Our Emerging Talent Programme won the innovation category at the BPIC Awards 2024. Proud ETP graduate Safaa Usmani went along to pick up the award.
Future of London’s Emerging Talent Programme was handed the “best innovation” award at the BPIC Awards for inclusion in the built environment sector.
We are thrilled at the recognition of the programme, which helps people from ethnic minority backgrounds launch their careers in the built environment.
Proud to be an Emerging Talent Programme graduate
“As a graduate of the Emerging Talent Programme, I was proud to pick up the award on behalf of Future of London,” says Safaa Usmani (pictured), who graduated last year.
“It was great to go to the awards and hear about all the other amazing initiatives to improve inclusion and diversity in the sector. Every one of the nominated individuals and teams is an inspiration for the difference that can be made in the sector.
“The BPIC Awards celebrate people making a difference to diversity in the sector while highlighting that more needs to be done.”
The BPIC innovation award recognises “ground-breaking and pioneering initiatives” that “demonstrate exceptional originality and effectiveness in addressing challenges”.
BPIC Network was set up to support and promote inclusion in the sector.
“We are delighted to receive this leading industry award, which recognises the ongoing challenge to improve diversity and inclusion in the built environment sector,” says Nicolas Mathers, chief executive of Future of London.
“We launched the Emerging Talent Programme because knew the sector has a diversity problem. Despite a growing understanding of the benefits of inclusion and diversity in organisations, the sector is still not representative of the people who live in London.”
Challenge to the sector
At the awards event, Councillor Anthony Okereke, leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, delivered this message to the sector: “What are you doing to lower the ladder to someone else in the sector?”
The Emerging Talent Programme matches candidates with leading London employers, which provide paid work placements. Placements last six to nine months, with candidates getting experience in the public and private sectors.
Two intakes have already graduated from the programme, with the third finishing next year. Over three-quarters (79%) of starters have now secured jobs in the sector. The majority (64%) were offered jobs by a host employer.
Future of London is currently recruiting candidates and host organisations that can offer work placements for the fourth intake. The next programme starts in April.