Careers day gives students keys to City

In response to the need for greater careers experience and skills development amongst graduates, businesses are reacting to the need to get involved at earlier stages to guide young people with their future career choices.

At the ìCareers in the Cityî day held on December 12 employees from companies including Pricewaterhouse Coopers and Lloyds of London gave career advice to 80 students from 29 schools across the south, south-east and central England.

Held at the Cass Business School and organised by The Inspiring Futures Foundation, the event provided students with valuable insight into careers in banking and finance.

Students from Worth School in Turners Hill, West Sussex, attended the day including James Shepherd, George Calvert and Nicholas Travers pictured with William King.

Speakers at the event included HR specialist Andy Jackson from Fitch Ratings, Sadie Leeds from Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Martin Leach from Lloyds of London, former commodities trader William King and banking and corporate management specialist Ed Harris.

Employers often complain that young workers enter employment without sufficient work related skills and research recently conducted by the Inspiring Futures Foundation found the reality is that young people are themselves demanding more help in this area.

Richard Scott Clark, Partnership Manager from The Inspiring Futures Foundation, said:

ìEducating young people about what they need to succeed in their chosen profession is beneficial not only to them but also to business. We often hear businesses complaining graduates arenít equipped with the skills they need to go into the workforce but we believe the best way to correct this is at the earliest possible stage and businesses need to play an active role. Organizations know what skills they need and it really helps if they communicate it early to their target audience.î

William King spoke at the event about his experience working in international trading and commodities and commented:

ìI have spoken at a number of Inspiring Futuresí events in the past and, like the one today, thoroughly enjoyed it. The pupils have been keen to learn and were a good audience to speak to. I hope imparting a little of my experience will help create inspired and informed decisions when they choose their future careers. Unless young people get first-hand experience of the industry they are considering and the skills required, it is very difficult to know whether they are suited to it.î

The Inspiring Futures Foundation provides careers guidance and skills development training to young people in the maintained and independent sector to help them make informed career and higher education decisions and develop key employability skills. As part of this offering, the organisation hosts tailored workshops and activities to provide in-depth insight into specific sectors and works with business partners to deliver valuable insight into the workplace.

The Inspiring Futures Foundation is keen to add other industry experts to the courses they offer to schools and students. If your organisation is interested in being involved with students at this crucial stage please contact Richard Scott-Clark on 01276 687514 or Viki Elliot-King on 01276 687510.