Bond launches apprenticeship to increase diversity in international charities

UK NGO Network, Bond, has launched a new apprenticeship scheme to encourage greater diversity across international development charities.

The scheme, which has been developed in partnership with tech start-up WhiteHat, will allow NGOs to run apprenticeships and will have a dual focus on increasing diversity across the charity sector at entry-level and upskilling existing employees.

WhiteHat works to accelerate the careers of a diverse group of future leaders by offering an outstanding alternative to university through apprenticeships. The organisation matches ambitious non-graduate talent to opportunities at some of the UK’s top companies, then delivers innovative and job-relevant applied learning over the course of the apprenticeship.

The apprenticeship schemes available to charities will be used to upskill existing employees and give them access to training in newer areas like data analysis and digital skills as the industry evolves.

“Getting an entry level role at an NGO can be very competitive and historically this has meant they have gone to people with extensive higher education or one type of socio-economic background. Over time this has led to a lack of diversity across the sector so we’re delighted to be able to offer an alternative route into NGOs through apprenticeships,” Bond CEO, Stephanie Draper said.

“This partnership will bring in a new generation of diverse talent to the NGO sector.”

From November 2019, Bond will be running cohorts for their member charities every quarter, for both entry-level staff and existing employees, starting with Data Analytics and Business Associate apprenticeships via their partnership with WhiteHat.

These will then expand to include Digital Marketing, Project Management, Leadership and Management, Accounting and Software Engineering.

WhiteHat co-founder and CEO, Euan Blair, said: “It’s fantastic to see the NGO sector recognising the value in high-quality apprenticeships as an alternative to hiring university graduates.

“Everyone joining the programme will get to work with an expert coach in 1:1 and group settings, can attend boot camps and workshops, and will get access to the thriving on and offline WhiteHat community of socials, masterclasses, and networking.”