CIPD HR People Pod – Ep 35: Slow wage growth | Lifelong learning | ‘Green skills’
Oct 22, 2025
Join Jane-Emma Peerless, Chief People Officer at Caxton; Rob Rees, Head of People and Culture at Dowds Group; and Matt Elliott, Chief People Officer at the Bank of Ireland, as they tackle pressing HR issues. They discuss the implications of slow wage growth and innovative ways to keep employees engaged beyond pay. The conversation shifts to preparing for longer careers, emphasizing skills development for older workers. Plus, they highlight the importance of investing in green skills as a vital business opportunity to meet climate challenges.
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Wage Slowdown Might Be A Reversion
- Average wage growth slowing may simply be a return to pre-pandemic norms rather than a structural collapse.
- The more worrying sign is rising unemployment for 18–24 year olds, which signals labour-market mismatch and hiring constraints.
Design A Compelling Employee Experience
- Do communicate a compelling employee value proposition that highlights meaningful work, strong managers and clear career paths.
- Do design an employee experience from day one to hook and retain talent beyond pay.
Use Wellbeing And Learning To Build Connection
- Do invest in wellbeing and informal engagement channels to build connection at scale, such as private social groups.
- Do prioritise continuous learning as a retention and resilience tool for employees across careers.
