Wide-format print specialist MacroArt has partnered with non-profit Inspire 2 Ignite to help provide access to careers in the printing industry for young people who are not in employment, education or training.
The partnership aims to address societal challenges by providing access to career pathways in the print industry. Inspire 2 Ignite’s organic referral programme places young people in industries best suited to their interests and skill sets, while MacroArt will provide mentoring, workshops and guidance to individuals identified through the programme, aiming to enrich their experiences and pave the way for future success.
Inspire 2 Ignite was founded by Alex Hughes, who overcame personal struggles to provide a platform to support marginalised individuals. Using career fairs, the organisation hosts immersive ‘Curious Corners’ which engage young people through interactive elements such as DJ decks and thought-provoking activities. It was this approach which sparked MacroArt’s interest.
‘At MacroArt, we’ve always believed in nurturing talent and offering opportunities to young people,’ said Lee Garnett, continuous improvement manager. ‘Partnering with Inspire 2 Ignite was a natural fit for us, aligning with our commitment to support young people in our community and open doors to the print industry.’
Mr Hughes and Inspire 2 Ignite CEO Sam Squire will be attending MacroArt’s St Neots headquarters in January 2024 to talk to people across all levels of the business, including its early careers ambassador team. The goal is to inspire and recruit more ‘champions’ who share the business’s ethos and values, promoting a supportive environment for their growth. Inspire 2 Ignite currently has 27 champions, including three from MacroArt, across 22 partners in its network.
Mr Squire said, ‘We are extremely excited about Inspire 2 Ignite and MacroArt aligning. They work with some of the biggest brands in the world and have incredible humans who care in their team. I’ve had the privilege of listening to how their culture has helped young people excel from alternative pathways and I believe it’s an ideal organisation to organically refer young people from the community to.’
