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Action for Race Equality

Action for Race Equality

Empowering Young People who are Black, Asian and of Mixed Heritage

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The Graduate Connector Programme

Connecting talented graduates with the opportunities they deserve

ARE’s one year-pilot programme for ethnic minority graduates in London, supported by the Columbia Threadneedle Foundation.

take part

What we’re doing

The Graduate Connector Programme is a pilot programme for London-based graduates from Black, Asian (specifically Bangladeshi and Pakistani) and Mixed heritage graduates.*

This exciting programme aims to engage up to 200 London-based graduates aged 21-30, supporting 100 of these graduates into employment. Talented graduates will be connected with the employer opportunities to help them improve their employability skills and career prospects and land their first graduate-level job.  

With opportunities from dedicated employers, the pilot will also help fill talent gaps and existing vacancies within companies, supporting employers to diversify their workforce and talent pools. 

read the news story

*ARE is working with this group as data from Higher Education Statistics Agency shows that Black, Asian and Mixed Heritage graduates are more likely to be unemployed than white graduates.

Group of african and south american students in discussion at classroom of university

How it works

ARE is working in partnership with a number of employers who have opportunities to offer to our graduates, and want to recruit more diversely to become more inclusive employers. Through our exciting platform partners, Slenky, we’re connecting them with talented graduates looking to take the next step in their careers.

Information for Graduates & Universities

Graduate participants must be British Citizens, resident in London (former international students are not eligible). The programme will support you to progress into suitable graduate roles. You’ll receive:

  • Culturally competent support to equip you with the confidence and communication skills to compete and secure graduate level opportunities.
  • In person/online pre-application graduate preparation workshops informed and/or led by corporate recruiters
  • Mentoring/coaching sessions to encourage and inspire you to do all you can to be confident and competitive in the jobs market
  • Access to opportunities shared by ARE’s Employer Champions Positive Action Group such as jobs,  internships, work experience and pre-application, in-person site visits.

If you’re a careers advisor or careers service, and would like to know more about partnering and working with us, please contact us:

Send an inquiry

Information for Employers

Employers are at the heart of the programme.

Through collaboration with Slenky, we’ll be sharing your opportunities – whether these be vacancies, internships, insight days, CV/interview workshops or site visits – to an online platform to reach talented graduates.

By taking part in ARE’s pilot, you’ll receive:

  • Good practice inclusive recruitment and retention examples
  • Culturally competent HR and EDI support
  • Opportunities to join our Employer Positive Action Network
  • Coverage on social media and support from ARE where your opportunities benefit Black, Asian and Mixed heritage young people

We expect participating employers to take a pro-active approach to supporting graduates on the programme, and welcome regular communication on live opportunities.

Contact Freya Johnson, Employment Programme Delivery Lead, for more details on becoming a partner employer.

Register now
dISCOVER LIVE OPPORTUNITIES

It really helps when someone from a similar background can understand the leg up or the support that you may need to fully understand a sector. They will also know what your true potential can be/is and won’t assume certain sectors are better for you than others based on stereotyping.

ARE Graduate Survey, 2023

Who’s involved at ARE?

  • Employment Programmes Delivery Lead – Freya Johnson
  • Deputy Chief Executive – Indra Nauth
  • ARE’s Employer Positive Action Network

Working with Slenky

ARE believes a new approach is needed by employers to tap into the untapped talent of ethnically diverse communities. That’s why we’re proud to be working with Slenky.

Slenky searches for the best ‘shots’ available for young talent, and hosts them on an accessible platform – making it quick and easy for employers to find young jobseekers, and attract new, diverse audiences.

All opportunities advertised on Slenky will be employer-led.

diversity in recruitment

All young people deserve the chance to reach their true potential and find meaningful work across their career ambitions

But the data tells us that Black, Asian and Mixed heritage graduates find themselves un or under-employed in jobs, and with salaries, that don’t match their qualification levels.

This is a missed opportunity for both young people and employers alike. Research tells that diverse workforces drive better company performance, and inclusion leads to better decision making up to 87% of the time.

(Source: Cloverpop, Hacking Diversity with Inclusive Decision Making)

ARE’S employment WORK
Employers positive action network

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... a very thought provoking Diversity and Unconscious bias training session for all of our line managers. The trainers were excellent at providing …

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