On Thursday December 8th, London’s Dominion theatre and some of city’s biggest businesses will welcome more than 1,300 students from over 200 schools around the UK for A Capital Experience- the largest employer-led career event of its kind.
A Capital Experience is run by Career Ready, a national charity which connects schools and colleges with employers in a bid to ready disadvantaged students for the professional world.
On the day, over sixty employers will open their doors to the students. Companies hosting the children include; Barclays, Chelsea FC, Morgan Stanley, Royal Mail and PwC. Students will immerse themselves in some of the city’s top businesses, meeting employees and learning more about the various career paths they can undertake.
The event comes at a pivotal time for London following the UK’s decision to leave the European Union, which has left the City in a state of uncertainty as to its global standing and attractiveness to young talent. Chief Executive of Career Ready and Former Managing Editor of the Times, Anne Spackman, added, “Businesses need and want to recruit young people, Brexit has only added to this demand. A Capital Experience gives businesses the opportunity to showcase the very best of London to the next generation of talent”.
Recognising the fresh perspectives the students can offer, Santander, one of the biggest supporters and funders of the Career Ready, will be hosting 60 students as part of A Capital Experience. Keith Moor, Chief Marketing Officer at Santander, said: “We have been working in partnership with Career Ready for over 5 years, enabling us to ensure young people have the opportunities and knowledge they need to realise their potential and embark on their chosen careers.”
A recent report from PricewaterhouseCoopers found that London looks set to retain its status as the leading global city of opportunity, boding well for its ability to with-stand a hard Brexit[1]. Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, is very much aligned with this vision and recently launched the “#LondonIsOpen” campaign to show that London is united and open for business. It is in this spirit that the students will descend on London, eager to hear about the many opportunities presented by the city.
Costain, one of the UK’s leading engineering solution providers, is keen to inspire young people to get involved in the engineering sector as it continues to thrive. Angelika Chraska-Pongo, Senior Community Relations Manager at Costain, added: “Access to major infrastructure projects is always challenging for young people and it is therefore always pleasing to welcome students from across the UK as part of A Capital Experience to our London projects.”
Career Ready offers a structured programme for 16-19 year olds which is delivered in schools and colleges and runs alongside academic studies. The programme is designed to equip students with the vital skills, experience, and confidence they need to succeed in the professional world. Over the course of the 2 year programme students are matched with a professional mentor, receive introductory lectures from partner employers and complete a 4-6 week paid work placement.
Former Career Ready Student and 2016 winner of the Student of the Year, Megan Harrington said: “Without Career Ready I would have come to the end of college with no real ambitions or motivation and certainly wouldn’t have considered moving away from home. I now have a clear direction and am confident pursuing my career ambitions and have since moved to London and started a law degree at the University of Greenwich.
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