INSPIRE & CHALLENGE LECTURE supported by SOAS University of London Young BAME people spend longer in education but their employment rewards are lower How should schools, colleges and universities equip young BAME people to succeed in the local and global workforce? Jeremy Crook, Chief Executive of BTEG

BTEG wants to see all young people reach their full potential and secure employment with good progression opportunities

WHAT DO WE KNOW? Young BAME people spend longer in education compared to white young people Some young BAME people have much higher unemployment rates compared to white young people Young BAME people are underrepresented in sectors such as construction, IT and engineering Limited social mobility in the UK In 2016 black students made up 3% of students in Russell Group universities and 15% of students in the Million+ group (includes London South Bank, UEL and London Met)

Cont’d Some young BAME people believe their main barriers to employment are negative stereotypes (impacts and young black men and young Muslim people) Only 10% of apprentices in England are from BAME backgrounds but 25% of applications are from BAME people Some private sector employers are committed to workforce diversity but don’t always consider ethnicity as part of diversity Black graduates are around twice as likely as white graduates to be unemployed (8% compared with 4%) Fewer BAME graduates are in full time professional jobs than white graduates (45% compared with 51%) BME employment rate is 62.7% compared to white employment rate 75.4%

The unemployment rate for young black men who are actively seeking work is 31% compared with 14% for young white men The unemployment rate for YBM in London with a degree (or equivalent qualification) is 27% compared with 8% for young white men with this level of qualification

GOVERNMENT HAS SET A TARGET TO: INCREASE BAME EMPLOYMENT RATE BY 20% BY 2020 Includes: BAME students going to university and apprenticeships

Destination of leavers from HE (UK domiciled) Source: Equality Challenge Unit (2016) Equality in Higher Education: Statistical Report 2016 White BAME Black Asian Professional full time work 50.6 45.1 42.6 46.2 Unemployed 4.3 7.8 8.2 8.0 Full time or part time study 11.8 14.4 14.0

YOUNG BAME PEOPLE SHOULD LEAVE THE EDUCATION SYSTEM WITH: CV and application writing skills Ability to ‘market’ themselves on line Personal resilience , self-belief and life skills Simple project management experience Leadership and team work knowledge and experience An understanding of the value of work placements, internships and volunteering An awareness that recruitment is not simply about qualifications (soft skills: Microsoft office; positive attitude, telephone manner & communication) Experience of making short presentations and public speaking Practical links to employers in sectors they want to enter (more than one or two weeks of work experience) Have an entrepreneurial mindset (see opportunities to add value) Understanding of barriers in the labour market (conscious and unconscious bias) Ready4Success!

WHAT SHOULD YOUNG BAME PEOPLE DO? 1. Be role models and inspire their own generation 2. Be visible examples of success 3. Be entrepreneurial 4. Get project management experience at school, college/apprenticeship and university 5. Be resilient and able to manage application and job interview rejections 6. Be prepared to take risks with new ideas 7. Make informed choices about university and apprenticeship selection

Jeremy@bteg.co.uk www.bteg.co.uk THANK YOU Jeremy@bteg.co.uk www.bteg.co.uk