Youth charity Nottinghamshire YMCA is pleased to announce it is working with O2 Business to help open up life-changing opportunities for vulnerable young people in Nottingham.
In addition to introducing varied O2 customer benefits for the non-profit charity’s community keyworkers, the YMCA and O2 are working on a new initiative to open doors for training and key skills education for formerly homeless young people living at the YMCA’s supported housing across Nottinghamshire.
Collaborating with O2 and Jobskilla, free virtual two-week Digital Inclusion courses in IT skills are being offered for 50 unemployed young YMCA residents through the contract. The course culminates in learners gaining NCFE Level 1 qualifications in ‘Employability Skills’ and ‘Personal and Social Development’, plus a free tablet to support their job applications.
Jo Bradley-Fortune, Director of Corporate Development and Fundraising at Nottinghamshire YMCA, said: “We are always seeking creative new avenues to develop our support packages for at-risk young people in our communities.
“In light of the pandemic, we recognise that collaborations with socially responsible technology companies are now even more instrumental for equipping young people with the life tools they need to belong, contribute and thrive in the post-COVID digital age.
Jo Bertram, Managing Director at O2 Business, said: “Here at O2, we know that connectivity has a central role to play in helping build the workforce of tomorrow – and teaming up with Nottinghamshire YMCA and Jobskilla to tackle digital exclusion amongst young people locally is a great example of this. From healthcare and local government through to transport and housing, we’re very proud of our work in the public sector, and look forward to hearing many success stories from this project as it rolls out.”