KFC is launching an inclusive U.K. members club dubbed The Kentucky Club, to help young people gain a fair shot at a first job, according to a press release.
The Kentucky Club will open at The Compund in Birmingham on Oct. 27 and will offer inspirational talks from YouTubers and educational development programming from U.K. Youth, Apprentice Nation, 4Skills and LADBible.
The club is free and available to those ages 16-24, with tickets available through EventBrite.
“At KFC we believe every young person who wants a job should be able to get one,” Meg Farren, general manager at KFC UK and Ireland, said in the press release. “After all, we’ve been the first job for thousands of people in the UK. But without the right connections, experience or even background, getting that first job can feel impossible for so many young people today. That’s why we’re opening the doors of our first ever members club with a twist.
“The Kentucky Club will offer the networking, mentoring, skills development and access to jobs and opportunities that you may get from traditional members clubs, but without the exclusivity or price tag! Through the Kentucky Club and our youth employability program ‘Hatch’ we want to give all young people a fair shot at a first job.”
The press release said Birmingham is the youngest city in Europe with those under 25 accounting for nearly 40% of the city’s population.
“There are thousands of young people across the UK without the opportunity, support or key skills needed to secure stable employment – the lingering effects of the pandemic and the ongoing cost of living crisis have only made the situation harder,” Ndidi Okezie, CEO at UK Youth said in the press release. “Government support and investment in young people is vital – but so is the partnership between youth work and businesses, if we want to help the next generation succeed. That’s why we are incredibly proud to be working with KFC on our Hatch employability program to help thousands of disadvantaged young people develop the confidence and skills they need to succeed.”
KFC operates more than 900 restaurants across the UK and Ireland.
