Empowering BAME Young People: The Into Employment Project

The job market is tough for everyone, but for young people from BAME communities, the challenges are even greater. Employment bias and a lack of representation, skills, and understanding of institutional systems make it difficult for these young people to succeed in the workforce. However, one initiative is working to change that: the Into Employment project.

The project aims to train 40 young people (aged 19-25) from BAME communities in London over a period of 12 months. Each cohort of 20 young people receives 3 months of employment training. The training covers a wide range of topics, including skills development, re-skilling, and job readiness. Once the training is completed, each participant is supported to engage with an employer and build new networks.

The project is ambitious, but the need is great. Many young people have lost jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the challenges faced by BAME communities go beyond the pandemic. Employment bias and a lack of representation, skills, and understanding of institutional systems make it difficult for these young people to succeed in the workforce.

Despite the challenges, the Into Employment project is making a real difference in the lives of young people from BAME communities in London. The first cohort of 20 young people has completed their training and gained valuable skills and knowledge in areas such as confidence building, presentation skills, problem-solving, CV preparation, interview techniques, and job application support. They have also been introduced to exclusive opportunities and training, as well as building networks with employers. A number of participants have already secured employment and are being supported to sustain it for the first 6 months. The project also provides re-skilling opportunities to the participants, giving them access to exclusive training and networks of employers.

The Into Employment project is a beacon of hope for young people from BAME communities in London. It is empowering them with the skills, networks, and support they need to succeed in the workforce and reach their full potential. The project is not over yet, and we will keep you updated on the progress as it continues.