Charity Overview
Leadership Through Sport and Business (LTSB) is a life-changing, social mobility charity. They provide young people from disadvantaged backgrounds with personal and professional development to prepare them for the world of work, and place them in apprenticeships with leading employers across the UK.
Project Summary
A donation from ICAP Charity Day 2018 funded LTSB’s London-based I CAN project supporting disadvantaged young people into employment, education and training. The young people were facing economic, social and personal disadvantage, including poverty, carer responsibilities, and mental health issues. This had affected their ability to independently find employment or progress into further education.
Thanks to ICAP, LTSB provided the support the young people needed, through an intensive four-month bootcamp, for 10 young people, designed to improve their confidence and employability skills. The young people enjoyed working as a team to complete a Sports Leadership Award, building their confidence and securing them a level 1 qualification. Following this, the young people took part in a refereeing course, using their experience to coach local children. As role models for younger children within their communities they gained confidence and skills in leadership, project management, problem solving, and facilitation. This experience also helped to bolster their CVs, demonstrating interests, experience and transferable skills outside of an academic or professional setting.
To me, volunteering means that I can give back to the community and boost my confidence and self-esteem. Volunteering also means that I can learn new skills.Lauren, LTSB Beneficiary
To prepare the participants for a corporate environment, LTSB ran employability skills workshops in professional offices.
Being part of social action projects develops your character, giving you the necessary skills to take into the world of work.Abdi, LTSB Beneficiary
ICAP Charity Day’s support has been life-changing for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Thanks to your support, we have been able to build the confidence and skills of ten young people and supported them to gain much-needed qualifications and work experience. Young people who were previously struggling to find stable employment are now earning £18,000+ in jobs with professional development opportunities and career progression. TP ICAP went above and beyond in your partnership with us - with staff mentoring our young people and providing valuable support as they embarked on their careers. Your donation and the commitment from the mentors allowed us to provide the young people with the intensive support they needed to succeed in their jobs, enabling them to change their lives for the better forever. Thank you.Paul Evans, LTSB CEO
During the bootcamp, the young people were supported to achieve a Level 2 Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) Accountancy Qualification – a great foundation on which to access a long-term career or further education. The pass rates for the AAT exams were particularly good, averaging at 86%. Nine of the young people completed the bootcamp and LTSB supported the tenth to secure a place at the University College London to study mechanical engineering – a huge feat for him. All 10 improved their confidence, their employability skills, and their ability to secure employment and educational opportunities.
On completion of the bootcamp the young people were supported through interviews for paid level 3 AAT Accountancy apprenticeships with top firms in London. The were paired young people with a professional mentor who could support them during their first year of work. During the apprenticeship, LTSB provided professional development activities to help the young people integrate into the workplace. This included a Women in Leadership conference to inspire the young women on our programme; a Mock Trial at the Crown Courts to build public speaking, debate, and negotiation skills; and networking events to increase the young people’s professional contacts.
Highlights:
• 100% of the young people achieved the Level 1 Sports Leaders Award
• 100% of the young people volunteered for a community outreach programme
• 100% of the young people surveyed feel the skills they have learnt as part of the AAT Level 2 qualification make them more ready for the workplace
• 100% of the young people surveyed feel more employable
• 80% of the young people are now in further education, training and employment
• The average placement salary was £18,700 per annum – 49% more than the apprenticeship wage for 18-20 year olds
Youth employment has been hugely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic with unemployment for young people rising by 13% in the last year. The number of people claiming unemployment related benefits has risen by 281,000 from March to November 2020, an increase of 119%. LTSB’s ongoing commitment to support young people means they are there for them, even after they have secured their placements. They provide pastoral care and practical support when needed – supporting their young people with emotional upheaval, providing care packages if needed, and helping our young people find new roles when affected by redundancy.
See the LTSB ICAP Case Studies here:
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