J.P. Morgan, with Good Things Foundation, today launch Power Up, a pioneering £1.3 million initiative to help people, business and communities to participate by helping people in underserved communities build the digital skills that they need to qualify for in-demand jobs. East London is one of four areas identified for support.
Good Things Foundation – a social change charity, and sector-leader in digital inclusion for socially excluded groups – will deliver the new Power Up initiative.
Despite widespread internet access, there is a deep divide between those who have the digital skills and confidence to benefit fully, and those who do not. The latest ONS report shows that 7% of Londoners are ‘internet non-users’.1 Of people with zero digital skills nationally, 46% earn less than £17,499 a year.2 People with basic digital skills can expect a lifetime increase of their average earnings of 2.8%.3
Across London and the wider UK, governments, corporates, community organisations and charities are working to close the digital divide. Power Up is an exciting new contribution, that will support and motivate people to apply digital skills in their lives or businesses, and will use digital inclusion to catalyse collaboration locally.
Areas of East London have high rates of poverty and deprivation. Research by Good Things Foundation identified opportunities to embed digital skills more fully in financial capability support, and in employability services – including for those in low-paid work.
The Power Up initiative is looking for applicants who want to rise to this challenge. Applicants will already be experts in providing community-based, person-centred support to people on low incomes; or in providing support to small businesses. They will be looking for opportunities to transform their offer so that digital skills are embedded more fully; or to extend their offer, where they have a proven track record of embedding digital skills in their support. Good Things Foundation and J.P. Morgan will be holding an event in East London to celebrate the launch on Tuesday 2nd July; this will also be an opportunity for potential applicants to find out more.
As well as East London, Power Up will support activity in Bournemouth, Edinburgh and Glasgow, all of which are local to J.P. Morgan’s largest UK operations. In all of these locations the firm’s employees will invest their time and talents in supporting the community organisations who are delivering digital skills training to those who can most benefit from it. Organisations and partnerships interested in applying to Power Up should go to www.power-up.org.uk
