Cambridge University colleges help fight youth homelessness
King’s College and St John’s College are backing the FutureIN initiative which helps tackle youth homelessness through paid apprenticeships in the construction sector.
Both colleges have formally committed to embedding FutureIN into their future construction projects, ensuring that apprentices and interns from the award-winning programme will gain vital skills and on-site experience.
Recognising the increasing challenges of hidden homelessness among young people in Cambridge, King’s and St John’s have pledged to appoint FutureIN apprentices or interns – from vulnerable backgrounds, and who may be at risk of homelessness – on their major building projects by mandating their involvement with the main contractors and subcontractors working for them.
Alison Cox, Domestic Bursar, St John’s College said: “We are pleased to be working with FutureIN. As a construction client, we recognise our ability to drive positive change, improving the lives of young people and developing a talented workforce through apprenticeships.”
Polly Ingham, Domus Bursar at King’s College added: “We recognise the value of learning in many forms and are delighted to partner with FutureIN on this initiative. Apprenticeships and internships like these have the potential to make a meaningful impact on young people and their futures.”
Bob Ensch, Programme Lead, FutureIN said: “The commitment from King’s and St John’s Colleges is a game-changer. Their support not only helps young people gain life-changing employment opportunities but also sends a strong message to the property and construction industry that addressing youth homelessness is a shared responsibility. We hope this will inspire other colleges, developers, and investors to get involved.”
The Howard Group has been on board with FutureIN from the very beginning and CEO Nicholas Bewes has been involved since its inception and takes a hands-on role in encouraging other property companies to support its objectives.
He said: “This announcement represents a significant milestone for FutureIN. It demonstrates the role that construction clients, landowners and employers can play in delivering real social impact, while also helping to solve the industry’s ongoing skills shortage.
“Our vision is that every major construction project in Greater Cambridge commits to employing FutureIN apprentices – King’s and St John’s are setting a fantastic example.”
Construction, property, and development companies who would like to get involved with FutureIN, should visit www.futurein.org.uk for more details, or contact Sue Appleby via telephone on (01603) 737 739 or via email at sue@tracweb.co.uk
FutureIN is a Cambridge-based programme that provides homeless young people, or those facing homelessness, with apprenticeship opportunities in the construction sector.
The programme is a partnership with property owners, developers and private contractors alongside not-for-profit organisations that have included TrAC, YMCA Trinity, Groundworks East, New Meaning Foundation, It Takes A City and LandAid, and employment partners such as the DWP.
The FutureIN programme includes pre-apprenticeship training and work experience as well as sustainable housing provisions before, during and after the apprenticeship programme and ongoing support.