EQ Foundation Announces Grant to Support Youth Employment Through Spear Programme

The EQ Foundation (charity registered in UK no. 1161209), the grant-making charitable arm of EQ Investors (EQ), has made a multi-year grant to the Resurgo Trust, the charity behind the award-winning Spear Programme.

The Spear Programme provides free pre-employment training for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds across eight centres in London, initially via a six week intensive course. Spear not only equips young people with the hard skills they need to find a job, including CV writing and interview training, but also challenges head-on the behavioural and attitudinal issues that can be a barrier to success.

John Spiers, Chief Executive at EQ, commented: “Spear has ambitious expansion plans for the years ahead and we are pleased to support a programme that can generate a positive social impact. In addition to our grant, we have also recruited a talented graduate of the programme and would welcome more in the future.”

Tom Jackson, Chief Executive at Resurgo Trust, said: “This grant from the EQ Foundation will make a significant contribution to the expansion of the Spear Programme and in equipping many more young people from disadvantaged backgrounds with the tools they need to succeed in the workplace.

“Over the past decade, Spear has worked with more than 3,500 young people. Of those who complete Spear, 75% not only get into employment or further training, but are also there a year later.”

The EQ Foundation supports organisations which focus on achieving positive social, economic and environmental outcomes and that aim to deliver long lasting benefits.