Bridge The Gap is an ESFA, ESF and Groundwork – funded training and support program aimed to improve access to employment for marginalised Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Youth aged 16 – 24 in Greenwich, through a person-centred holistic approach, by providing one-to-one and group support around CV writing, employability, job search, interview preparation, work exposure and soft-skills that employers are looking for.

Funded and Supported by:

The Problem

As a lived experience led grassroots organisation, we’re closely in touch with actual problems faced by our community. Labour market discrimination and reduced accessibility for ethnic groups is a persistent and deep rooted issue that needs addressing to improve educational and employment outcomes for ethnic minorities.

The Solution

Programs like Bridge The Gap (BTG) are good initiatives to engage youth that are lower skilled and Not in Employment Education or Training (NEET). Through transferable-skills, BTG will ‘bridge-the-gap’ between those that are furthest away from the labour market, to chart a path moving closer to attaining jobs or further education.

Recent data reveals Greenwich as one of the Local London boroughs worst hit by unemployment, with the slowest recovery forecast. Ages 16-24 are hardest hit, making up a third of unemployed Londoners. Those Lower qualified or lower skilled are more vulnerable to unemployment due to the economic downturn and the worst COVID-19 impact. Ethnic minorities experience higher unemployment and disparity rates compared to their racial counterparts in the same geographies.

Research from our young people showed that they are worried about their economic sustenance, and need help acquiring skills and confidence that employers look for. These same thematic concerns about youth unemployment suggest the need for help with skills that would boost their opportunities to access further training and get work to support their families, having lost the breadwinners during the pandemic. Furthermore, the previously enforced covid-19 lockdowns also accelerated psychological effects creating isolation, loneliness, and mental health challenges.

What To Expect

Young people can access 12 weeks of free support, specifically offering: Employability and soft skills training, Support with accessing employment education and training, Support with interview techniques, CV writing and work readiness, One to One Career Advisor. This training is free and at no cost to participants. Our interview skills and real career advice will help you to get onto the employment ladder!

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

To be eligible young people must be:

Aged between 16-24
Unemployed OR
Economically inactive
Black and Minority Ethnic Origin (BME)
Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) 16-18 Only
Resident in Greenwich London
Eligible to live and Work in the UK

HERE ARE TESTIMONIALS FROM PAST ATTENDEES

Contact Us

You can apply directly through our Application Form below

For more enquiries or to refer young people, volunteer or mentor,

Call us on: 07742 781663

Email Us at: info@stepupyouth.org.uk

Welcome to Bridge The Gap!

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@BridgeTheGapGreenwich

Step up youth exists to promote social inclusion by working with young people in London who face discrimination on the grounds of their ethnic origin, religion or belief in order to relieve their needs and assist with their societal integration by providing platforms and programs to equip them with the right tools to excel. We provide development opportunities to empower them in Employment, Education, Enterprise, as well as Active Citizenship to become better future Leaders.