Peer Learning Forum: Powering Business Support for NEET Youth

This is an online event.

Audience

Business in the Community (BITC) members who have advisory in their membership package. Our Peer Learning Forums (PLF) are now open to all members who have advisory in their membership package – hosted by our issue experts, there are 20 forums a year, covering a range of responsible business areas and enabling our members to discuss challenges, solutions and ideas.

Background

Business in the Community (BITC) in partnership with Young Futures Foundation (YFF) is working to understand business experience on barriers and enablers that young NEET (Not in Employment, Education, or Training) people from ethnically diverse backgrounds face, both in accessing and thriving in the workforce. We are presenting an opportunity for organisations to come together for a Peer Learning Forum to explore the nuance for this underserved group. This Peer Learning Forum can enable organisations to collaborate and develop strategies that address both entry barriers and the ongoing challenges young NEET people face in the workplace.

About the event

Barriers to entry: One of the primary barriers for ethnically diverse young NEET people is the systemic inequality in recruitment processes. BITC’s research has long-highlighted significant disparities, such as a lower success rate for Black, Asian, and other minority ethnic candidates when applying for roles. This leads to candidates feeling less respected or not receive feedback, which impacts their perception of fairness and limits their opportunities. Addressing these challenges requires systemic changes in recruitment practices to ensure transparency and fairness. We want to use this forum to explore businesses understanding of these challenges and enable change in organisations that is meaningful.

Barriers to thriving: Once inside the workforce, diverse employees often face challenges related to progression and retention. BITC’s Race at Work Charter calls on businesses to improve career progression for Black, Asian, and ethnically diverse employees. For instance, 69% of ethnically diverse employees highlight the importance of career progression, yet only 10% feel that they have the opportunities to progress within their organisations. This underlines the need for mentorship programs, tailored development opportunities, and policies that combat workplace discrimination. We want to use this forum to explore businesses internal cultures to see where we might be able to support organisations to make the biggest changes that will impact the most people.

Thinking of enablers: We want to use this forum to explore and build on the research that BITC and YFF have published, putting business need and talent need together to understand how to turn barriers into enablers.

Booking and contact details and further information

• Contact Jessica Hart, Event Coordinator, BITC for any further questions.
• Full joining instructions will be sent before the event.

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