Employability day in Manchester, 21 February

This year is the first opportunity for face to face events post pandemic where young people aged 10 to 19, in Manchester and nearby areas, and their parents and carers, had the opportunity to gain invaluable information, advice and guidance from roughly two dozen professionals, from the local Black community, and a similar number of local employers, large and small, at the first Employability Day held on 21st February 2022, at the West Indian Sports & Social Club in Moss Side.

The event, the first of its kind in the city of Manchester, was organised by the Foundation for Reach Society in association with The African Pot Project, to demonstrate how the young people could be inspired via ready access to professionals and employers. Slightly more than, slightly more than 70 young people and parents registered for this employability experience. 

The event was designed for attendees to enjoy themed workshops, along with access to a panel of professionals, from the Black community.  

Throughout the event the attendees interacted with exhibitors from across several sectors including; The RAF, The British Army, Greater Manchester Police, UAS2 (University Academy of Sport), Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, Durham University, Reach Society, Greater Manchester Health & Socialcare Careers Hub, Groundwork GM, Caribbean & African Health Network, CAHN, Planit, One Manchester, NHS Oldham Health Trust, Onward Homes and BT. 

Richard Cooper, a director of the Foundation for Reach Society, said: “The Manchester pilot in collaboration with the TAP Project has taken roughly four months from concept to delivery. It attracted local Black professionals and employers to support the idea; and reached out to young people and their parents and carers to register for the event. The positive response from all stakeholders on the day is further confirmation that an inspirational event of this type can add value to the young black people of Manchester.” 

The Foundation for Reach Society is an outreach team from Reach Society which was set up as a social enterprise in 2010 to encourage, motivate and inspire young people, especially those from the Black community, to raise their educational attainment through increased contact with professionals. 

Dr Dwain Neil OBE, chairman of Reach Society, said: “The whole point of today’s Employability Day was to demonstrate that the model of inspirational events pioneered in London over 10 years, can be tailored for roll out in the city of Manchester, as was successfully done in Leicester and Wolverhampton previously. The Society’s objective is to continue to roll out inspirational activities in urban areas across the UK. The visit also led to the building of new local relationships which augurs well for the future.”