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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 have recruited the very best potential, enriching the diversity of its workforce as well as that of its clients.
301
candidates have completed our Ready2Work programme
70%
of candidates have gained a job via our Ready2Work programme
99,689
volunteering days facilitated by the Foundation
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.”
Kathryn Dolan, Chief People Officer, Mitie
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 three additional variations of Ready2Work. These programmes are tailored to the needs of candidates who face specific challenges in showcasing their ability and potential.
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.
Tailored for individuals in prisons, delivered prior to release with a guaranteed interview.
The demand for employing ex-offenders and prisoners has increased, evidenced by the success in securing the HMP Millsike project and several other significant contracts.
The Mitie Foundation deliver a 5 day workshop to prisoners who are due to be released in 8-12 weeks, they learn areas such as CV writing skills, interview techniques and job searching to prepare them for when they are released. The Mitie Foundation are passionate about supporting those who need it most.
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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
Casmin Lambert, Ready2Work Graduate, London Nov 2023 programme. Joined Mitie Full time in Jan 2024.
What were you doing before the Ready2Work Programme?
Before the program I was looking for a job, doing work experience at the job as well as a 6 week social course at Southwark, which I started doing in August 2023.
I had been out of work for five years, because I needed to focus on my mental and emotional health.
How did this programme stand out for you?
They came to Peckham Job Centre, looking for people who would have properly never got this opportunity. I have always wanted to work for Mitie but was never successful in the application process, because of the big gap I took out of work. What the program is offering (one week employment training and three weeks’ work experience) gave me the opportunity to show Mitie what I am capable of and that was all I needed. I was impressed that a company so big was willing to give people the opportunity.
What did you enjoy most about the training?
I loved The Shard experience; it gave me a feel of being back in the work environment, the hosts were so patience and amazingly supportive, the people I met, the lunch and the placement they gave me was perfect for me. They got to know a little about me and were able to place me somewhere I fitted in greatly.
How has the Ready2Work programme helped you personally and professionally?
Professionally it has changed my life for the better, without this program I would not be where I am today. I am now a full-time employee, working at Vodafone on behalf Mitie. Supporting with the management of the building, I love my job, I have always wanted to get into facilities management and couldn’t be happier.
Personally, I am a happier person now, I can do more with my daughter now, she enjoys the monthly outing we have now and I can do more with her. I have my independence back and it makes me feel confident.
What advice would you give to someone who is considering taking part in the programme?
I would say do the program, especially if you have been out of work for a long period of time, it is more than worth it, it gives anyone the opportunity to get back into employment. You will feel supported every step of the way.
What now? What are your next steps?
I want to work with Mitie for a long time, progress, learn and grow. I see myself at Mitie for a long time. It has been eight months now and I’m looking forward to wherever it is I may end up. I am a Facilities Assistant now and I will work my way up to becoming a Facilities Manager.
“I can’t thank you guys enough for coming to the job centre that day seeing me and seeing something in me that I always knew was there, because of the Mitie Foundation program, I have started a career in facilities management – I always wanted to do property management and ending up getting even better.” Casmin
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.”
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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 salaried colleagues can use 10 hours of volunteering 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 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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Foundation Trustees
- Chair of Foundation Trustee, Kathryn Dolan
- Trustee, Rebecca Faulkiner
- Trustee, Mike Gibson
- Trustee, Nav Kalley
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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