About Us

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Bristol Future Talent Partnership brings together forward-thinking organisations committed to shaping a city where every young person has the opportunity to thrive. By uniting behind a shared vision—to make Bristol the fairest and most racially equal place to study and work in the UK, we create real, measurable change.

Right now, many young people in Bristol encounter some of the highest levels of inequality and racial discrimination in the country, especially when pursuing education and employment. We work directly with young people aged 14 to 21 from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds, breaking down barriers, raising aspirations, and opening doors to futures they can confidently strive for. Through high-quality work experience and development opportunities offered by our partners, we connect outstanding young talent with the organisations that need them most.

By joining the Bristol Future Talent Partnership, organisations can build meaningful intergenerational relationships, welcome fresh perspectives, and strengthen their workforce with diverse, motivated future leaders. Together, we can transform outcomes for young people and help Bristol become a beacon of equity, opportunity, and talent for all.

Our Programme

Research has shown that over a quarter of young people think that guaranteed work experience is one of the most important interventions to help them into good employment. (Youth Futures Foundation Discrimination and work: breaking down the barriers faced by ethnically minoritised young people 2024)

Created in collaboration with students, businesses and educational establishments, our work experience programme is designed to be transformational from the outset. It not only meets the educational requirements placed onto students but also fosters those skills needed for them to succeed in their future careers.

Our placements have been selected to give students an insight into careers across a diverse range of organisations. We provide advice on apprenticeships, direct or graduate entry schemes and offer career skills workshops and networking opportunities. Transportation to and from the placement, as well as lunch, is always provided ensuring that there is no barrier to any student taking part.

We want the students to continue to benefit from the programme after it's completion. In that spirit, we offer group mentoring and students also receive a subscription to our student newsletter, which highlights opportunities across our partner organisations.

The Case for Change

Bristol is a great city. It’s the UK’s only European Green Capital, has been voted one of the greenest cities in the country and the Sunday Times named it one of the best places to live in the South West.

However, not everyone in the city experiences it so positively.

Black and ethnic minorities in Bristol face the 7th worst levels of multiple inequalities in England and Wales - across education, employment, health and housing
Bristol is in the bottom quartile for employment inequality for Black and ethnic minorities, with Black people also experiencing the 3rd highest level of educational inequality
Bristolians from a Black African background are five times more likely to be unemployed than if they were white

Tackling racial inequality is, of course, the right thing to do. But with 22% of the city’s population from a Black or minority ethnic background, there is a strong economic argument for doing so too.

Figures from Bristol: a city divided? Ethnic Minority disadvantage in Educational and Employment. Centre on Dynamics of Ethnicity. Runnymede Report.

Our Partners