Addressing Inequality in Bristol: The Impact of Bristol Future Talent Partnership

In this insightful interview, we had the privilege of speaking with Kirsten Hambly, Partnership and Engagement Manager at the Bristol Future Talent Partnership, to delve into the mission and far-reaching impact of this collaborative effort. Discover how Bristol Future Talent Partnership actively removes barriers and nurtures the aspirations of young individuals from black and minority ethnic backgrounds. Explore the range of high-quality work experience opportunities offered by the organisation and the profound positive outcomes they have achieved. Join us as we explore success stories, ways for businesses to get involved, and ongoing initiatives that are shaping the future for Bristol's youth.

Sam Harrison: Can you please provide an overview of Bristol Future Talent Partnership and its mission?

Kirsten Hambly: Bristol Future Talent Partnership is a collaboration of leading local organisations who all share the vision of making Bristol the fairest and most racially equal place to study and work. We work with young people between the ages of 14 and 21 to raise aspirations, remove barriers and provide talent with opportunity. 

SH: What specific challenges do young people from black and minority ethnic backgrounds in Bristol face in terms of inequality and racial discrimination in education and employment? 

KH: Black and ethnic minorities in Bristol experience the 7th worst level of inequalities in education, employment, health and housing across the country, and are in the bottom quartile of employment inequality. They also experience the 3rd highest level of educational inequality. 

However, Black and ethnic minorities make up 16% of the population of Bristol – and are therefore a huge source of untapped potential for businesses looking to diversify their workforce and access a pool of talented, driven young people. 

SH: How does Bristol Future Talent Partnership work towards removing barriers and raising aspirations for young people? Could you provide some examples of the programs or initiatives you offer?

KH: 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 largely determined by existing family connections and professions. We aim 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 talent.

3.png

SH: In what ways does the Partnership provide high-quality work experience opportunities for young people? 

KH: Bristol Future Talent Partnership works with our partner organisations to deliver high quality work experience and mentoring opportunities for young people from Black and ethnic minority backgrounds in Bristol. 

Our Careers Insight programmes are normally a week long, and are designed to open students eyes to the variety of potential career opportunities available to them. During the week, students will have the chance to network with key individuals across the business, learn about apprenticeship, graduate or direct entry routes, develop key skills including CV writing and interview techniques, and present a group project to senior members of staff at the end of the week.  

Any student who completes one of the Partnership’s work experience programmes is given the opportunity to take part in a 5 month group mentoring programme. The students meet once a month over this period, with each session focused on a key theme (for example office etiquette or financial resilience.) The students are also given the option to have individual mentoring if they would like. 

SH: Could you share some success stories or positive outcomes that have resulted from the Partnership's work with young people and partner organizations?

KH: Bristol Future Talent Partnership was officially incorporated as a CIC in September 2022, but has been working on delivering its mission for a couple of years. Last year we had 100 students come through one of our Careers Insight programmes, however this year we have set the ambitious goal of reaching 1000 students between March 2022 and 2023. 

The feedback that we have received from our work has been overwhelmingly positive – both for the students who have taken part in the programme and the staff that have helped to run these experiences within our partner organisations. For example 100% of students who took part in Hargreaves Lansdown’s Careers Insight Week are now considering Hargreaves’s Lansdown as a future employer. Here's some quotes from businesses and students who have taken part:

‘It 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.’ 

Rob Sexton, CEO Yeo Valley, after successfully running their first Careers Insight Week with Bristol Future Talent Partnership 

‘Amazing, amazing, amazing – this was my first time working at a legal office and the idea beforehand seemed scary. But working with all the incredible staff and seeing the things that Burges Salmon does has made me feel like I do have a chance to work here.’ 

Student at Burges Salmon’s Careers Insight Week 

SH: How can businesses and organisations in the South West support the work of Bristol Future Talent Partnership? Are there specific ways they can get involved or collaborate?

KH: In order to reach our goal of directly impacting 1000 students this year, we need the support of more Bristol based organisations to host high quality work experience and mentoring opportunities for young people. 

We will work closely with you to ensure that the work experience opportunity meets the demands of your organisation – for example, you could host 30 students for a day or take 12 for a week. We ensure that your organisation can have maximum impact on the students who take part whilst still meeting the daily demands that work brings. 

2.png

SH: What benefits can businesses expect from supporting Bristol Future Talent Partnership and providing work experience opportunities for young people from diverse backgrounds?

KH: Bristol Future Talent Partnership provides all the support and guidance that you need to plan and execute your work experience opportunity. We have a Toolkit with all the do’s and do not’s of hosting work experience, expertise in the safeguarding requirements necessary to host these weeks, and a variety of other forms and resources to make the experience as easy as possible. We also liaise with the schools and colleges to ensure that the students are signed up and turn up for the work experience. 

But the biggest benefit that a business can receive from working with the Partnership to deliver a work experience opportunity is access to a talented, diverse pool of young individuals who may go on to be your workforce of the future. 

SH: Are there any criteria or requirements for businesses that want to partner with Bristol Future Talent Partnership? 

We are looking for any Bristol based organisation that is keen to join and work with other likeminded organisations who share the vision of making Bristol a fairer and more racially equal place to study and work  - there is no other criteria for who can join! 

SH: Are there any ongoing initiatives or future plans that the Partnership is working on?

KH: We are always looking for ways to diversify our offering and engage with young people in new ways – we have started to host Careers Insight Days and online seminars and circulate bi-monthly newsletters to students that have come through one of our programmes. We are also hoping to host a Bristol Future Talent Partnership Careers Fair in the near future. 

We are always looking for new ideas of how to engage with young people – please get in touch!