Blackburn & Darwen YZ welcomes world’s largest talent company to Patron Network

Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone is delighted to welcome Randstad UK&I, the world’s largest talent company, to its Patron Network – a group of forward-thinking businesses dedicated to raising aspirations and creating employment pathways for young people in Blackburn and Darwen.

Operating in 39 countries and placing hundreds of thousands of people into work each year, Randstad UK&I brings unparalleled global expertise in recruitment, skills development, and workforce planning. With this international reach, Randstad UK&I is investing locally to help equip young people in Blackburn and Darwen with the skills, opportunities, and confidence to thrive in the modern workplace.

This partnership directly supports Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone’s mission to empower its 5,000 members – aged 5–19 (and up to 25 for those with additional needs) – by providing the tools and experiences they need to succeed in life and work.

Leigh Culverwell, Client Solutions Director from Randstad UK&I, said: “As a global organisation with a passion for unlocking potential, Randstad is committed to investing in local communities like Blackburn with Darwen. Education is at the heart of this mission – whether that’s through our specialist recruitment and staffing solutions for schools and colleges, or our partnerships with more than 140 local authorities to support some of the most vulnerable children and young people.

“From one-to-one tuition and SEND support to SEMH interventions and ESOL programmes for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, our goal is to ensure every learner has the chance to thrive. Alongside this, our dedicated social care teams work with councils to strengthen looked-after children’s services, providing the consistency and safeguarding every child deserves. By joining the Youth Zone’s Patron Network, we are proud to bring our global expertise and local commitment together to help the next generation in Blackburn with Darwen build brighter futures.”

Thanks to the Youth Investment Fund (YIF) funding, the Youth Zone has recently launched its World of Work Centre – a state-of-the-art hub designed to connect young people directly with employers and prepare them for the future. 

The centre will:

• Deliver hands-on training and corporate workshops
  
• Offer one-to-one career coaching and CV support
  
• Provide real-life work experience opportunities
  
• Host networking sessions with local and national employers
  
• Build skills and confidence aligned to the needs of the modern workplace

Leon Crosby, CEO of Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone, said: “Our ambition is to raise aspirations, unlock potential, and prepare our young people to become the skilled workforce our community needs. Randstad’s global expertise in connecting people with opportunity will help us achieve exactly that – bridging the gap between aspiration and employment. Through the new world of work centre, it now encourages more businesses, both globally and locally to support Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone and become part of the patron network.”

With over £2.5 million in annual running costs, Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone relies on the commitment of its Patrons to continue delivering free membership, hot meals, and transformative programmes for young people.

If you are a school, college or multi-academy trust wanting to find out more about Randstad UK&I services, please contact [email protected]