A series of new mentoring sessions aimed to support young Southampton BAME people with employment opportunities start this week, Thursday 13 May.
Research shows that Covid-19 has affected those aged 16-24 in the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities the hardest. The new Mentoring Circle Sessions have been set up to tackle this. They have been organised by Abri, one of the south of England’s largest housing providers, and supported by Balfour Beatty and Southampton Job Centre.
Running every Thursday, 11am-12.30pm for three weeks, the online sessions will give young people an opportunity to share their struggles, find ways to overcome obstacles, and potentially secure a job in construction.
Gift Ngubane, Employment Support Advisor, at Abri, said: “We’re dedicated to creating thriving communities and empowering lives with our £15m five-year investment, making sure we’re driving change where it’s needed most. Covid-19 has had a huge impact on young people starting out in their careers and finding work, even more so for those in the BAME community. It’s great to have colleagues from Balfour Beatty be part of this programme, sharing their career journeys, offering advice, and helping our local community.”
Andy Sherman, Employer and Partnership Manager, at Southampton Jobcentre Plus, said: “Young people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities are under-represented in employment in Southampton. The Mentoring Circle is an excellent opportunity for young people to be mentored by senior representatives of Balfour Beatty who have a wealth of knowledge and practical experience to share in overcoming personal or cultural barriers and improve the employment outcomes of the young people involved.”
Balfour Beatty’s Bukola Olaniyan, a Senior Design Engineer, and Carys Reed, a Highway Regulations Officer, will be taking part as mentors in the programme.
Bukola said: “As an Engineer from a BAME background, working with Balfour Beatty has offered me the opportunity to grow my career and to support youngsters through STEM and various mentoring forums. I look forward to sharing my journey and experience with the young BAME group and hope it inspires them to reach their full potential.”
Carys added: “As a young person, not long out of education myself, I know the struggles of finding your path after studying. This mentoring programme will be great fun and provide a useful set of skills to young people in the BAME community, helping to develop their career growth. I am looking forward to working with the young people and championing diversity and inclusion within the industry”.
If you would like to sign up to the sessions, please email Gift or call 07967 792349.
