Initiative to increase the employment rates of young black

men in London  Moving on Up 

Jeremy Crook OBE, BTEG.27 March 2015

Why young black men (18-24)?• The unemployment rate for young black men (44 

per cent) in the UK is more than double the rate for young white men. 

• The gap has grown since 2009.• Over one third of the unemployed YBM in London 

are resident in just five London boroughs (Lambeth, Lewisham, Croydon, Southwark and Hackney)

• Spending longer in education is not leading to any reductions in their higher unemployment rates.

• Black graduates are more likely to be unemployed (15 per cent compared to 6 per cent for white graduates)

Portrayal of Young Black Men

• Evidence that the portrayal of young black men in the media is largely negative.

• Close to 7 in 10 stories of young black men and boys related to some form to crime (University of Cardiff, Cushion et al, 2011, p4)

BTEG ACTION PLAN

185 young black males  participated in the study

21 suggested actions

The barriers for young black men

• Employers have negative views of young black men

• Young black men are trying to do the right thing

• Poor experiences with support services

• Lack of networks and role models

Young black men want to be judged on merit not stereotypes

‘Because black males are not shown in the best way in the public eye - people stereotype them in gangs and this affects black males chances of getting a job.’ (Young black male survey respondent)

‘As soon as you get in the interview room you can see from their faces that you are not going to get the job’ (Young black male, discussion group participant, Lambeth)

‘Society needs to change. People need to stop thinking that all black men are gang members (Young black male, discussion group participant, Haringey)

• Young black men in London believe that racism and negative stereotyping are the main reasons for their high unemployment rate. 

• They also believe that black male business role models in their communities are important and access to social and professional networks would improve their employment opportunities.

It’s time to tackle this problem

• Trust for London and City Bridge Trust want their resources to be a catalyst for enabling more young black men into employment.

• Moving on Up is a £1m two year employment programme aimed at supporting 400 job ready young black men into work.

• Six employment support providers selected.

Moving on Up Providers

• Step Ahead• Making The Leap• Hackney CVS (partnership)• Elevations Networks• London Youth• Action Acton

Not just another employment initiative

• Funders & BTEG have set up a London Advisory Group to provide strategic direction for the initiative. This will include implementing the action plan. (GLA, Jobcentre Plus, E&Y)

• An Internship Programme which will be open MoU providers to employ paid interns for 6-9 months

• BTEG will produce regular policy briefings, keep the issue on the agenda and host workshops for providers to share good practice.

• The Social Innovation Partnership/Project Oracle will provide evaluation support.

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

“…how much talent and capability are businesses missing by not looking to employ people from black communities at the same rate as they might have done for anybody else. And that’s the real challenge to get across to people the idea that businesses need to rethink the way they look at every that comes to them for a job.”

Iain Duncan Smith MP, 3 March 2014.

Other Targeted Initiatives

• London Jobcentre Plus (funded four pilots aimed at young black men).

• London Borough of Hackney: identified young black men as a priority group.

• Mayor’s Mentoring Programme for black boys in secondary school.

Visit www.bteg.co.ukfor

Capital VolunteersRoutes2Success

Opening Doors NetworkKey national statistics

Thank you