Mersey Reporter - #Merseybites #News

PLANS to help unemployed Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people facing barriers to accessing opportunities in the workplace have been unveiled by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

Four new Trainee Race Equality Employment Advocate roles have been created to help tackle the inequalities preventing people from getting the help they need to move forward.

The trainee advocates will be part of the Combined Authority's Households into Work programme, working closely with its Race Equality Hub.

The £2.3m Race Equality Hub was established by Mayor Steve Rotheram to support career opportunities and the development of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic businesses across the City Region.

Households into Work goes further than supporting people into jobs. The programme helps identify and overcome barriers, such as debt, lack of skills, health issues and self-esteem to the point where employment is a realistic and attainable goal.

Councillor Mike Wharton, Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Business said:- "The funding of the Hub was the largest investment in race equality in the history of the City Region. It is operating as a centre of excellence in tackling racial inequality by focusing on business, employment, and skills development across our area. The new advocates will be focusing on reaching Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people who are further away from the job market, providing support and opening opportunities."

The HiW programme has supported more than 4,000 people since its launch in 2018, but people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities are still missing out on opportunities.

Race Equality Hub Programme Director, Alison Navarro said:- "The Hub's primary purpose is to tackle systemic injustice and inequality and drive forward positive change for Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic employees and residents. The creation of these new roles, working within an existing team that is making a difference to residents across the LCRCA is an amazing opportunity to reach more Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic community members and to understand the challenges they face in accessing employment and supporting them on their journey."

Recruitment has begun for the new advocates who will be from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and have a passion for advocating for ethnically diverse people with multiple complex issues who would not be capable of obtaining and sustaining a job without support.

The initiative ties into the Hub's objectives to operate as a centre of excellence in tackling racial inequality by focusing on employability, business support and leadership across the Liverpool City Region.

The Trainee Race Equality Employment Advocate roles will primarily operate on an outreach basis within one of the Liverpool City Region's Local Authority areas, namely:- Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens or Wirral, but may be required to cover other areas if needed.

The posts are being advertised as Fixed Term contracts in line with current Households into Work funding. Prospective applicants can find further information here.