On International Youth Day, Tate & Lyle is shining a spotlight on the stark inequalities that young people from low-income families face in the UK. “Where you start should not affect where you end up. Yet too often it does,” the company highlighted in a recent statement, reflecting on the barriers to social mobility that persist across the country.
In the UK, nearly two-thirds of young people born into low-income families fail to achieve qualifications beyond GCSE level by the time they turn 19. This educational disadvantage often leads to a cycle of unemployment or low-paid work, entrenching intergenerational poverty and exacerbating social inequality.
Tate & Lyle recognises that the issue is not a lack of ambition among these young people. “Young people from low-income families do not lack aspirations. However, they can lack the guidance, networks, and role models – readily afforded to their more privileged peers – that can support them to develop their aspirations and understand the steps they can take to turn them into reality,” the statement continues.
In response, Tate & Lyle has taken proactive steps to address these disparities by participating in the Future Frontiers youth mentoring programme. “We want to help change that,” the company asserts, detailing their recent involvement in the initiative. Over four Mondays in June and July, employees from Tate & Lyle worked closely with students from a high school in a London borough where one in three children live in poverty. The programme aimed to transform students’ attitudes towards learning, boost their engagement at school, and enhance their chances of progressing into high-quality post-16 education or training.
The success of this initiative would not have been possible without the commitment of the inspiring participants, the dedication of Tate & Lyle’s employee coaches, and the exceptional team at Future Frontiers. “Swipe to see some highlights of the difference we’re making together,” the company encourages, celebrating the positive impact of their collaborative efforts.
As International Youth Day is observed, Tate & Lyle’s involvement in initiatives like Future Frontiers underscores the vital role that businesses can play in bridging the opportunity gap, empowering young people, and fostering the next generation of talent.
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Hannah Larvin
Editor, International Confectionery
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