The lack of representation in the environmental sector in Bristol is well documented. Amongst a number of local initiatives in Bristol is a new organisation with a vision to make Bristol the fairest and most racially equal place to study and work in the UK. Bristol Future Talent Partnership’s Partnership and Engagement Manager, Kirsten Hambly, explores the issue in this blog and shares the opportunity to be involved.

Young people in Bristol face some of the highest levels of inequality and racial discrimination in the country, particularly in education and employment. Bristol Future Talent Partnership is a new organisation working with people aged 14 to 21 from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds, to remove barriers, raise aspirations and provide talent with opportunity through high quality work experience opportunities with our partner organisations.

Bristol Future Talent Partnership was born from the realisation that, although the benefits of work experience are well recognised, due to the entrenched inequalities that exist within the city, the type of work experience that young people can access is determined largely by existing family connections and professions. This project aims to provide new routes to high quality work experience, enabling the development of inter-generational, professional relationships for the mutual benefit of young people in Bristol and the organisations open to diverse perspectives and new talents.

Our programme has been designed through collaboration and feedback from students, businesses and educational establishments, ensuring that it is practical and transformational to students from the outset. Our programme meets the educational requirements placed onto students, as well as fostering skills that they will need to succeed in their future careers.

So far, 18 organisations have signed up to host career insight weeks and Bristol Future Talent will support 223 students this year.

Rob Sexton, Chief Executive of Yeo Valley Ltd, says, “[Hosting a career insight week] was daunting at first, but with the support of Bristol Future Talent Partnership it was really easy for us to make a difference. All of our staff found it hugely rewarding to be involved.”

Bristol Future Talent is now looking for new partner organisations to come on board and help us reach our goal of directly impacting 1,000 students this year. We will provide the support and guidance you need to plan and execute the work experience opportunity, and have the toolkits, forms and resources needed to make the experience as easy as possible for your organisation to host. We will liaise with the schools and colleges, and have expertise in the safeguarding requirements necessary.

There are also many other ways to get involved in the Bristol Future Talent’s work, including hosting a careers insight day, skills sessions or training, and by offering financial support.

You can be sure that by working with Bristol Future Talent Partnership you are developing a pipeline of diverse and talented individuals who may go on to help make your organisation, and the environmental sector more broadly, more diverse and successful as a result.

If you are interested to learn more about the project and how you can get involved please contact kirsten@bristolfuturetalent.co.uk for more information or follow our LinkedIn page.