How can working in the built environment make an impact on London's communities? What's it like to start a career in housing, planning or regeneration?

In our first interview with members of our inaugural Emerging Talent Programme cohort, Bébert Longi and Khuzaymah Pathan discuss why they applied for the programme, why this kind of project is important, and what they've learned so far with Candice Stanton.

At the time of recording, Bébert and Khuzaymah are on their first placements at Quod and Sanctuary Housing respectively.

About the Emerging Talent Programme

Launched in January 2022, this innovative programme aims to address the lack of ethnic diversity in the Built Environment sector in London.

We've recruited a talented cohort of candidates – all from ethnic minority backgrounds – keen to launch their careers in housing, regeneration, urban and economic development and infrastructure.

The cohort are on a 21-month programme, which consists of three placements into host organisations working across different sectors in the field. Following their induction at the end of January, the cohort are now all in their first placements across fourteen host organisations, including London borough council housing and regeneration teams, central government, regional government, housing associations and private sector developers and consultancies.

Find out more here.