Dear Supporters, Employers and Friends

Just a few weeks ago we could not have imagined writing this letter to you.

Prior to the government’s announcement about the creation of a new COVID-19 job retention scheme on Friday, employers of three of our top performing young people had already reacted by making their posts redundant.   Just as the virus does not select who it infects, our apprentices have no control over decisions made by their employers in circumstances like this.  We hope the government’s intervention will stop the escalation of redundancies however we know it may not help the 66 young people we are in the process of placing at this time.

Our support for young people is more important than ever:

• We are supporting young people in work, especially as they manage home-working for the first time, often caring for elderly relatives and younger siblings at the same time.  This includes young people from our 2018 and 2019 Intakes as well alumni.
• We are supporting employers and ensuring our apprentices are effective, productive, and valued.  We are also working with employers on virtual recruitment and assessment processes and building a pipeline of early careers talent who are ready to go when offices reopen.
• We are taking even more of a central role in terms of mentoring and supporting our young people and their families.

A significant number of young people who have completed our 4-month preparation for work bootcamp are now unlikely to be placed in roles for many months to come, through no fault of their own. Many of these young people have lost the part-time jobs they had during the bootcamp and are now unlikely to be placed in full time career roles.  Their financial contribution to their families is often a necessary lifeline, so this is going to be an even more challenging time than usual.

Our support includes daily contact with young people in order to mentor and advise them on a range of problems.  For example, two young people living independently have already found themselves in difficulty regarding council tax, which we have been able to resolve. We are also providing much needed financial support when there is nowhere else to turn.

We are conscious that everyone has their own personal challenges, but if you could help in any way – with a donation, an introduction to funding, fundraising activities, virtual volunteering and introductions to employers – we, and our young people, would be immensely grateful.

Keep safe and well.

Caroline Adair
CEO