Barnardo’s and QA announce new Charity of the Year partnership

LONDON, UK – 29 October, 2020: QA is delighted to announce a new Charity of the Year partnership with Barnardo’s to support children and young people across the UK, with a focus on addressing the skills gap, workplace diversity and other employment-related challenges facing disadvantaged young people across the country.

Barnardo’s was chosen as the charity partner by QA employees through a staff vote at its annual conference in September. QA, the UK’s largest tech talent and training organisation, will support Barnardo’s both through employee fundraising activities and strategic opportunities across the next 12 months.

At a time when 16- to 24-year-olds are suffering the biggest drop in employment compared with other age groups, and with over a third of young people post-secondary school saying they are not learning any new digital skills, Barnardo’s and QA will work together to offer young people the chance to equip themselves with the necessary skills, confidence and ambition to find work and pursue a career in today’s world.

Barnardo’s Employment, Training & Skills (ETS) services support 3,000 young people each year through specialist, bespoke support for those that are furthest from the job market and hardest to reach. Barnardo’s ETS services operate in close proximity to QA’s training centres across the UK, and throughout the course of the partnership, QA will provide opportunities for employees to volunteer and engage with their local Barnardo’s service.

Launching on 29 October, the partnership will seek to raise £50,000 to support Barnardo’s services across the UK, while also exploring strategic partnership opportunities to address the skills gap currently facing vulnerable young people across the country and promoting the benefits of tackling youth unemployment. The partnership will align closely with Barnardo’s and QA’s commitment to equality and diversity and tackling racism, and bring to life our vision of a better future for all young people.

Barnardo’s and QA are excited to work together to provide better outcomes for disadvantaged young people across the UK.

Stakeholder comments

Paul Geddes, QA Chief Executive, said:

“Our people have spoken and we’re delighted to be partnering with Barnardo’s this year. The work of Barnardo’s has never been more important than it is right now.  I am sure our colleagues will go to great lengths to support and champion the great work of Barnardo’s, as they have done with our previous charities. In addition to traditional fundraising and volunteering, the partnership will look at opportunities to address the digital skills gap and youth unemployment through training and access to employment through our propositions.

“The partnership allows us to have a long-lasting impact on the lives and future of so many vulnerable children and young people across the UK.”

Javed Khan, Barnardo’s Chief Executive, said:

“We are very grateful to the employees of QA for choosing us as their charity partner in this crucial year. We hope this exciting partnership will help more vulnerable young people to access employment and training and work towards a positive future.

“Barnardo’s has witnessed first-hand the harmful effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the young generation. In addition to losing loved ones and missing out on vital education, as the recession sets in, many young people fear for their financial future.

“The virus has also created a ‘perfect storm’ for charities like Barnardo’s, with our income slashed at the very time when our services are needed most.

“We are particularly grateful to our partners like QA for supporting Barnardo’s so we can continue to support vulnerable children and young people across the UK.”