OPERA was launched in September 2017, and works with the recruitment and staffing industry to tackle youth unemployment.

The collaboration will run for a minimum of five years and aims at getting more young people into work and staying in work.

OPERA chief executive Esther O’Callaghan says working with the REC is an important step towards fixing youth unemployment. 

“A strategic partnership between the largest trade body for the industry and the first recruitment-led youth foundation is a crucial step in harnessing our collective power to provide a meaningful and practical response to young people facing unemployment,” she says. 

All money raised by REC member agencies and donated by individual recruiters will go towards OPERA’s #thrivefund, which helps disadvantaged young people by providing a bursary of up to £500 to spend on work essentials. These can be basics such as clothes to wear to an interview, a travel card to get to work or the fees for a course, and the necessary tools and equipment to start a 
new role.
 
REC chief executive Kevin Green says the collaboration highlights important areas for the recruitment industry to focus on: “We chose to support OPERA and to recommend it to our members for two reasons. Firstly, its purpose and focus is helping young people furthest from the jobs market to get and stay in a job. This fits with our view that jobs transform lives. 

“Secondly, OPERA was started by recruiters for recruiters and we are always keen to leverage and amplify the great work our industry does in supporting good causes.”

REC members can make direct donations as a business, organise activities or get involved in OPERA events, such as the Recruitment Rowathon in March, the Three Peaks Challenge in summer or a bake-off competition in autumn. In addition, those who want to bring in their skills by volunteering can join the foundation.