Unlocking refugee talent to access skilled people looking for work

by Jul 11, 2022Awareness Raising, Campaigning, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Events, News, Our networks, Refugee support

The City & Guilds Foundation recently ran a virtual event with our partners The Launchpad Collective to examine how to unlock refugee talent to access skilled people looking for work.

The Launchpad Collective (TLC) connects employers with refugee talent. Steered by refugees, for refugees, working side-by-side with both job seekers and employers so that roles are filled and refugees are empowered to contribute positively to society.

TLC also challenge the systems and inequalities that lead to this talent being obstructed and overlooked. And at this time of economic uncertainty, with job vacancies at an all-time high, they want employers to be able to access the skills and experience of people with refugee backgrounds.

Attendees learned more about the current refugee landscape and heard from a number of individuals with refugee backgrounds as well as employers who have experience of both hiring and working with people with refugee backgrounds. You can watch the event recording above.

The Launchpad collective are also looking for people to test a new employer toolkit aimed at helping break down the barriers to hiring a refugee. If you are interested, sign up to be a toolkit tester via the form below.

Unlocking refugee talent to access skilled people looking for work

Help us make change happen: sign up to be a refugee toolkit tester!

Test and develop our employer toolkit to effectively recruit and support refugees. Your input is essential to ensure the final product works for employers.
Sign up here to get involved:
This question requires a valid email address.
The City & Guilds Foundation needs the contact information you provide to us to contact you about our products and services. You may unsubscribe from these communications at anytime. For information on how to unsubscribe, as well as our privacy practices and commitment to protecting your privacy, check out our Privacy Policy.

Want to be kept up to date?

Sign up to City & Guilds Foundation email alerts and newsletter

Previous posts

The return on belonging: Investing in refugee talent and skills, unlocking potential

Last week Refugee Week shone a light on the experiences, contributions and resilience of people seeking sanctuary in the UK. As we reflect on last week, it feels like an appropriate time to look back on the City & Guilds Foundation’s long-standing commitment to...

£130,000 boost to help refugees build skills and rebuild careers

As Refugee Week shines a spotlight on the contributions, resilience and potential of people seeking sanctuary, the City & Guilds Foundation has announced funding for two new initiatives designed to help refugees and people from migrant backgrounds build skills,...

Princess Royal Training Award-Winning Impact: How P Flannery’s Skills Bootcamps are tackling the construction skills gap and building an inclusive skills pipeline

When P Flannery Plant Hire received a Princess Royal Training Award in 2025, it recognised a bold, employer-led approach to tackling one of the construction industry’s most persistent challenges: a critical shortage of skilled plant operators. Through the development...

Supporting the carers who put others first: A £25,000 bursary fund to help young carers build their futures

Carers Trust is a leading UK charity working to transform the lives of unpaid carers, partnering with a network of local carer organisations to deliver vital support, services and recognition for those who look after family members or friends. For many young carers,...

Behind every NEET statistic is a young person – what the Milburn review means for skills

The publication of Alan Milburn’s interim review on young people and work should be a wake-up call for all of us. With more than 1 million young people now classified as NEET, this is not simply a youth employment challenge. It is a challenge for our economy and our...

Foundation Newsletter: May 2026

This month brings exciting news: a new leader, a memorable visit to the National Theatre with HRH The Princess Royal, and a look at what's coming next for our strategy and partnerships.

Rising dough, rising futures: £50,000 awarded to The Clink Bakery at HMP Brixton

The City & Guilds Foundation has awarded £50,000 to The Clink Charity to safeguard and strengthen The Clink Bakery at HMP Brixton; a life-changing vocational training programme that is equipping people in prison with the skills, qualifications and support they...

Building Skills, Rebuilding Futures: The Transformation of Spinney House

A major refurbishment project which was awarded £25,000 funding from us at the City & Guilds Foundation is nearing completion. The project has saw the transformation of an empty three-bedroom house into a safe, welcoming space where women on Release on Temporary...

Announcing our new Chief Executive, Ben Blackledge

A leading voice in UK and international skills development will join us at a pivotal moment for opportunity and growth. Today we’ve announced the appointment of Ben Blackledge as our new Chief Executive, bringing extensive experience in skills leadership and a strong...

City & Guilds Foundation awards £25,000 to Citizen Hub to unlock accessible volunteering and skills development

Citizen Hub has been awarded £25,000 from the City & Guilds Foundation to expand its work in making volunteering more accessible and strengthening community-led support in St Neots and Wimbledon. The funding will be split equally between Citizen Hub St Neots and...

Podcast episodes

Foundation & Friends Podcast (2024-)

​Green Skills Podcast in collaboration with Green Edge (2024-)

Hosted by Dr. Michael Cross and Fraser Harper, this podcast series explores the critical transition towards a sustainable planet and the pivotal role of green skills in shaping the economy.

Listen now

City & Guilds Foundation Podcast (2021-22)

Share This