The London Boroughs of Camden and Westminster have successful economies, yet accessing employment opportunities for local residents, is often challenging. On our campuses we have a range of companies, with job vacancies, and to bridge the gap, we provide a two-week employment programme which aims to connect local people with local job opportunities. 

The Bright Lights Programme is British Land’s free employment and training initiative that connects businesses with diverse, skilled candidates and provides access to sustainable employment opportunities for local residents aged 18 and above at our Regent’s Place and Paddington Central campus.

The programme, in partnership with The Launch Group, takes candidates through a range of employability workshops to boost confidence, build key employability skills and ultimately help candidates secure sustainable employment. As well as desk-based training, the programme includes work placements and office insight days with our site team and service partners.

Over fifty candidates took part, and the programme is already delivering employment success stories:

1.  At Regent’s Place:

• 3 candidates joined the events team at Impact Hub 
• 4 candidates secured cleaning and security roles at Regent’s Place
• 1 candidate received a landscaping job off-site
• Additionally, several candidates are progressing to second-round interviews for Front of House positions on-site.

2.  At Paddington Central:

• 1 candidate secured a Compliance Officer role within a private bank
• 1 candidate secured a Front of House role on-site and started immediately
• Additionally, a third candidate is being considered for a landscaping role at Broadgate (Our campus at Liverpool Street).

A celebration event brought together members of British Land, The Launch Group, and candidates, alongside service partners, Bidvest Noonan, Jaguar Building Services, Principles Cleaning Services, Rapport Guest Services, CIS, JPC Portico, Q&S and Willerby Landscaping. The candidates reflected on their experiences, achievements, and the valuable skills they developed, by participating in the programme. Watch the video to hear some of the insights from both the businesses and candidates who participated.

Regent’s Place and Paddington Central’s owner, British Land, funded the programme as part of its ongoing commitment to make long-lasting, positive social impact in the communities in which it operates. 

‘Thriving Places’ is one of the key pillars of British Land’s Sustainability Strategy, ‘Greener Spaces, Thriving Places, Responsible Choices’ and focuses on three key areas: education, employment and affordable space. Investing in training professionals and connecting with local communities plays an essential role in the establishing responsible employment programmes.