A digital marketing expert is urging employers to invest in young people after strengthening his own team with two new appointments.
Jag Panesar, founder and director at Yorkshire-based digital marketing agency Xpand, said it was now more important than ever to give young people a chance.
The thirteen-year-old digital agency has appointed a digital marketer and a web and marketing administrator, both of whom are just starting out in their careers.
Jag said: “I’m a big believer in giving young people an opportunity to help them thrive and succeed and that’s more important now than ever as we emerge from the Coronavirus pandemic.
“Young people’s education, employment and life chances have been severely impacted over the last year and employers need to do all they can to help.”
Digital marketer Charlotte Borwell 23, from Ilkley, joins the company straight from Sheffield Hallam university with a 1st in Business and Marketing.
Charlotte will work on market research projects, strategy creation and social media campaigns.
Faaiza Sajad, 19 from Bradford, proved herself invaluable on work experience last year.
Jag was so impressed he offered Faaiza a part-time role during the latest Covid-19 lockdown.
Faaiza is currently studying Computer Sciences at Bradford University and will work one day a week for Saltaire-based Xpand as web and marketing administrator.
Jag is passionate about helping young people and recently became a mentoring expert at Northern Max Accelerator, an organisation for pre-start or new-start businesses with growth aspirations.
He also joined the board of the Careers Technical Education Partnership, a body which brings industry experts and educational providers together to help young people acquire the skills and experience they need.
Jag added: “I’d like to welcome both Charlotte and Faaiza to the Xpand team. Both were impressive and enthusiastic candidates, and we want to help them learn and develop and go on to great things in their careers.”
Offering work experience and placements is one-way companies can help young people on their career journey and Jag added: “Faaiza came to us on work experience and quickly made herself part of the team and impressed us with her positive attitude and strong work ethic.
“We recognised the great potential she has and by giving her this role we can support her during her studies and help her learn and grow in a real work environment.”
Xpand, founded in 2007, has a strong team of creative, friendly and results-focused professionals who believe in challenge for positive results. It now employs six full time people and a number of contractors.
Jag comes from a family of entrepreneurs inspired by his grandfather Parkash Singh Panesar who left India in the 1960s and built a new future for his family. The sons and grandchildren of Parkash now run businesses which employ hundreds of people.
Appointing the new team members supports his mission to make his mark on the world and continue his family’s legacy.
mage: L to R: Charlotte, Jag, Faiza
