Pearson partners with Goodwall

Geneva, 20 August 2020: Social enterprise and community app Goodwall has launched BetterTogether, an inclusive, online program that leverages technology and global partner networks to help over 10 million young people and adults in 150 countries navigate the pandemic-stricken job market and positively impacts society, in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  

Learn more about BetterTogether

Created with a host of international, multi-sector partners and collaborators such as global learning company Pearson, global online employment solution Monster, and online learning pioneer Walden University, BetterTogether by Goodwall meets an urgent need for expanded education, training and employment opportunities for young people and opens up a world of entrepreneurial thinking, university placements, bursaries and funding opportunities.  

It is estimated that, as a result of COVID-19, 42% of youths are at risk of losing their job* and 35% of internships** have been cancelled in 2020, meaning that young people and adults are finding themselves with limited opportunities and facing the prospect of long-lasting challenges to starting and progressing within their careers. Created as a direct response to the challenging economic environment, BetterTogether sees Goodwall stepping up in recognition of its responsibility to prepare young talent for the future of work. 

Jayathma Wickramanayake, the U.N. Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth, says

"The COVID-19 pandemic made our lives pretty complicated. So many people have lost their jobs, and access to schools and quality education. The BetterTogether program is a great opportunity to learn new skills, network on a global scale and gather experience that will help young people find new jobs and new opportunities."

Running from 1 August - 18 September 2020, Goodwall’s BetterTogether program is made up of inspiring challenges, top speakers and community content hosted on the app, alongside the chance to win awards, scholarships and discover professional opportunities with big name organisations. 

A series of ten, five minute long challenges in total will run twice weekly and are uniquely designed to tap into Gen Z and Millennial’s motivation to better themselves, whilst also bettering the world and raising awareness of global issues:

• the first five challenges are focused on personal development including goal setting, recognising achievement, building up resilience and female empowerment. 
• the second set of tasks are centered around sustainability, equality & justice, in solidarity with the #BlackLivesMatter movement and pitching entrepreneurial projects. 

Participants submit their response to each challenge via a short video and on completion receive a digital certificate.  

Learners who take part in the 5-week BetterTogether programme will gain exclusive access to the Resilience and Managing Personal and Professional Development modules of Pearson’s Workplace Behaviours Learning Programme, which is available on Pearson’s new digital learning platform, Pearson Learning Hub. Pearson Learning Hub aims to provides learners worldwide, with accessible, bite-size, interactive, learning resources and a personalised learning experience to help them develop the career-focused and employability skills that they need during these unprecedented times. 
 
In line with these themes a diverse set of speakers, ranging from CEOs to professors, will offer advice and insight to the community at every stage. These include:

• Cindy Rampersaud, SVP - BTEC and Apprenticeships at Pearson UK, recognized on the EMpower Top 100 list of executives for her mentoring and sponsorship of BAME talent
• Shrey Patel, actress and award-winning filmmaker
• Professor Francois Grey, Director of the Geneva Tsinghua Initiative, the first comprehensive education program that addresses the SDGs in a practical hands-on way. 

To support program participants further and provide a gateway to new opportunities, Goodwall are also offering prizes to the winner of each challenge. These range from coveted academic scholarships, learning programmes and incubator initiatives to monetary rewards and donations to accredited non-profits of the winner’s choosing. Three winners of BetterTogether’s final challenge ‘Pitch your project’ will also be eligible for funding to help make their entrepreneurial dream venture a reality. 
 
Cindy Rampersaud, SVP - BTEC and Apprenticeships at Pearson UK said

“We are excited about our partnership with Goodwall on the BetterTogether Programme. At Pearson, our mission is to help people make progress in their lives through learning. As the world’s learning company, we are well-positioned to support young people and adults to progress in their lives and careers with our suite of career-focused, skill-based qualifications and courses”.

Get involved and register for BetterTogether now by downloading the Goodwall app (iOS and Android), or visiting www.goodwall.io/bettertogether/pearson/ .