MAPP joins forces with supply chain partners to deliver innovative social impact project with Resurgo

MAPP is pioneering a new, collaborative approach to improving socio-economic background (SEB) diversity, both within MAPP and across the industry, in partnership with young people’s employment charity Resurgo. 

Partnering with our supply chain

EMPOWER supports young individuals facing barriers to the workplace and is already seeing a high number of participants entering full-time employment. In recognition of the need for cross-sector collaboration to promote SEB inclusion across the industry, MAPP has teamed up with four long-term supply chain companies – GUK, GreenZone, The Nurture Group and Ward – with the added benefit of participants being able to learn about a range of employment opportunities. 

The partnership is today announcing the results of first two phases of the employment training scheme EMPOWER. Of the 21 young people who attended, 17 are now in employment, education or training (EET) or have been offered a role and the remaining five not yet in employment, education or training (NEET). 

According to Resurgo, this level of employment is usually attained one year after completion, with the MAPP collaboration reducing this time frame down to five months.  

Social mobility across sectors

The announcement of the EMPOWER results is particularly relevant as this February, the social equality consultancy Bridge Group released a major 10,000-employee survey across thirteen of the UK’s most significant real estate companies. The study found that overall progress in real estate remains fragmented and “worryingly slow.” Among those in senior roles, more than half (51%) are White males from a Higher SEB, while only 14% are from Lower SEBs. 

This is in contrast to leading firms in peer industries such as law, financial services and accountancy, which are acting collaboratively within their sectors to understand and unlock the advantages of increased SEB diversity. An average of only 22% of employees in the sector are from Lower SEBs. This compares with 39% of the UK workforce, 29% in law and 33% in financial services. 

Participant feedback

Below is a small sample of the feedback that was received from participants following the Pilot programme:  

• “It realigned my perception of the workplace with reality, helping me overcome my fears and see things more clearly […] I would recommend continuing to host Springboard inside work environments to help people acclimatise to the workplace.” 

• “I thought in a way that at work you lost a sense of individuality, but the Springboard Pilot programme helped me see that you are more than just a worker, and an individual that’s valued and matters. I love working harder and getting to learn something new every day at work. I’m more productive, much more organised, and happier because I feel much more useful and needed. My vision for the future is getting clearer every day.” 

The EMPOWER programme 

Participants first undergo Resurgo’s renowned SPEAR programme, the six-week employability programme, focusing on developing ‘work readiness indicators’ through training and personalised support. This foundation is enhanced by a two-day Springboard training session where Resurgo and MAPP employees collaborate to equip participants with essential workplace skills, emphasising effective communication and professional engagement. 

In addition, each young person receives 12 months of coaching support from Resurgo, as well as having a mentor from MAPP. Resurgo provides impact measurements and reporting to ensure a long-term sustainable trajectory for the young people. 

All EMPOWER participants are young people aged 16-24 who are not in employment, education or training (NEET), and who face at least one barrier to employment. Resurgo maintains the criteria for what constitutes a ‘barrier to employment’, and currently has a list of some five ‘barriers’, for example ranging from ‘received free school meals’ to ‘have lived in care’.