Young people interested in a career in law have the chance to gain careers insight and work experience at a leading legal firm under a programme designed to improve social mobility. The national education charity Future First has partnered with Taylor Wessing to offer a programme for 80 sixth form students from London schools which will improve their aspiration and confidence and boost their job readiness and employability.
The students joined Taylor Wessing staff for insight days designed to inform them about what to expect from a career in law and the skills needed to succeed in it. Those who showed ability were linked with a Taylor Wessing mentor who worked with them more closely over three months. Students who impress on the mentoring scheme will now progress onto Taylor Wessing’s Tomorrow’s Talent programme which provides students with meaningful work experience, client insight and support to apply for education or employment opportunities in future.
Future First’s programme aims to provide Taylor Wessing with a diverse pipeline of entrants into law. It also gives the firm’s staff the opportunity to develop their skills in volunteering with young people who would not normally expect to encounter such prospects.
Students attending insight days came from Eastbrook School in Dagenham, Hayes School, Canons High School in Edgware, Woodhouse College in Finchley, The UCL Academy in Camden, The London Academy in Edgware and Carshalton High School for Girls.
Future First connects employers and pupils
Taylor Wessing is one of several employers working with Future First to connect their employees with motivated young people in need of role models in the world of work. Current employer partnerships include The Wellcome Trust, Ashurst LLP, KPMG and Rothschild.
Future First/YouGov polling shows that 70 per cent of 16 to 19-year-olds think it will be hard to get a job when they leave school or college and 39 per cent don’t know anyone in a job they would like to do.
Future First Chief Executive Officer Matt Lent said, ‘Young people cannot be what they cannot see. It is vital to open young people’s eyes to a world beyond their own and broaden their jobs horizons. Our Taylor Wessing partnership will enable students who aspire to a career in the legal sector to achieve what may otherwise have been impossible.’
Dan Harris, Taylor Wessing’s Diversity, Inclusion and Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, said ‘Our long-standing partnership with Future First targets young people in state education, enabling them to reach their full potential. Our partnership is an example of how embedding a relationship makes a big difference to our local community, our people and our clients. The varied backgrounds of our volunteers help to show there is no ‘right’ background and that anyone can pursue their ambition with some guidance and encouragement.’
For further information see the Future First website or call 0207 239 8933.
