SOCIETY EXTENDS PARTNERSHIP IN BRADFORD TO DIGITALLY UPSKILL PEOPLE FROM ETHNICALLY DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS

Yorkshire Building Society has announced it is extending its partnership with Good Things Foundation to provide digital skills training to a further 360 people from Black, Asian and ethnically diverse backgrounds in Bradford to help with employability prospects.

The partnership launched last year and forms part of the Society’s commitment to put £1.8million investment over two years (2021/22) into supporting skills, employment, financial education and wellbeing. The first year of the partnership supported 193 people from the city with digital skills training and the extension will see it run for a further 12 months.

Good Things Foundation is the UK’s leading digital inclusion charity, helping people improve their lives through digital. It works with thousands of hyperlocal community partners across the UK to make up the Online Centres Network, reaching deep into communities to help people gain the support and skills they need to change their lives and overcome social challenges.

Pauline Giroux, senior manager for social purpose and sustainability at Yorkshire Building Society, said:

We’re proud to announce today that we will be continuing to help nurture the talent of people from Bradford that may otherwise be overlooked. By working with Good Things Foundation to extend our partnership and deliver digital skills workshops for more people from Black, Asian and ethnically diverse backgrounds, we are supporting adult learners, career switchers and people looking to return to work or start a career to prepare for the future of employment in an increasingly digital world.

The partnership supports the Bradford-based Society’s longer term ambition to provide2,000 people in Bradford, including at least 1,000 young people in the city, with employability support via access to training, work experience, mentoring, apprenticeships and some targeted financial support for further education by the end of 2022.      

10 million people in the UK lack the very basic foundation skills needed for a digital world.

Helen Milner OBE, Chief Executive of Good Things Foundation, said:

We’re delighted to be able to extend our working partnership with Yorkshire Building Society on this project, providing people in Bradford from Black, Asian and ethnically diverse backgrounds digital skills training which will support employability prospects and benefit them and the city region.

For more information on how Yorkshire Building Society supports its communities please visit www.ybs.co.uk/your-society

All information correct at time of publication.

W22-22