Responsible business network Business in the Community Northern Ireland and Include Youth have announced the launch of Career Connect, a new collaborative project inviting businesses across Northern Ireland to play a practical role in improving employment opportunities and outcomes for care experienced young people.

The initiative – supported by a grant from the Homewards Fund in Northern Ireland – responds to growing inequality faced by young people leaving care, who experience significantly higher levels of unemployment and barriers affecting long-term prospects. Through a structured five step programme, Career Connect will support 40–50 care experienced young people to build confidence, develop employability skills and make direct connections with employers, and ultimately aiming to secure a job.

Career Connect offers businesses the opportunity to demonstrate social value in action while engaging staff in meaningful volunteering. The programme includes facilitated employability sessions, speed networking events in Belfast, the North West and Fermanagh, an online LinkedIn community, work experience opportunities and training for participating businesses around people who have care experience.

Helen Bowman, Head of Partnerships and Public Affairs at Business in the Community Northern Ireland, said: “Businesses have an enormous role to play in changing life chances. Career Connect is about moving beyond good intentions and giving businesses a clear, practical way to open doors for care experienced young people. In doing so, it also highlights the valuable perspectives, resilience and potential that care experienced young people bring to the workplace, and the meaningful contribution they can make to employers.”

Include Youth, which has more than 45 years’ experience supporting care experienced young people, will work in partnership with Business in the Community to ensure the programme is youth-led, youth centred, supportive and impactful.

Diane Hill, Chief Executive of Include Youth, said: “Care experienced young people consistently tell us that access to employers, role models and real world opportunities makes a life changing difference. Career Connect gives businesses the opportunity to be part of that change – helping young people build confidence, aspirations and practical skills, while challenging the barriers they too often face when entering the labour market.”

Participating businesses can choose how they get involved – from supporting a one-hour employability session, to taking part in speed networking events, hosting work experience placements or contributing to the Career Connect LinkedIn community. All participating organisations receive support, profile throughout the life of the project and access to training to help ensure experiences are trauma informed and meaningful.

There is no financial cost for businesses to participate, and employers are encouraged to register early to secure places to be part of this life-changing collaboration.

Access the Career Connect portal at www.bitcni.org.uk/careerrconnect or contact [email protected].