Empowering futures: How a social mobility charity is changing lives in Birmingham

Written by Nic Skipwith, director of income generation at LTSB

At the heart of every community lies opportunity - access to education, employment, and the support needed to succeed.

That’s why we are proud to share the ongoing success of our Employment Programme, which is transforming the career prospects of disadvantaged young people right here in Birmingham.

Our mission is simple: to help talented young individuals from underrepresented and underserved backgrounds access meaningful career opportunities.

Through mentoring, tailored career support, skills workshops, and direct connections to employers, we bridge the gap between potential and opportunity.

Real impact, Real change

We’re excited to share that since October 2024, we have supported 11 young people into career roles with leading local businesses, including Lloyds Banking Group, Naismiths, and National Grid.

These are more than just jobs - they represent life-changing opportunities, the first steps into long-term careers.

Our 2025 programme marks 10 years of LTSB in Birmingham as we go again with a new cohort of amazing young people.

Our partnerships with local employers are crucial to this success, demonstrating the power of businesses to be forces for positive change in our community.

Imaad, an LTSB alumni said: "The LTSB Business Programme came at the perfect time.

“After facing rejection from an opportunity I was really hopeful about, I felt knocked back and defeated.

“LTSB helped me rebuild my confidence, develop my  interview and people skills, and realise that rejection isn’t the end, it was just redirection.

“Now I absolutely feel ready to take on whatever comes next in my professional career in business no matter the difficulty."

Why this matters for Birmingham

When we invest in the potential of young people, we’re investing in a more diverse, skilled, and resilient local workforce.

By opening doors to those who’ve historically been shut out, we not only uplift individuals but strengthen our entire regional economy.

A call to local employers

This work wouldn’t be possible without the support of local businesses and there’s room for more. We invite local employers to:

• Offer work placements or internships
• Provide mentorship or career talks
• Fundraise for us by taking part in a small work-fundraiser on or around Social Mobility Awareness Day in June (who doesn’t love an excuse for a cake sale!)

Together, we can create a Birmingham where every young person has a fair shot at success, no matter their background.

For more information, please email [email protected].