Since 2012, UK-based Bain Capital employees have supported ThinkForward, a groundbreaking early intervention program that supports vulnerable teens and ensures they stay in school and make a successful transition from education to employment. Bain Capital employees have volunteered hundreds of hours over the past three years to serve as mentors to teens from across the UK, and Bain Capital has provided work and apprenticeship opportunities to a number of students.
That strong relationship is continuing this year – in addition to offering an apprenticeship starting in the fall of 2016, Bain Capital UK employees will mentor a group of students from Bethnal Green Academy. Bain Capital volunteers will hold bi-weekly mentoring sessions at the Bain Capital offices in London, and will invite students to participate in "work experience weeks" throughout the summer.
The ThinkForward initiative was conceived by the non-profit Impetus – Private Equity Foundation, which works with disadvantaged young people who have been identified as being at risk of dropping out of school or becoming unemployed at graduation. Each enrolled young person receives one-on-one support from a school-based coach from the age of 14 to 19. As part of the support, each young person is also offered the opportunity to connect with a business mentor. Mentoring is a vital part of the plan to help participants to raise their grades in school, develop skills and build their self-confidence. Bain Capital is proud to be a part of this partnership.
