London Youth Finalist for ERSA Award!
30 June 2017
London Youth joined other employment support providers and Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work, Penny Mordaunt, to attend the Employment Related Service Association’s (ERSA) Employability Awards 2017.
Talent Match London, London Youth’s flagship employability programme, was shortlisted for the Youth Employment Award. The Youth Employment Award recognises providers who have demonstrated exceptional commitment in delivering employment services for young adults.
Matt Dronfield, London Youth’s Senior Employability Manager said:
“We are super proud to be shortlisted for the Youth Employment award. It’s a testament to the impact a youth-led approach to employability can have. Young people have been at the heart of Talent Match London, shaping the design, delivery and evaluation of the programme. We are grateful to our funders the Big Lottery Fund and our delivery partners for allowing us to bring a fresh approach to the youth employability sector.
“Although we have achieved so much together, we know that there is still so much work to do. This is why we will be launching the Talent Match Mark in July, recognising employers who are providing a fresh approach to youth employment support and challenging others to become more youth friendly. Youth employment needs a collective approach and we are delighted to be part of that.”
Since 2014 Talent Match London has supported over 2,000 young people, many of whom were not accessing any other employment support, to develop greater employability skills and take charge of their career. The shortlisting recognises the work the programme has done to support 16-24 year olds who aren’t in employment, education, or training to find a supportive place of work and their professional purpose.
Talent Match London is focused on the long term outcomes, equipping young people with tools for life. The programme’s youth-led approach has allowed it to work with the hardest to reach individuals with multiple barriers to employment, from young parents to those living with a disability.
The ERSA awards now in their fifth year celebrate and champion best practice from across the support sector. This year the awards were judged by a member of the Work and Pensions Committee in the last Parliament, Heidi Allen MP; Nick Butler, Head of Work programme Performance at the Department for Work and Pensions; Laura Gardiner, Senior Research and Policy Analyst, the Resolution Foundation; and last year’s winner of the Adviser of the Year Award, Keith Tottingham.
Kirsty McHugh, Chief Executive, ERSA, said:
“This year’s award submissions demonstrate the extraordinary achievements of individuals and organisations across the sector and our judges had an unenviable task shortlisting the best of the best in each category. Common to every nomination is the passion and commitment they show to supporting employability and transforming lives, communities and businesses. These awards celebrate and champion the best of the work that goes on at the frontline every day in the sector.”
