The organisers of a project to help young people from under-represented backgrounds into business careers say their work is more vital than ever as the country faces up to the impact of the pandemic.
Social mobility charity Leadership Through Sport and Business (LTSB) aims to help young people who might not otherwise consider professional careers to find opportunities in fields including law and accountancy.
In London its training ranges from working with the Chelsea FC Foundation to offering professional qualifications with West London College, helping people into roles in organisations including NatWest, MAPP and BDO Drive.
LTSB CEO Paul Evans said the charity's work is now more critical than ever as the 海角视频 opens up again after the coronavirus pandemic.
He said: "We’re seeing the consequence of coronavirus disproportionately impacting the young.
"We face an unequal, delayed recovery, with the most vulnerable at risk of ‘economic long-covid’. Youth unemployment figures in particular indicate the nature of the slow crisis which will follow, unless we make critical interventions to safeguard the future workforce.”
He added: “The business case for diversity of experience has been made, with Ehsan just one of hundreds of our young people who have repaid an employer’s faith in them with hard work and ability.
"But as society responds to the pandemic, we need to make it easy for companies to invest in the communities hardest hit, and make sure young people who need additional support find it. Charities like LTSB can do both.”
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It has just honoured its most successful apprentices of the past year - with aspiring accountant Ehsan Fida, 21, from Northolt, being named Apprentice of the Year in the capital.
Ehsan started his career with chartered accountancy firm HW Fisher, and is now working at Big 4 firm EY.
Mr Evans said: “Graduation for this intake was a little delayed for obvious reasons, but we’re delighted to celebrate their achievement.
"It’s important to recognise the efforts of young people breaking into professional careers, and making the case for major firms to think more broadly about their recruitment strategies.
“Ehsan is a great example of the sort of commitment and talent that can be found if employers work with third sector organisations like LTSB.”
Ehsan said: “Receiving this award is a great success. I challenged myself to win it right from the start! But I also realised I had to change too.
"I’ve grown mentally. I wasn’t really that serious at the beginning, but now I’ve made a plan of where I want to be and how to get there: I’ve got a spring in my step."
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He added: "This is the biggest, most life-changing thing I’ve ever done."
LTSB is delivering a major programme with NatWest Group, finding candidates for a range of roles in digital and customer service.