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The Unloc Changemaker Alliance, an ambitious initiative dedicated to levelling the playing field for young people from deprived communities by providing them with skills, training and opportunities, has announced that Juniper Networks, a leader in secure, AI-driven networks, has joined the Alliance.
Juniper will be joining a growing collection of existing Alliance members, who are business leaders with a commitment to driving social value in a wide range of industry sectors including education, fashion, communications and manufacturing.
By joining organisations including Burberry, Verizon Business and Palo Alto Networks, Juniper is supporting Unloc’s work in schools, colleges and communities across the UK.
A key component of this activity is leveraging the talents, expertise and experiences of Juniper employees who will volunteer as speakers and mentors to help young people from underserved communities to develop life skills and explore the wide range of career pathways available to them.
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Gos Hein van de Wouw, Vice President Enterprise, EMEA, Juniper Networks said:
“Juniper has a long-established track record of using our technology and business know-how to support the development and advancement of those most in need in communities worldwide, especially the young and with an eye on the workforce of the future. Therefore, it is a great pleasure for Juniper to become part of the Unloc Changemaker Alliance, enabling our UK workforce to engage with and help young people to acquire business skills, self-esteem and a sense of their own worth. It is also a great opportunity to build strong synergies with existing partners like Verizon Business.”
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Hayden Taylor, Unloc’s Managing Director said:
“We are so excited to welcome Juniper Networks to the Unloc Changemakers Alliance. The Alliance is a unique forward thinking and proactive collective of businesses investing in the potential of young people and I know the Juniper Networks team will add immense value. Today’s school and college students are tomorrow’s workforce, and our alliance allows us to deliver programmes and support to disadvantaged young people around the country. I’m particularly excited by the prospect of working with Juniper employees as speakers and mentors in our school and college programmes, helping us to improve young people’s skills, driving their ambition and broadening their career potential.”
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Sanjiv Gossain, fellow Alliance member Verizon’s Head of EMEA said:
“We welcome Juniper Networks joining the Changemaker Alliance. It is an important new chapter of the program and a testament to the strength of our partnership. We are looking forward to working alongside the team at Juniper and the wider network to help young people reach their potential, regardless of background.”
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With growing momentum surrounding the Unloc Changemaker Alliance, the future looks bright both for the initiative and its impact – but most importantly for the young people and the lives and economy that will benefit from this vital investment in the futures of young people.
For more information about the Unloc Changemaker Alliance, or to watch our short video about this exciting new union of businesses simply visit: unloc.org.uk/alliance
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Notes for Journalists
About Unloc & the Changemaker Alliance
Unloc was founded in 2013 by award-winning young leaders Hayden Taylor and Ben Dowling. The organisation’s mission is to empower young people to be innovative changemakers who seek to build stronger communities and sustainable businesses. The organisation is focused on developing young people’s skills, enhancing their potential and boosting their determination to succeed. Unloc works towards achieving its mission by delivering inspiring educational programmes to over 20,000 young people each year, including on entrepreneurship and self-employment, in our network of 250+ schools and colleges in the UK and beyond.
The Unloc Changemaker Alliance is a growing network of leading businesses who share our vision of supporting every young person to achieve their true potential. By working together, we are widening access to Unloc’s educational programmes for schools and colleges from disadvantaged communities, supporting young people with micro-grants to set up a new business or community project, engaging employees to volunteer in our community programmes and bringing like-minded businesses together to create change.
To find out more about Unloc and all our latest news visit: unloc.org.uk/news
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About the members of the Unloc Changemaker Alliance
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Juniper Networks
Juniper Networks is dedicated to dramatically simplifying network operations and driving superior experiences for end users. Our solutions deliver industry-leading insight, automation, security and AI to drive real business results. We believe that powering connections will bring us closer together while empowering us all to solve the world’s greatest challenges of well-being, sustainability and equality.
Additional information can be found at Juniper Networks (www.juniper.net) or connect with Juniper on X (Twitter), LinkedIn and Facebook.
Juniper Networks, the Juniper Networks logo, Juniper, Junos, and other trademarks listed here are registered trademarks of Juniper Networks, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United States and other countries. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
Palo Alto Networks
Palo Alto Networks is the world’s cybersecurity leader. We innovate to outpace cyberthreats, so organizations can embrace technology with confidence. We provide next-gen cybersecurity to thousands of customers globally, across all sectors. Our best-in-class cybersecurity platforms and services are backed by industry-leading threat intelligence and strengthened by state-of-the-art automation.
Whether deploying our products to enable the Zero Trust Enterprise, responding to a security incident, or partnering to deliver better security outcomes through a world-class partner ecosystem, we’re committed to helping ensure each day is safer than the one before. It’s what
makes us the cybersecurity partner of choice.
Verizon
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) was formed on June 30, 2000 and is one of the world’s leading providers of technology and communications services. Headquartered in New York City and with a presence around the world, Verizon generated revenues of $133.6 billion in 2021. The company offers data, video and voice services and solutions on its award-winning networks and platforms, delivering on customers’ demand for mobility, reliable network connectivity, security and control.
VERIZON’S ONLINE MEDIA CENTER: News releases, stories, media contacts and other resources are available at verizon.com/news.
News releases are also available through an RSS feed. To subscribe, visit www.verizon.com/about/rss-feeds/.
Burberry
● Burberry is a global luxury brand headquartered in London, UK.
● Founded in 1856, Burberry is listed on the London Stock Exchange (BRBY.L) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index.
● BURBERRY, the Equestrian Knight Device, the Burberry Check and the Thomas Burberry Monogram and Print are trademarks belonging to Burberry.
● For more news: www.burberryplc.com
GRP Solutions LTD
GRP Solutions Ltd is the UK’s leading provider to the Glass reinforced plastics industry. A highly experienced team of composite experts, dedicated to setting the standard in composite distribution. Working with world class suppliers the company prides itself in offering the very best solutions and service to customers.
Growing from strength to strength, GRP Solutions provides customers across every sector of the UK with the most comprehensive range of composite solutions and services.
Further information can be found at: www.grp-solutions.com
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Unloc, Burberry, Verizon Business and GRP Solutions have joined forces to launch a new initiative to level up the lives of young people and change the game for tomorrow’s young workforce. The Unloc Changemaker Alliance will bring together leading business organisations who believe in creating a positive impact on the lives of young people in society, even the playing field for those from disadvantaged backgrounds, and develop their skills and potential as future employees.
Multiple factors lie at the heart of the issue. Simply put, opportunity is not meeting talent when it comes to underrepresented communities in the workplace, and young people are not being given opportunities to forge a path and have their voices heard.
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Social enterprise Unloc has joined forcing with global communications giant Verizon Business, international luxury fashion brand Burberry, and leading composite manufacturer GRP Solutions to address these issues, forming the Changemaker Alliance.
This collective of forward-thinking businesses all possess a commitment to developing the potential of young people, and ensuring they have access to the skills, the knowledge, support and guidance to excel in their futures, creating positive impact on the employability and trailblazing the way for their peers.
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Through the Alliance partnership they will work with schools, colleges and young people to develop the skills and career pathways that have a tangible impact on young minds and future aspirations.
The Changemaker Alliance provides them with an avenue to bring these ideas to fruition, and will provide funding for programmes which promote inclusion and diversity, social action, empowerment, and level the playing field for young people from all economic backgrounds and communities.
It can be especially difficult for young people starting out on their career path to secure funding or finance to begin their potential business or entrepreneurial ideas.
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To tackle this the Changemaker Alliance will enable 16 to 25 year olds to apply for small seed funding grants of up to £1,000 to trial their entrepreneurial ventures, community projects or social enterprise ideas. These grants are designed to give young people a chance to test their idea and get it off the ground, whilst creating a positive impact in the wider community.
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Hayden Taylor, Unloc’s Managing Director said:
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“We are thrilled to launch the Unloc Changemakers Alliance, and simply couldn’t ask for better founding partners than Verizon and Burberry. Their work with Unloc in the past has allowed us to take programmes and support out to disadvantaged young people in the community, and provide programmes on global issues such as sustainability, inclusion, racial justice, diversity and women in the technology sector.”
“United we understand the importance and social value to the future economy when we look at young people. Today’s school pupils and college students are the future customers and workforce. Collectively with the Changemakers Alliance we can help young people realise their full , whether that’s through mentoring, support, skills development, or financial funding support. We’re so excited to make a difference to their future career journeys.”
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Mark Turner, Business Relationship Director, Burberry said:
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“We are honoured to be a founding partner of the Unloc Changemaker Alliance. We’re looking forward to continuing the amazing work we’ve started in partnership with the organisations to date. Supporting the next generation and making a lasting positive change is important to us, and we know there’s so much more we can do.”
“Through the Alliance, we have a unique opportunity to work alongside like-minded companies, supporting young people and helping them reach their potential.”
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Xavier White, Head of UK&I Marketing and EMEA Social Purpose said:
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“We are delighted to be a founding member of Unloc’s ChangeMaker Alliance and this new grant making program. For the past few years, Verizon have been working with Unloc to hold the annual Young Entrepreneurs Challenge, a competition for those aged 16-25 to win funding to scale up their tech-related startup idea. However, we’re aware that there’s a certain amount of privilege in having access to the first few hundred pounds required to bring such an idea to life.”
“This led to the idea of a test-and-learn grant: the new ChangeMaker Alliance Grants. We are delighted to be working alongside Unloc, Burberry and GRP Solutions to bring this to life and even the playing field for young people and provide them with access to funding, training and new opportunities.”
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GRP Solutions Director of People, Culture and Community, Michele Harpur said:
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“Supporting the Change makers of tomorrow is a team effort and we are honoured and delighted to be working with such leading organisations to create positive change through the Changemakers Alliance.”
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As the Changemaker Alliance grows the members hope that other leading businesses will join them to grow the Alliance network and it’s reach, ensuring more and more young people across the UK have access to the training and support which will allow them to take a bolder first step into the employment market.”
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Interested in your organisation becoming a part of the Unloc Changemaker Alliance? Click here
About the members of the Unloc Changemaker Alliance
About Unloc & Changemaker Studios
Unloc was founded in 2013 by award-winning young leaders Hayden Taylor and Ben Dowling. The organisation’s mission is to empower young people to be innovative changemakers who seek to build stronger communities and sustainable businesses.
The organisation is focused on developing young people’s skills, enhancing their potential and boosting their determination to succeed. Unloc works towards achieving its mission by delivering inspiring educational programmes, including on entrepreneurship and self-employment, in our network of 100+ schools and colleges in the UK and beyond.
Get the latest from Unloc with our Digital Update. Click here to subscribe!
About Burberry
● Burberry is a global luxury brand headquartered in London, UK.
● Founded in 1856, Burberry is listed on the London Stock Exchange (BRBY.L) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index.
● BURBERRY, the Equestrian Knight Device, the Burberry Check and the Thomas Burberry Monogram and Print are trademarks belonging to Burberry.
● For more news: www.burberryplc.com
About Verizon
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) was formed on June 30, 2000 and is one of the world’s leading providers of technology and communications services. Headquartered in New York City and with a presence around the world, Verizon generated revenues of $133.6 billion in 2021.
The company offers data, video and voice services and solutions on its award-winning networks and platforms, delivering on customers’ demand for mobility, reliable network connectivity, security and control.
VERIZON’S ONLINE MEDIA CENTER: News releases, stories, media contacts and other resources are available at verizon.com/news.
News releases are also available through an RSS feed. To subscribe, visit www.verizon.com/about/rss-feeds/.
About GRP Solutions LTD
GRP Solutions Ltd is the UK’s leading provider to the Glass reinforced plastics industry. A highly experienced team of composite experts, dedicated to setting the standard in composite distribution. Working with world class suppliers the company prides itself in offering the very best solutions and service to customers.
Growing from strength to strength, GRP Solutions provides customers across every sector of the UK with the most comprehensive range of composite solutions and services.
Further information can be found at: www.grp-solutions.com
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