In a bid to enhance opportunities for disadvantaged young people, global energy company BP has joined forces with The Prince’s Trust to launch a groundbreaking initiative.
The partnership aims to facilitate the entry of up to 50 individuals into paid work through four comprehensive programmes over the next year.
The focal point of this collaboration is the creation of the comprehensive 'Get into Retail' programme, meticulously designed by both bp and The Prince’s Trust. This initiative goes beyond conventional employability training by offering participants valuable work experience.
The programme's structure reflects a commitment to providing tangible skills and support, fostering inclusivity in the retail sector across bp's UK network.
Successful kick-off and positive impact
The partnership officially commenced in May 2023, with the inaugural cohort of seven young people engaging in the 'Get into Retail' programme in the Milton Keynes area.
Following the first successful cohort, a second group completed its work experience in South London in November 2023. Impressively, 11 out of the 14 participants from these cohorts have already secured permanent employment with bp.
Alex Fleming, head of Business Development at The Prince's Trust, expressed gratitude for the collaboration, emphasising the alignment between bp's vision for workplace equity and The Prince’s Trust's mission to support young individuals facing adversity.
Expanding opportunities: future programmes and social mobility at bp
Looking ahead, the partnership plans to roll out the next two 'Get into Retail' programmes in North London in January and in Kent in March 2024. The initiative aligns with bp's broader commitment to social mobility, as outlined in its 2022 Social Mobility Framework for Action.
This framework aims to eliminate barriers, promoting diversity and inclusion within bp. As part of these efforts, the company has set an ambitious goal of delivering more than 500 annual work experience opportunities worldwide by 2024.
