Bond launches Apprenticeship Scheme to Increase Diversity in International Development

Bond has announced a pioneering programme in partnership with tech start-up WhiteHat. The programme will allow NGO’s to run apprenticeships and will have a dual focus on increasing diversity across the charity sector at entry-level and upskilling existing employees. As the first of its kind in the sector, this partnership is set to transform the way NGO’s hire, train and retain talent. 

WhiteHat works to accelerate the careers of a diverse group of future leaders by offering an outstanding alternative to university through apprenticeships. They match ambitious non-graduate talent to opportunities at some of the UK’s top companies, then deliver innovative and job-relevant applied learning over the course of the apprenticeship. WhiteHat has over 1000 diverse, non-graduate candidates applying to join their apprenticeship programmes every week. They work with more than 250 of the world’s best employers giving them a practical and impactful way to access diverse talent pools and build the skills they need, whilst supporting social mobility.
 
“Getting an entry level role at an NGO can be very competitive and historically this has meant they have gone to people with extensive higher education or one type of socio-economic background. Over time this has led to a lack of diversity across the sector so we’re delighted to be able to offer an alternative route into NGOs through apprenticeships.
 
WhiteHat specialises in finding diverse, high-potential young people and offers them a different path to a great career other than the traditional university route. This partnership will bring in a new generation of diverse talent to the NGO sector.” said Stephanie Draper, CEO, Bond the UK network for NGOs.

The apprenticeship schemes will also be used to upskill existing employees. With many people working in the NGO sector for life, this will give them access to training in newer areas like data analysis and digital skills as the industry evolves.

“As a Bond member and a client of WhiteHat, we are really excited about this partnership. Our sector desperately needs an injection of diverse talent and this programme promises that and more. We have worked with WhiteHat to hire two excellent apprentices and upskill existing staff using our levy pot. WhiteHat’s support and advice has been invaluable and I urge everyone in the charity sector to speak to WhiteHat and Bond about how this partnership will change the way we recruit and retain talent.” Andrea Metcalf, Deputy Director of People and Culture, ActionAid UK 

From November 2019, Bond will be running cohorts for their member charities every quarter, for both entry-level staff and existing employees, starting with Data Analytics and Business Associate apprenticeships via their partnership with WhiteHat. These will then expand to include Digital Marketing, Project Management, Leadership and Management, Accounting and Software Engineering.

Euan Blair, Co-founder and CEO of WhiteHat said, “We’re really excited to be working with Bond on this pioneering programme. It’s fantastic to see the NGO sector recognising the value in high-quality apprenticeships as an alternative to hiring university graduates. Everyone joining the programme will get to work with an expert coach in 1:1 and group settings, can attend boot camps and workshops, and will get access to the thriving on and offline WhiteHat community of socials, masterclasses, and networking.”

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