Empowering East London’s Future Through STEPS

Transforming Lives with ELBA and SEGRO
In a powerful partnership, ELBA and SEGRO have designed the STEPS programme to provide essential support to unemployed residents of East London. Over the course of 8 weeks, participants engage in employability skills training, followed by 3 months of dedicated mentoring. This initiative targets early career starters and unemployed jobseekers aged 18-30, helping them overcome employment barriers and build a solid foundation for their careers.

Making a difference in east London
The STEPS project is focused on equipping unemployed residents from East London boroughs with the tools they need to succeed in the job market. By incorporating expert-led interventions, such as workshops on completing online job applications delivered by corporate volunteers, STEPS enhances participants’ recruitment knowledge and employability skills. This targeted approach assists participants in overcoming obstacles and improving their chances of securing employment.

Building on success
Since ELBA’s employment programme was established in 2005, we have been committed to engaging member companies in uplifting disadvantaged communities through upskilling and providing access to work. Our collaboration with partners like SEGRO has fostered meaningful volunteer opportunities, allowing professionals to share their time and expertise with those who need it most.

Last year’s achievements

• Empowering participation: 34 beneficiaries from each STEPS cohort engaged in 8 weeks of intensive workshops aimed at improving their employability skills.
• Securing futures: 18 participants successfully secured employment, while another 5 returned to full-time education.

Volunteer engagement

• Facilitators in action: 16 volunteer facilitators delivered impactful employability workshops.
• Dedicated mentors: 6 volunteer mentors provided ongoing support to participants.

Looking ahead with SEGRO
SEGRO’s continued involvement is set to amplify the impact of the STEPS programme. By expanding its reach, we aim to transform employment outcomes for even more individuals in east London through this proven and promising model. Together, we are building a brighter future for the community, one step at a time.

About SEGRO:
SEGRO is a UK Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), and a leading owner, asset manager and developer of modern warehousing and industrial property. SEGRO owns or manages 10.4 million square metres of space (112 million square feet) valued at £20.7 billion, serving customers from a wide range of industry sectors. Its properties are located in and around major cities and at key transportation hubs in the UK and in seven other European countries. SEGRO was selected by the Greater London Authority as its development partner for the 86-acre East Plus regeneration scheme to deliver a total of 1.4 million sq ft of modern industrial space on brownfield land across Newham, Barking & Dagenham and Havering.

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