As part of our commitment to inclusivity and diversity, we’re proud to be taking part in #10000BlackInterns. In this article, we explain more about the programme and our involvement in it.
Helping to transform the horizons and prospects of young black people in the UK, by offering paid work experience, world-class training and development, #10000BlackInterns seeks to provide 2,000 internships each year for 5 consecutive years.
As an equal opportunities employer, it’s important that we reflect the diversity of the customers and communities we serve. We aim to be an employer of choice for all people, regardless of age, gender, race, religion, sexuality or disability.
Being part of #10000BlackInterns allows us to diversify our talent, bringing new voices and perspectives to the Victoria Plum family. We’re proud to be at the forefront of improving workplace representation, providing opportunities to individuals who might otherwise face barriers.
All internships here at Victoria Plum are fully paid—we have never believed in asking people to work for free to “gain experience” or “impress us”. If you’re interested in learning more, head to the #10000BlackInterns website.
Meet our new colleagues
We asked our new interns, Essivi, Tomi and Osabouhien, to tell us a little more about themselves, their hopes for the future and explain what #10000BlackInterns has meant for them.
“My name is Essivi Kossi and I just graduated from Loughborough University in Politics and International Relations.”
“Despite my degree, I have always looked for opportunities in different sectors so that I can learn new skills, expand my world view and meet people from different backgrounds. I wanted to develop my admin and people skills, so I applied for HR internships through the #10000BlackInterns programme because they bridge the gap by helping young black people get opportunities which they wouldn’t usually have access to or be chosen for.”
“I was sure that, through the programme, I would get a good internship with a good company. By working at Victoria Plum, I hope to gain new HR/admin skills and knowledge, gain knowledge of the bathroom/retail sector and make long-lasting connections. I hope to contribute positively to the company by supporting the HR team and successfully completing the various projects that have been assigned to me. Although I am pursuing a career in Law/Politics, I am open to what the future brings.”
“Hi. I am Tomi Adegun and I am a Design and Installation intern at Victoria Plum.”
“I have just finished my first year of Biochemistry at Swansea University. I chose to intern at Victoria Plum because I really liked the friendly atmosphere that I witnessed and I have always had a creative interest in helping people achieve their goals.”
“Hopefully, by the end of the internship, I will have built up my self-confidence as I can often be a bit shy in new experiences, and will have gained an insight into how large projects are ran in a team so that there is maximum efficiency and achievement.”
“I am not too sure what I want to do in the future just yet, but I have no doubt that my experience gained at Victoria Plum during this internship will help me decide.”
"My name is Osabouhien Ogbebor. I have just completed my master’s degree in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence at the University of Liverpool."
"I applied for the #10000BlackInterns programme because it gave me the opportunity to apply my skillset in different industries, while gaining domain knowledge. As an IT Infrastructure intern at Victoria Plum, I look forward to learning about IT architectures and the roles played in business strategy, especially in the e-commerce space."
"Following my internship, I look forward to building my career around providing secure, data-driven solutions for businesses as an IT professional."
Find out more about careers at Victoria Plum
If you’re interested in a career or even a work placement with Victoria Plum, head to our Careers page for more information.
And, why’ll you’re at it, find how we’re building more than just bathrooms, with the many positive initiatives we’ve begun and the recognition we’ve received.