Help to land a job: 'I sent out 300 applications and got 299 rejections'

Universities and employers have united to help people from low-income families in Bristol to earn a median salary.

The Bristol-based organisation Babbasa started the OurCity2030 scheme that seeks to help 2,030 young people from low- income households by 2030.

Medha, 24, from Bristol, has recently secured a marketing role through Babbasa, working for Aerospace Bristol.

She said: "It came at a time when I'd already given up. I had sent out 300 applications and got 299 rejections.

"My mental health had crashed."

Medha said she knew she was employable, but because of her background, she felt disconnected from employers in the city and needed help to sell her CV.

"I was doing it all by myself before, I was exhausted.

"With Babbasa, there was someone to support me. I felt very visible and heard."

Medha has an MA in Media and Communications, but said she felt she lacked the knowledge of how to successfully apply for jobs.

She took part in Babbasa's Challenge Programme, where she worked on a social impact project for Bristol.

"I got to develop skills like communications and how the job market works," she said.

After finishing the programme, she applied for the marketing position at Aerospace Bristol and was supported by Babbasa throughout the process.

"I like museums a lot and I'm really excited," she said.

The programme is supported by Arup design firm, Babbasa, Black South West Network, Bristol & Bath Regional Capital, Bristol City Council, Business West, Cabot Learning Federation, University of Bristol and UWE Bristol.

It has already helped 229 young people find new jobs, of whom 78 are employed in career-oriented roles.

The initiative now aims to support up to 600 young people a year.

Poku Osei, founding director of Babbasa, said: "This is a momentous occasion, not just for the city of Bristol, but for other cities too, to realise what can pragmatically be done at a city level to unlock talent if we are intentional - particularly at a time when we're losing bright young and able minds to a life of crime, gangs, and despondency.

"It's special to be able to have an agreement for a city model that brings together influential cross-sector institutions to tackle the problem head on."

Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, added: "It has been fantastic to see Bristol's businesses, universities and institutions come together to support Babbasa and OurCity2030 so far, with today marking an important milestone in unlocking the next stage in the programme."

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