At Connect Stars, we are committed to addressing disproportionally low employment rates within the communities we serve. Our employment-focused initiatives aim to provide tailored support, empowering individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to access meaningful opportunities in the workforce. Through innovative partnerships and community-driven programs, we are creating pathways to success for individuals who face systemic barriers to employment.
Our Approach to Employment Support
We design and deliver projects that focus on:
- Enhancing employability skills.
- Providing one-on-one guidance and support.
- Connecting individuals with local employers and training providers.
- Addressing inequalities in the job market to create inclusive opportunities.
By partnering with funding organisations and local councils, our initiatives have a specific emphasis on ethnic minority groups, young people, women, and those with disabilities or long-term health conditions.
Featured Employment Projects
UKSPF Specialised Employability Services
As part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), Connect Stars collaborates with Brent Council and the West London Alliance to deliver specialized employability support for 60 Brent residents from ethnic minority backgrounds, with a particular focus on the Somali population.
Key Highlights:
- Inclusion and equalities targets include 75% participation from BAME communities, 50% female participants, and 20% from disabled or long-term condition backgrounds.
- Tailored employability training and workshops designed to support residents who are economically inactive.
- Dedicated efforts to overcome barriers specific to the Somali community in securing work.
Moving on Up (MoU) Initiative
Connect Stars is proud to contribute to the “Moving on Up” initiative, funded by Trust for London and City Bridge Trust in partnership with the Black Training and Enterprise Group (BTEG). This program focuses on improving employment outcomes for young Black men aged 16-24 across London.
Key Objectives:
- Supporting young Black men in transitioning successfully into employment by tackling systemic barriers in the labor market.
- Building new pathways to work through partnerships with employers and offering work experience opportunities.
- Developing and testing innovative models of support to improve employment outcomes.
Impact and Reach:
- Aims to close the employment gap between young Black men and their peers.
- Provides tailored support for participants, ensuring that they receive practical skills and connections to job opportunities.
