LandAid is supporting a stereotype-busting campaign which encourages companies to offer employment opportunities to young people.
The property industry charity, which recently announced a record breaking year of grant awards, is backing the initiative from Circle which lobbies firms to compete against each other to hire unemployed young candidates.
The campaign is spearheaded by a hard-hitting new video which highlights the negative perceptions that often hinder young people in their search for work.
In the video, job seekers were secretly filmed being interviewed by an actor posing as a careers advisor, who asks the unsuspecting candidates to consider career choices such as dealing drugs or getting pregnant in order to claim benefits.
Circle and LandAid believe that the employment prospects of too many young people are impeded by widespread misconceptions that they are lazy and disengaged.
They point out that, while a university education and a good CV may challenge these stereotypes, many youngsters haven’t had the same opportunities in life.
This is the area in which the campaign aims to make a difference. Circle is an East London based charity that specialises in providing training for unemployed young people designed to equip them with a range of skills and prepare them for the world of work.
With the General Election approaching, they are calling on politicians of all parties to make Jobs for the Jobless Generation one of their key priorities.
In the meantime, the property industry can play a role and LandAid urges employers to visit the Circle website where they can watch video CV’s from jobless young people and donate an opportunity. This could be in the form of an interview, work experience or the offer of a job.
Furthermore, LandAid urges anyone not in a position to donate an opportunity to tweet the heads of top companies asking them to consider doing so.
“This is a great campaign and one for which the industry should do its bit,” the charity says.
“Whether it’s a tweet, a share of the video or even a donation, because we have to remember that we are in a position to help fight discrimination.”
Watch the Jobless Generation video here
