Law firm work placement programme opens doors for L&Q residents
Social housing residents have received training, mentoring and valuable work experience at a top international law firm thanks to their landlord, L&Q.
The programme, held in collaboration with Trowers & Hamlins, saw seven individuals from diverse and underrepresented socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds complete two weeks work experience at the Islington-based firm. The work placements began on Monday 6 June and finish today.
As well as gaining relevant, on-the-job experience in a field of their choice, participants were given £100 of clothing vouchers, lunch and travel allowances and an additional £50 of vouchers on completion.
L&Q has worked with Trowers & Hamlins for more than fifteen years and has provided over 350 people with the skills to apply for future positions through a high-quality training offer.
Successful candidates were selected during a day at the firm’s London office and were placed in departments including marketing, HR, information services, operations and the secretariat.
The action-packed recruitment day took place in May and consisted of inspirational talks from Trowers & Hamlins Managing Associate, David Hughes, and Diversity and Inclusion Manager, Reg Amoah, alongside a networking lunch and interviews in the afternoon.
The city firm sponsors two cohorts every year, hosting up to twelve placements annually - with a total of 180 placements since the programme’s inception.
Participants from previous years have seen their careers flourish since taking part in the programme – with three offered permanent roles in IT and catering.
Matt Corbett, Director of L&Q Foundation, said:
“We’re delighted to be working with Trowers & Hamlins again, on this programme which will help prepare residents from disadvantaged backgrounds for career success.
“At L&Q, we have a proven track record of working with our partners to be a catalyst for inclusion and opportunity in our communities.
“Underpinning this work is the belief that everyone deserves opportunities to reach their potential, to be supported and hopeful, and able to imagine and plan for a better future."
Nicola Ihnatowicz, Employment Partner and Head of CSR, Trowers and Hamlins, said:
"We’re proud to continue our long-standing partnership with L&Q and to be taking on seven talented individuals, offering them meaningful experience of work with clear duties, responsibilities and goals.
"Amid the current talent and skills shortage, the incentive is clear. As well as delivering on our commitment to support our local communities through opportunities to access work, diversity and inclusion is critical to business success.
"We were highly impressed with the calibre of candidates and look forward to supporting them with the next steps on their career journey, wherever that may take them.”
Across the UK, housing associations and other social landlords play a vital role in supporting their residents to access good work and to progress in work.
L&Q’s in-house team of employment advisers provide a service that is free to all residents and people living in our communities, offering tailored support to anyone looking for a job, whether it is their first step on the career ladder, or they are returning to work after time out of the labour market.
The charitable housing association places an emphasis on one-to-one support, with advisors taking the time to understand individual needs and offer careers guidance, interview training, job placements, apprenticeship opportunities and access to training.
Part of the employment support team’s role is to broker employment opportunities between larger employers and job hunters, with the aim of breaking down barriers for people from underprivileged backgrounds.
Research from the National Housing Federation has shown that social housing providers invest over £70m every year in employment-related services, making them the UK’s second biggest investor in employment support after the DWP.