Paradise Birmingham and
Ahead Partnership launch
transformative youth
engagement programme

Paradise Birmingham, one of the UK’s largest and most dynamic mixed-use city centre developments, is proud to announce a new five-year partnership with Ahead Partnership.

It joins other MEPC developments in Leeds, Oxfordshire, and Northamptonshire in making a long-term commitment to working with the national social value specialist to deliver impactful, community-driven programmes for young people.

The new programme focuses on driving collaboration between almost 500 young people and businesses based at Paradise, to provide students with tailored experiences that improve skills, confidence, and career awareness, while addressing sector-specific skills gaps and helping to foster greater inclusion within the workforce.

Bringing together volunteers from a diverse range of businesses across the Paradise community, including professional and financial services organisations, environmental and built environment consultants, and hospitality venues, it is expected this programme will play a key role in offering an insight into the wide range of career paths and opportunities available to them at Paradise and beyond.

Paradise Birmingham is the £1.2 billion redevelopment of the very heart of the city, creating new pedestrian links across the city centre and bringing eight new landmark buildings with new jobs, skills and opportunities to people across Birmingham and the West Midlands.

Through sustained partnerships with four local schools, the initiative will engage young people at four key educational stages from year eight to year eleven, with future plans also including post-16 level engagement.

This long-term strategy will establish lasting relationships with the development team and the businesses across the development. Each interaction will build on the previous one, equipping students with the skills and knowledge to make informed choices about their future.

Ross Fittall, Commercial Development Director at Paradise developer and asset-manager, MEPC, said:

“This multi-year engagement strategy is about more than just careers. It’s about building confidence in local young people, breaking down barriers, and fostering a future workforce that reflects the diversity of Birmingham’s communities.

“It’s fantastic to see the Paradise business community coming together and joining our fellow MEPC estates across the country in driving forward this important initiative with Ahead Partnership. Already helping to shape the future talent pipeline and support the local business ecosystem and our wider communities, this initiative is a key part of our approach to community building, which is what Paradise is all about.”

Leonie Matthews, Programme Manager at Ahead Partnership, said:

“By creating multiple touchpoints throughout students’ education, this programme ensures meaningful, lasting impact. Research shows that young people who receive multiple engagements with employers during the course of their education are up to 86% less likely to be out of education, employment or training once they finish school.

“This programme goes beyond opening doors, it’s about giving young people the tools and support they need to go into their future education and careers with purpose.

“With MEPC’s track record of delivering meaningful, lasting social value across its existing estates, we’re confident that our work together at Paradise Birmingham will continue to solidify our commitment to community engagement and addressing workforce challenges.”

To find out more about Paradise, please visit: https://www.paradisebirmingham.co.uk/.

To find out more about Ahead Partnership, please visit: https://www.aheadpartnership.org.uk/.