Charity careers website Access Professions and online learning provider Filtered launch foundation to tackle skills gaps in the UK

The Filtered Foundation aims to improve social mobility across the professions by offering those from underrepresented backgrounds free business training from Filtered.com and Higher Education and career opportunities through the website Access Professions.

The online courses cover essential soft skills from leadership and management to strategy, spreadsheeting, project management and compliance. Filtered clients include ING, Asda, New Look, EE and Regus.

The website Access Professions has almost 20,000 students, parents and teachers utilising the site with over 45% of student users being from an ethnic minority background and nearly 70% being female. Around 50 users register each week with hundreds of events and activities populating the site. Main sponsor ICAEW and partners the Law Society, PwC and BLP are firms currently benefitting from the platform.

Victoria Smith, Filtered Foundation's manager, said about this new partnership:

"There are many fantastic activities and events to encourage and inspire students from less privileged backgrounds to apply to large firms – but these can only prepare students to a certain point. To excel in the modern workplace, new starters must also be familiar with the necessary software, hold their own in an interview and show they are well prepared for work. The Foundation offers students access to Filtered's online courses from an earlier age to make this happen."

Marc Zao-Sanders, co-founder and MD of Filtered, also commented:

"Filtered is proud to be launching its foundation to develop the skills of the young. The Filtered Foundation will utilise Access Professions' expertise in helping talented, non-privileged young people with Filtered's outstanding workforce training to close the UK skills gap. We'll measure impact, report back and share best practice. And we invite all firms interested in supporting social mobility through skills development to be in touch with the Foundation today."

With their first project well under way we hear from a graduate who has benefitted from taking one of the online courses:

“I don't have a lot of disposable income, and being given the opportunity to brush up on my skills during this gap in employment is so beneficial – it has broadened the scope of roles I am applying to. As a law graduate, I have found myself barred from such roles as a result of lack of experience and knowledge. Since taking the online courses, and including it in my applications, I have been called to more interviews."

Onyeka Onyekwelu

To find out more call +44 (0)20 7729 9043, email foundation@filtered.com or visit learn.filtered.com/foundation.