The unemployment rate for young black men has remained persistently high at 30%, despite improvements in their educational attainment.

The Parity project seeks to improve the employability and employment outcomes of Young Black Men living in London. By utilising the skills and expertise of corporate volunteers, ELBA will deliver a range of interventions that support greater labour market engagement and participation among Young Black Men, and raise awareness of and vital access to sustainable career opportunities. We will be offering the young men corporate insight tours and visits, networking seminars and employability sessions with industry professionals. In addition we hope to provide beneficiaries with mentorship, work placements and shadowing schemes.

Research undertaken by Action for Race Equality (ARE, formerly known as Black Training and Enterprise Group (BTEG)) examined why young black men were faring less well in the labour market than other groups. The research found that:

• Young black men have a higher unemployment rate than young men and young women in all other ethnic groups. The unemployment rate for YBM in London actively seeking work is 30%, more than double the rate for young white men (14%).
• The unemployment rate for young black men has remained persistently high despite improvements in their educational attainment.
• Young black men have higher rates of post-16 education than white young men. However, spending longer in education is not leading to any reductions in the higher unemployment rates experienced by young black men. The unemployment rate for black graduates is more than double the unemployment rate for white graduates.