Mitie Foundation
The Mitie Foundation exists to break down perceived barriers to employment for disadvantaged groups within the communities in which Mitie operates. In doing so, Mitie attracts the very best potential, enriching the diversity of its workforce as well as that of its clients.
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candidates have completed our Ready2Work programme
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of candidates have gained a job via our Ready2Work programme
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volunteering days facilitated by the Foundation
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people released from prison introduced to local employers
Our Mission
Established in 2013, the Foundation is a registered charity focussed on providing varied life opportunities for disadvantaged groups.
We are passionate about breaking down barriers and helping a diverse range of participants who may have been overlooked, but are nonetheless enthusiastic and capable, into sustainable, fulfilling employment.
The Foundation’s initiatives support the following groups with tailored programmes to help them overcome the unique barriers they face:
- Long term unemployed
- Disabled and those with learning difficulties
- Veterans
- Ex-offenders
- Young people
Moving forward, the Foundation will continue to support disadvantaged groups, and to educate others in order to challenge the stigma and negative perceptions that so often surround them. Our mission remains to provide varied life opportunities and to open viable routes to sustainable employment.
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Our relationship with Mitie Group plc
Mitie’s vision is to lead the facilities management industry in creating social value through everyday operations, leaving a lasting legacy for the communities in which the organisation works.
The Foundation is wholly funded by Mitie Group plc but operates independently with a separate board and management structure. The Foundation has assisted in shaping Mitie’s sustainability framework and its activities play a pivotal role in helping the organisation meet social value and corporate social responsibility (CSR) objectives.
“The Mitie Foundation and Mitie Group Plc have long been a force for good. To build on achievements made, the expanded programme offering will now assist an even broader range of candidates into the world of work. I’m proud of the joint role the Mitie Foundation and Mitie Group Plc plays in shaping brighter futures through worthwhile employment.”
Phil Bentley, CEO Mitie Group Plc
Our Programmes
An introduction to the workplace equips struggling candidates with the skills to tackle barriers they may have faced. Ready2Work is a collaborative initiative between the Mitie Foundation, Mitie and the organisation’s clients to facilitate rewarding work experience.
Ready2Work
The Foundation’s flagship work experience programme is an action-packed, eight-week introduction to the world of work, providing candidates with a route into sustainable employment. Our tailored approach enables individuals to upskill and rebuild confidence within a supportive environment.
Mitie backs Ready2Work by offering work experience placements within its offices, or with one of the organisation’s clients.
“Two people that took part are now working within Mitie, which is a fantastic outcome.”
Caroline Geiss, Inclusive Employment Consultant, Essex County Council
During the programme, Mitie volunteers mentor candidates, offering guidance and support. Participants also gain exposure to the realities of the workplace, including the roles and responsibilities shouldered by the mentor.
“By offering meaningful employment to disadvantaged people I feel we’ve been able to offer real opportunity to individuals from the local community.”
Jan Srna, Mitie Contract Manager, Hinchingbrooke Hospital
Specialised Ready2Work programmes
Together with our partner organisations and charities, the Mitie Foundation has created additional variations of Ready2Work. These programmes are tailored to the needs of candidates who face specific challenges in showcasing their ability and potential.
Aligned with Mitie’s proud commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, the Ready2Work Military programme supports veterans in finding civilian roles in facilities management. Mitie recognises that servicemen and women have unique skills and training that can add real value to the business.
The Enable programme assists participants with a disability or learning difficulties, and also supports both Mitie and the organisation’s clients in providing such candidates with sustainable employment.
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Ready2Work participant referral partners:
“Since 2013, Working Chance have worked in partnership with Mitie Foundation placing over 20 women with lived experience of the criminal justice system into the Ready2Work programme. As well as having placed a number of women into paid roles through Mitie, the Ready2Work programme has proved to be an excellent stepping stone in supporting candidates with their long-term career goals and aspirations.”
Working Chance
Mitie Foundation case studies
Dora Onga arrived in the UK as a refugee from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As English was not her first language, she struggled with confidence and turned to the charity Breaking Barriers for help finding employment.
After securing a place on Ready2Work, Dora spent several weeks at Deloitte. She felt fully supported throughout and her confidence improved dramatically. Dora was subsequently offered the position of housekeeping supervisor at Deloitte’s London campus and even voted the Ready2Work candidate who had progressed the most by her peers.
“I am grateful for the opportunity that I was given, which has really opened doors for me.”
Jeff Barr has learning difficulties and epilepsy. After leaving school he struggled to secure work and faced many disappointing rejections. Looking back, Jeff realises this had a negative impact on his mental health and made him prone to anxiety attacks.
Jeff was referred to Ready2Work by his Job Centre advisor. The programme was tailored to provide work experience for candidates interested in working in cleaning, and Jeff was placed at the NHS Hinchingbrooke Hospital, Cambridgeshire. Despite his initial reservations, Jeff pushed himself and performed so well he was offered a full-time job following the placement.
“I’m on cloud nine. This is the best opportunity of my life! Working is so much better than not working.”
As part of our charity partner Career Ready’s 2019/20 support programme, several Lloyds Banking Group team members from Mitie’s Thorpe Park office in Leeds registered to work with Year 2 students from nearby Garforth Academy.
Career Ready helps young people from lower-income backgrounds kickstart rewarding careers by delivering a programme of workplace visits, mentoring, career skills masterclasses, paid internships and other employer-led activities in schools and colleges across the UK.
The 2019/20 programme launched with a trip to London for the Garforth Academy students, including a visit to Mitie’s Shard HQ to get a glimpse of what it’s like to work in facilities management.
“The students all had a wonderful day and the feedback was extremely positive. A few of the students hadn’t been to London before, so it was an eye-opening experience!”
Rachel Costoya, Garforth Academy Teacher
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Giving Back
Mitie is committed to enriching the communities in which the organisation works and to addressing inequality in society. In support of this, the Foundation manages the company’s employee volunteering programme, Giving Back. Mitie colleagues can use their annual volunteering day to support good causes in their locality.
Mitie has made a significant five-year pledge by committing to 1,000 employee volunteering days during financial year 20/21, increasing to 2,000 by 24/25.
Mitie’s 5-year volunteer pledge:
| Financial Year | Day | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020/21 | 1,000 | 8,000 |
| 2021/22 | 1,250 | 10,000 |
| 2022/23 | 1,500 | 12,000 |
| 2023/24 | 1,750 | 14,000 |
| 2024/25 | 2,000 | 16,000 |
Mitie colleagues can volunteer with the Mitie Foundation and have the opportunity to provide mentoring, conduct mock interviews and assist Business Challenge Days. Volunteering is also available with several partner charities aligned to Mitie’s social value framework.
Volunteering charity partners:
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Business Challenge Days
Sometimes the challenge of an interview can be the very thing that prevents a perfectly capable candidate getting a job, particularly those with perceived barriers to employment. With limited time to impress and the possibility of unconscious bias working against them, the experience and talent they offer can be overlooked.
Business Challenge Days are fun Dragons’ Den-style events that connect companies with such marginalised individuals. By allowing candidates to showcase their abilities outside an interview scenario, the day serves as an excellent alternative to more traditional recruitment methods.
The Foundation-delivered events have proved particularly successful with the homeless, young people, those with disabilities and ex-offenders.
Foundation Trustees
- Chair, Salma Shah
- Trustee, Jasmine Hudson
- Trustee, Rebecca Faulkiner
- Trustee, Nav Kalley
- Trustee, Prad Pandit
- Trustee, Andrew Buckley
Moving forward
The Foundation will continue to support disadvantaged groups, and to educate others in order to challenge the stigma and negative perceptions that so often surround them. Our mission remains to provide varied life opportunities and to open viable routes to sustainable employment.
How can we help?
If you’re looking for more information, need to talk to someone about an enquiry or want to chat about your service needs, then you’ve come to the right place.
Please fill in our short form and a member of our team will be in touch.
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