Thames Valley: EY invests in young people to boost growth

Thames Valley companies must invest in providing job opportunities and skills development to young people in the region to help grow the region’s economy, according to Richard Baker, managing partner at EY in the Thames Valley.

The firm’s charity, The EY Foundation, recently launched its 2017 Smart Futures programme in Reading, in which 10 Year 12 students from around the region undertook three weeks’ paid business experience as part of the 10-month employability scheme.

The scheme, which also includes mentoring for the students throughout Year 13, is designed to promote social mobility, teach new skills, enhance employment prospects and give insight into a range of industries the students would not otherwise have been exposed to, including professional services.

Marguerita Martin, EY partner and sponsor for Reading’s Smart Futures programme, said: “I believe that giving young people access to a broader range of experiences is vital in helping the region to develop and retain the right skills to grow, and I’d urge companies to give their time to similar initiatives.”

Richard Baker said: “If the Thames Valley is to become truly globally competitive, businesses must promote their industries to young people and give their time to help them gain valuable experience. We need to give young people the skills to make the right decisions about their future careers, encourage different routes into employment, such as school leaver programmes, and, critically, open their eyes to a range of growth industries where they could develop their skills in the future.

On the three-week business experience part of the programme, which finished on August 11, the students worked with representatives from Reading and Thames Valley organisations, including EY, on a range of tasks aimed to develop their employment and business skills, and their understanding of various sectors. 100% of this year’s Smart Futures cohort said that they would get into the career of their choice because of Smart Futures.

Maryanne Matthews, chief executive of the EY Foundation, commented: “The work of the EY Foundation charity aims to make more young people in the region employable by collaborating with local businesses to reduce barriers to work through programmes like Smart Futures. Targeted employer engagement at the right moments in a young person’s life can be transformational; leading to major social and economic impact in the region.”