Our award-winning work placement scheme has a strong track record in enabling people from diverse backgrounds to launch their careers. Find out how it also helps employers with their inclusion strategy.
We were excited to welcome the fourth cohort of our Emerging Talent Programme, which provides work placements to career-starters from ethnically diverse backgrounds.
The programme was launched in 2022 to address the lack of ethnic diversity within the built environment sector, particularly at a senior level.
“At Future of London, we believe that city decision-makers should represent its richly diverse population,” says chief executive, Nicola Mathers.
“We set up the Emerging Talent Programme to help people from underrepresented ethnic groups get their foot in the door of the sector. At the same time, we are helping employers to develop their equalities strategies and improve the diversity of their team.”
At an induction event, the eight candidates heard from sector leaders, including Priya Manoharan, an urban strategist at the international architecture, design and planning firm, Gensler, which hosted the induction day.
Matthew Dibben, Director for Regeneration, Assets and Property at Lambeth Council and new Future of London board director, shared his his top career tips, including the importance of building a professional network and staying connected with former colleagues.
Matthew Dibben of Lambeth Council
During the 15-month programme, each candidate will do two work placements at host organisations, with training days and a mentor from the Future of London network. Managers from host organisations also receive cultural intelligence training, helping them to nurture people from different backgrounds.
Kyron Wong grew up in Islington and Hackney and is part of the generation facing the extreme challenge of finding secure housing. With friends living in temporary accommodation, he became passionate about tackling the housing crisis.
Kyron worked with young people as a volunteer for a local community support charity, where housing was a priority issue. But he wasn’t sure how to turn his passion into a career. Now his first placement is with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
“I had no connection with the built environment sector and saw the Emerging Talent Programme as an opportunity to develop my network,” he says. “I see it as a stepping stone for people from my background.”
After completing the programme, Future of London offers advice and guidance to help participants find permanent jobs in the sector, kick-starting their careers. About 80% of candidates from the first two cohorts found jobs in the sector.
When Yana Bernton joined a Saturday photography class at the Brit school in her home borough of Croydon, she was drawn to the built environment.
“I am interested in architecture so I would take pictures of buildings and landscapes,” she says. After studying architecture for a year, she decided not to continue and went to work as an IT developer in the fintech sector.
In her spare time, she joined the youth engagement panel for the proposed Westfield development in Croydon, before hearing about the Emerging Talent Programme.
“I saw all these great organisations offering placements,” she says. “Many of them with London boroughs to provide affordable housing, which is another thing I’m really passionate about.”
We wish our new cohort of emerging talent participants all the best as they embark on their new adventure!
We are looking for host organisations to offer placements starting in June. Find out more about the employer benefits.