Deloitte Digital has launched a learning programme with the Stepladder Foundation which gives young people from disadvantaged Black, Asian, and ethnic minority backgrounds more support in their careers
The partnership aims to give young people identified as disadvantaged a step up into technological and creative industries with Deloitte Digital providing the charity with equipment such as laptops and software, as well as study materials to students enrolling onto Stepladder courses.
Deloitte Digital volunteers will also be working with Stepladder students offering workshops and careers advice, as well as softer skills and sessions designed to harness their strengths that will help them get into these industries.
The Stepladder foundation has selected 40 pupils from multiple East London schools, currently in year 10, aged 14 to 15, to take part in the first partnership programme with Deloitte.
Olivier Binse, a design partner at Deloitte Digital, said: ‘There is no creativity without difference. This is the truth of business today and my team and I are excited to have the opportunity to work with Stepladder, growing the charity for the long-term and mentoring these young people for future success.
‘Writing a CV, pitching for jobs, and interacting with clients are skills that our teams have grown to be very comfortable with, and everyone is keen to share their knowledge to boost diversity across the industry and shape its future leaders. Hopefully, it will be a confidence lift to help these young people kickstart a passion for creativity and maybe even a career in technology and digital.’
The partnership was inspired by Deloitte black action plan that was launched last year in response to the Black Live Matter movement, the firm stated that as part of the plan it has committed to supporting 10,000 black interns in their 2022 summer initiative. It has also stated that it will make its ethnicity pay gap reporting more transparent.
In October 2021 to celebrate Black History Month, Deloitte also announced that 44 students started their first year of study at six universities across England, having been awarded a bursary by Deloitte.
Together with the firm’s charity partner Blueprint for All the bursary scheme was designed for students of Black, Asian, and minority ethnic heritage and from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Alison Jones, CEO, The Stepladder Foundation, said: ‘When we recruit these wonderful young people, we know we’re working with the leaders of tomorrow.
‘We work with professional organisations like Deloitte Digital to offer real life career advice and opportunities, opening up a world of life experiences and career skills to extraordinarily talented young people who would otherwise miss out. It’s unthinkable that such exciting talent could be denied the chance to grow and thrive.’
The Big Four firm will also be working with Stepladder to develop its online presence and branding, to further grow the charity's digital platforms.
Sourced from Accountancy Daily
Written by Ruby Flanagan