Ground-breaking digital skills programme backed by leading global employers to prevent a lost generation

A new digital and personal skills programme has been launched to help young people make the transition from education to employment.
Backed by leading global employers, FastFutures will help tens of thousands of young people each year to develop vital workplace skills and help them to secure employment at a time when internships and work placements are limited because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The inaugural 12-week FastFutures programme is being launched with 1,000 free places funded by the founding employers – AstraZeneca, Agilisys, AO.com, Barclays, Blenheim Chalcot, BT, Legal & General, Modulr, Health Education England and its partner NHS bodies, Octopus Group, Salary Finance and Tate & Lyle.
Participants will learn the business, technology, data, finance and personal life skills most valued by employers as part of a virtual and physical learning experience which includes virtual business visits, live CEO Q&A sessions and an employer-led mentoring programme, culminating in an employer interview.
The programme is being supported by the Local Enterprise Partnership Network.
Mark Bretton, Chair, Local Enterprise Network, commented:
“A programme that supports and enables our young people to gain the digital and personal skills they’ll need for their future careers is a great initiative. The fact it’s backed by some of the leading businesses in the UK and prioritises underrepresented groups will target those who need it most. We look forward to working with the programme team to see how LEPs can use our existing, proven skills infrastructure to accelerate implementation and help our young people to access the opportunities they deserve.”
FastFutures has been launched by Blenheim Chalcot, the UK’s leading digital venture builder, and is being delivered by Avado, the country’s leading digital vocational skills provider, supported by Hive Learning to enable a modern, social learning experience.
Mark Creighton, CEO of Avado, commented:
“It’s a truly unique programme that will give young people from all backgrounds the chance to gain not just skills – but the skills the employers really value and want, as well as a network of connections, and the confidence and mindset to succeed in a business environment.”
FastFutures has been designed to appeal to and prioritise underrepresented groups using a transformative approach to deliver a diverse group of participants and help address inequalities across the workforce. Applications are open now and the deadline for submissions is 13^th August 2020.
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