Consultancy expands ‘grow your own’ model to help firms tackle skills gaps

Discovery - the people consultancy specialising in recruitment, development and workforce capability - has announced a major expansion of its flagship Grow Your Own (GYO) programme to help Midlands organisations tackle skills shortages.

Discovery has delivered its Grow Your Own model for more than 25 years.

The GYO combines recruitment and development under one flat fee, giving organisations a predictable, low risk route to attracting and developing high potential graduates.

Development is delivered through Discovery’s Elevate graduate and early careers programme, ensuring each individual builds capability, confidence and commercial readiness from day one.

Unlike traditional recruitment approaches, Discovery remains embedded with the employer for a full 12 months, supporting graduates, coaching line managers and ensuring capability is built and sustained.

GYO removes the risk of underperformance by providing sustained support throughout the first year.

Discovery says GYO’s retention rates are 94 per cent at year three and 74 per cent at year five – providing a clear return on investment.

Jonathan Evans (pictured), CEO of Discovery, said: “Midlands businesses are not lacking opportunity, they are lacking developed talent.

“Growth in 2026 will be shaped by whether organisations have the right people, ready for the roles their strategy depends on.

“Traditional hiring cannot keep pace with the capability demands we are now seeing. Discovery’s GYO solves that by building talent rather than buying it.”

Discovery is currently working with Chamber members and wider Midlands employers who are struggling to recruit experienced people to rethink roles that can be filled by high potential graduates developed through the Elevate programme.

For more information or to discuss how GYO can support your 2026 workforce strategy, contact:
Sarah Evans, commercial director on 0121 665 4060 or [email protected]