Investment & Fund Management

K10 Apprenticeships Limited, a social enterprise based in the UK, addresses the pressing issue of youth unemployment in London, where 25 percent of young people are out of work, often lacking the necessary skills for meaningful careers. Simultaneously, the construction industry faces a significant skills gap due to an ageing workforce, creating a dual challenge that K10 effectively recognized and sought to remedy.

To tackle these issues, K10 offers apprenticeships to young, disadvantaged, and unemployed individuals, providing them with essential work experience and qualifications that enhance their employability. The program not only focuses on technical skills in various trades such as carpentry, plumbing, and electrical installation but also emphasizes the development of social and emotional skills, fostering greater ambition and optimism among apprentices. Notably, K10 has made strides in inclusivity, with 15 percent of its apprentices being women, 12 percent ex-offenders, and 10 percent individuals with disabilities, thereby broadening access to the construction industry for underrepresented groups.

K10 operates as an accredited Apprenticeship Training Agency, securing paid positions for apprentices with construction companies and developers throughout London. The organization has successfully exceeded its target of employing at least 100 apprentices annually for the past three years, demonstrating its impact and effectiveness. This growth has been supported by investments from Impact Ventures UK, an EIF-backed fund focused on scaling social enterprises, which has enabled K10 to expand its operations and continue making a positive difference in the community.