BT Executive launches mentoring scheme to get Bristol students on the career ladder

First jobbers to work with University of West England students to help bridge the gap between employment and the world of work

As a new report into the youth unemployment crisis released today by the Commission on Youth Unemployment highlights the urgent need for young people to be better prepared for work and supported during the transition from education to employment, a scheme to tackle the limited, individual support available to help unemployed graduates find work is to be piloted at the University of West England (UWE).

I passionately believe that businesses can play a role in transforming lives and communities and employment is one of the areas where business can have a direct impact on young people’s lives

With youth unemployment now tipping 1 million and set to cost the exchequer £4.8 billion* this year, the job market has never been more competitive. Yet many graduates upon leaving university find themselves struggling to make the transition from education to employment, and unable to benefit from traditional youth employment schemes which are often not aimed at graduates.

Network – Bridging the Gap will partner recently graduated young professionals with final year undergraduates from the University of West England, enabling them to benefit from invaluable experience, advice and support from young professionals – many of whom will have graduated in the past few years.

The Bristol project has been spearheaded by Sarah Goldsmith, a BT Executive working on secondment as a Business Connector - a Business in the Community initiative which involves major businesses seconding their staff to work long term in the community to understand local need, build relationships and stimulate growth. Sarah has worked closely with the supporting businesses and University of West England careers service to create the pilot.

Launching on Tuesday 7 February, the programme will match 25 University of West England final year students, recruited by the university career service, with mentors from employers including BT, Lloyds TSB, Rolls Royce, Bondpearce and the Civil Service Fast Stream. As well as a dedicated mentor for 6 months participants will benefit from an interactive website and professional coaching from training provider Delta TCC.

The scheme was highly successful when it was launched in Kingston, South London and has attracted interest from other universities keen to roll it out for their students.

Commenting Sarah Goldsmith, Business in the Community’s Bristol Business Connector said: “I decided to become a Business Connector so I can make a real difference in Bristol so I’m delighted to be launching Network Bridging the Gap with the University of West England. I passionately believe that businesses can play a role in transforming lives and communities and employment is one of the areas where business can have a direct impact on young people’s lives. Bristol has one of the highest rates of students remaining in the city after graduating – so there is a huge need here for better support for graduates. The reaction from business has been really encouraging – they have jumped at the chance to get involved and put forward mentors. We’re excited to see how this will develop and look forward to helping more young people get nearer to achieving their career goals.

Network Bridging the Gap will launch at the University of West England on Tuesday 7 February from 3-7pm in an event which will bring the mentors and mentees together for the first time.

-Ends-

* The ACEVO Commission on Youth Unemployment. Youth unemployment: the crisis we cannot afford, February 2012

Notes to Editors

To attend the Network Bridging the Gap launch event or for more information please contact
Ochuko Adekoya 020 7566 8758/07921 941536 ochuko.adekoya@bitc.org.uk

The following spokespeople are available to speak to media:
Sarah Goldsmith – Business in the Community Business Connector (seconded from BT)
Mentors and Mentees will also be available
About Business in the Community
Business in the Community is a business-led charity with a growing membership of over 850 companies. We work locally and nationally through 11 regional teams and internationally with 115 global partners. With a further 10,700 engaged in our campaigns and an employee reach of 16.8 million - we are one of the largest and most influential leadership networks focused on driving responsible business practice. We offer our members a range of practical information, tools, training and resources to help them transform their businesses and integrate responsible practices into their operations.  And we ask our members to work in partnership with us to help transform communities and tackle serious social issues where business can make a real difference. 

Business in the Community is one of the Prince’s Charities, a group of not-for-profit organisations of which The Prince of Wales is President. www.bitc.org.uk

About Business Connectors
Business Connectors is a business-led programme borne out of a desire by businesses to do more to connect with and provide a business response to community need across the UK.  It was developed following a consultation in December 2010 with the UK’s senior business leaders on the role of business in the context of the Government’s aspirations for a  ‘Big Society’ and HRH the Prince of Wales’ call for Businesses to step up and increase activity in areas of greatest social need.  BITC Members responded that to enable significant scale up of activity,  brokerage by an individual from business focused on the locality, working with local community organisations and local businesses was a model which was proven and should be replicated to maximise business impact. The Prime Minister then called on BITC and Business to enable 1,000 of these roles in the coming years.

Business Connectors are full time secondments from business, who will work to address local community need by connecting the resource of local businesses to the needs of a local community: small businesses, the voluntary sector and other community groups. The pilot, which has been funded by a grant from the Office of Civil Society involves 10 companies, who are seconding between them 20 Business Connectors who will be trained by Business in the Community and then matched to work within an area of need for an initial 6 months but with a company commitment of involvement in the programme and particular areas for up to three years.