Career Accelerator focused on Innovation
and the Future of Work
A capacity building program for ambitious women with migration backgrounds looking to cultivate meaningful and sustainable careers
Career Accelerator focused on Innovation
and the Future of Work
A capacity building program for ambitious women with migration backgrounds looking to cultivate meaningful and sustainable careers.
Fast Forward is a Career Accelerator fellowship based in Paris, designed specifically for professional women with migration backgrounds. Fast Forward will help fast-track your career, whether through entrepreneurship, employment, or a combination of both. We offer in-person workshops that cultivate essential skills for dynamic careers, regular access to networking opportunities within the vibrant Paris innovation ecosystem, and personalised guidance through monthly calls with a dedicated coach.
*Fast Forward combines the European project UP Collective within the French innovation ecosystem*
How does it work?
Over 6 months, you will develop a well-rounded skill set that future-proofs you for the ever-evolving world of work. Alongside 30 other like-minded women, you will receive:
- Regular in-person group learning experiences
- Access to a variety of online materials and resources
- Opportunities to develop an innovative project (entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial)
- Personalised guidance through monthly calls with a dedicated coach
- Opportunities to grow your network in a vibrant innovation ecosystem
- A global community of peers who can offer you support, connections, and friendships for a lifetime
An average commitment of 12 hours per month is necessary for the program. It is compatible with candidates who have full time obligations.
Boosted Entrepreneurial and Leadership Skills
Acquired Professional Codes for France
Articulated Career Goals with an Actionable Roadmap to achieve them
Established Network with Professional Contacts
Is Fast Forward the right program for you?
Are you:
- Seeking to start innovative projects and find meaningful employment?
- Self-motivated and eager to achieve your career goals?
- Ready to acquire skills that will accelerate your career in innovation?
Do you:
- Have a recent experience of migration (refugee, asylum seeker, international student, economic migrant, etc.)?
- Live in Ile-de-France?
- Identify as a woman?
Send an email to business@place-network.org if you are interested in joining the next cohort.
Do you want to nominate someone for the fellowship?
If you know someone who would be a great fit, nominate them we will reach out to them for the next edition!
Do you have experience as a coach?
Are you looking to support ambitious women to achieve their career goals? Are you looking to expand and diversify your coaching experiences?
Why do we need Fast Forward?
Not only are global entrepreneurs expected to grow by 15% in 2024, but we are also seeing a higher demand for entrepreneurial profiles within companies, and increased innovative internal practices. People with lived experiences of migration are inherently a great fit for this trend – bringing new ideas and innovative solutions with a high propensity for risk-taking.
However, in Europe, women with migration backgrounds are often faced with a ‘double disadvantage’, of discrimination due to both their gender and birthplace. This causes significantly higher rates of unemployment compared to men with migration backgrounds and non-migrant women. By adopting a combined approach to career skills development, women with migration backgrounds can dramatically increase their chances of finding meaningful employment.
Fast Forward provides the necessary tools to cultivate both entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial profiles. Participants are encouraged to adapt and thrive in an ever-evolving dynamic job market and fast-track their careers in innovation.
PLACE Network unlocks the innovative potential of migration, amplifying a sustainable future where all talent is valued.
Inclusion of newcomer women in the workforce is also a game-changer for the corporate sector:
racially and ethnically diverse companies outperform industry norms by 35%
inclusive organizations are
1.7 times more likely to be innovation leaders in their market
organizations with diverse teams are 158% more likely to better design solutions for diverse groups
Join the movement to unlock newcomer talent with Fast Forward!
Does your company believe in the value of investing in diverse talent to build more resilient economies? Contact us and let’s see how together, we can enable high-potential profiles with refugees or migrant backgrounds to develop highly employable skills.
