Camden collaborates to ensure opportunities for underrepresented communities and businesses
Camden council has teamed up with Islington, Hackney and Tower Hamlets councils to launch an innovative £7.4million collaborative project that aims to offer new opportunities and promising futures to residents in the thriving local technology, science and digital sectors.
The four-year project, known as LIFT (Leading Inclusive Futures through Technology), is the first in the country to focus on the ‘knowledge economy’ – helping to ensure local residents have the necessary skills to launch careers or business start-ups in the local technology, science and digital sectors.
The programme is being delivered in partnership with Capital Enterprise, a not-for-profit, grass-roots entrepreneurship organisation who have supported more than 3,500 small businesses and created nearly 7,000 jobs in new start-ups since 2014.
“This exciting partnership with Islington, Hackney and Tower Hamlets councils will see a substantial investment being made to benefit our residents, especially those who are currently under-represented in these sectors, enabling them to get onto the first rung of the ladder in the growing knowledge economy sectors.
“Over the next six months we will be focussing on engaging and recruiting local communities into the project, through links with our wider Good Work Camden programme.
“We will be running an employability incubator programme for residents who want to work in the tech sector, a ‘survive and pivot’ programme to transform businesses through the use of technology, and a range of community engagement events to inspire residents and raise awareness of opportunities in the knowledge economy.
“Longer-term plans include supporting businesses through subsidised affordable workspaces, creating paid internships, apprenticeships and employment opportunities.”
LIFT will help address the underrepresentation of some communities in these sectors, including women, those with disabilities, lone parents and people from Black and ethnic minority backgrounds, as well as seeking out employment and training opportunities from leading digital and tech firms, and aiming to secure new affordable workspace for Camden entrepreneurs.
It will also assist smaller local firms that have yet to get a foothold in digital commerce – essential to help their survival in today’s competitive world.
Longer-term plans include supporting businesses through subsidised affordable workspaces, creating paid internships, apprenticeships and employment opportunities, and upskilling residents to access these, and driving positive change within the knowledge economy sectors through a thought leadership campaign.
For programme information and details of upcoming opportunities, visit www.LiftFutures.London where you can sign-up to the LIFT newsletter to be kept up to date about new opportunities for residents and businesses