earlybird’s AI-powered onboarding system as part of their Lambeth project.
Funded by the London Borough of Lambeth, the project is designed to help women move closer to work, education, or training. Earlybird’s technology plays a key role in streamlining participant onboarding and enabling more personalised support.
As Head of Programme for GRoW Lambeth, Mercedes Grant has been instrumental in integrating Earlybird’s technology into the project. To deepen her understanding and maximise the benefits of AI for participants, Mercedes is also undertaking the IEP Award in AI for Employability.
“This course has been invaluable in helping me reflect on how we can get the best out of Earlybird’s technology for the women we support,” Mercedes explained. “It’s given me new insights into how AI can enhance our processes and improve outcomes, not just for this project but for future ones too.”
Mercedes highlighted how Earlybird’s system has already made a positive impact:
“We’ve worked closely with Earlybird to ensure their tool fits seamlessly into our setup. It’s easy for participants to use and has made our onboarding process much faster. By collecting detailed information upfront, we can focus on delivering the personalised support that makes a real difference.”
Earlybird’s voice-powered tool collects participant data quickly and securely, helping GRoW staff better understand each individual’s circumstances and needs. Claudine Adeyemi-Adams FIEP, founder of Earlybird AI, explained the system’s role:
“Earlybird AI allows GRoW to reduce admin time and focus on what they do best—supporting participants. By capturing richer data at the start, we can help GRoW tailor their support to address the unique challenges each woman faces.”
The publication also features a foreword by IEP Group CEO Scott Parkin FIEP, and the IEP’s James McKenna MIEP highlights the significance of specialised training in equipping professionals to harness AI effectively in employability services. His insights underscore how tools like the IEP Award in AI for Employability are empowering practitioners to integrate innovative technologies into their day-to-day work.
Insights from the Panel Discussion
At the Earlybird event, Liz Sewell joined a panel alongside Claudine Adeyemi-Adams FIEP, Thomas Harley FIEP FRSA (Group CEO of Get Set UK), and Bradley Ebsworth-Willis (Associate Director at Reed in Partnership). Liz shared GRoW’s early experiences with AI and reflected on its potential:
“AI is helping us work smarter and deliver more personalised support, but we know there’s still so much potential to explore. This session was a fantastic opportunity to learn from others in the sector and think about how we can make AI an even bigger part of what we do.”
The panel also discussed how organisations can prepare to integrate AI holistically, with Bradley emphasising the importance of curiosity and data-driven decision-making, while Thomas highlighted the need to align AI solutions with organisational goals.
Empowering Women in Lambeth
At its core, the Lambeth project is about breaking down barriers to work, training, or education for women in the borough. Combining GRoW’s expertise with Earlybird’s innovative tools ensures participants receive the tailored support they need to succeed.
“This collaboration is helping us unlock new ways of working,” Mercedes said. “But what matters most is how it benefits the women we support. Whether it’s through AI or just being there to listen, everything we do is about empowering them to take the next step.”
The project demonstrates how partnerships and innovation can enhance employability services while keeping participants at the centre.
- To read Earlybird’s publication, Employment Support Services in the AI Era, click here.
- To find out more about Belina GRoW’s work, visit belinagrowcic.org.
- For more details on the IEP Award in AI for Employability, click here.
