The primary aim of the initiative is to provide ‘real world’ careers education to a group of Year 9 students from George Green’s in the Isle of Dogs – a school where almost 60% of students receive free school meals and an equal percentage have English as a second language. The programme will engage volunteers from Osborne Clarke in supporting and encouraging students to make the right decisions about their GCSE options and future careers.

Over 20 volunteers representing a range of different roles in the firm – from solicitors to associates, sales managers to partners – came to the launch event to meet the students and listen to the presentations.

Ray Berg, a senior Corporate Partner at Osborne Clarke, explained: ‘We believe it is vitally important that young people from non-traditional backgrounds have the same career opportunities as their peers, and be well informed about their options whilst still at school.’

Having come from a state school background himself, Berg spoke of his passionate and personal commitment to enhancing social mobility and the important role that organisations like Future First play in raising the aspirations of young people.  ‘It’s not about encouraging students to pursue a career in law’, Berg went on to say, ‘it’s about making the City accessible and helping them navigate their way through the routes into different professions.’

Following the introductions, Future First, armed with whistle in hand, facilitated a speed networking exercise to break the ice and encourage all the Osborne Clarke volunteers to start talking to the students on a one-to-one level. ‘What famous person do you most admire and why?’ in particular triggered high decibels of chatter and laughter.

The students were asked to share their expectations of the programme and what they most wanted to learn. ‘How can I stand out from the crowd?‘ one student asked, and  ‘How can I make the most of all the opportunities out there?’ another remarked.

When asked why George Green’s finds it beneficial to work with firms like Osborne Clarke, Shirley Peterson, Economic Wellbeing Coordinator at the school made it crystal clear, ‘this is the first time a group of Year 9 students have been offered such focused support from a City law firm, which is incredibly valuable and we’re extremely grateful.’

Students were joined by their parents who got as much value from the event as their children. ‘I never had this opportunity when I was at school’ remarked one parent. ‘I would like my child to be prepared with the skills she needs for everyday life’ said another.

Over the coming weeks, volunteers from Osborne Clarke will meet with the students in small groups, supported by Future First, to provide guidance around issues of personal and professional development and what skills they will need to develop to become more employable and pursue the careers of their choice.

The programme marks the second year of Future First’s partnership with Osborne Clarke and George Green’s. The achievements from the first year have already been recognised and shortlisted for an award.

The firm has committed to work with Future First to develop the Year 9 programme over a three year period, supporting the students as they further progress towards their A level options.

Nynke Brett heads up Future First’s Corporate Partnerships arm which supports employers to design and deliver employee engagement programmes with young people. Its partners include Google, PwC, Taylor Wessing, and Rothschild. The programme also provides a school leaver resourcing service, and is currently supporting PwC and Citi to identify and attract exceptional entry level talent from non-traditional backgrounds.

In the careers sessions, current students got to interact with former Feltham students Attique Ul-Rehman, who works for ITV’s Online Media Department, Claire Benson, a Fire and Explosions Expert, Dr. Kalpa DaSilva, a cardiologist and Dene Robinson an Oil and Gas Engineer. During these events, students got to hear about the career paths of all four former students, what their jobs are like and how they got to where they are. This was followed by an in depth Q & A session to help students with their own choices about future courses, career paths and their next steps.

One student said of the sessions: “It was amazing to hear about their (former student’s) experiences, what type of qualities are needed for certain types of jobs, the different skills, what you can do with your A Levels and what you can do with your life!” Another student added: “It’s a good experience because it helps me realise there’s a lot I can do, I’m not narrowed down …there are wider opportunities; it widens my horizons”.

The former students enjoyed the sessions too, Kalpa said, “It was great! It bought back loads of good memories; it was fun to speak to kids who have gone through things that I’ve gone through in the past. The main thing is to give them the idea that working hard now can get them somewhere, and help them achieve something in the future”. Claire agreed, “It was really good fun today, they’re brilliant kids and they’re really enthusiastic, they asked lots of questions! I know that when I was at school I hadn’t heard of my job and because some of them have now, they may think about going into that field or something similar.”

Jay Lockwood, a teacher at Feltham Commuity College shared his thoughts about the sessions and why it’s so useful for the school: “I think it’s one of the most powerful things I’ve seen with careers because of the quality of the alumni. You just looked around the room and all the students were hanging on every word they heard. It helps them realise that there are things out there in the big wide world, which are very attainable, and makes them believe that they can do it. People from their area have done it and that should inspire them”.

We would like to thank Attique, Claire, Kalpa and Dene for giving up their time to support our work at Feltham Community College this school year. Our work is not possible without inspirational, informative and ambitious speakers, nor the incredible teachers who are so supportive of our work. Last but certainly not least we’d like to thanks the students at the school for making the most of the opportunity to talk to such a fantastic group of people. Looking forward to running more events next year!

To bring Future First to your school or volunteer at one of our existing schoosl get in touch.

Last Thursday, former Parliament Hill students Clare O’Driscoll and Lucy Irving spent the morning helping current students with their interview techniques. In the very rooms where they had their media studies lessons 15 years earlier, Clare and Lucy chatted to students about their jobs, career pathways and how to do well in an interview. After hearing about Lucy’s and Clare’s experiences, students identified their own skills, strengths and personal qualities and took part in an interview role play where they had to answer competency based interview questions. In this role play, students had to use examples of when they’ve used their skills and how they’ve applied themselves in various situations. This role play was to help prepare them for upcoming entry interviews to support their sixth form applications, as well future job interviews.

Parliament Hill student Tolu said she gained useful insights from the workshop. She said that she learnt “what to do in interviews”, and “how to think about my strengths and what I can take from the subjects I don’t like”. Tolu’s friend Amanda echoed these comments, and said the session helped her “speak more confidently”.

Former Parliament Hill student Clare, a Jewellery Designer with her own business said she thought the one of the most important things students came away with was “inspiration from ex Parliament Hill girls”. Lucy, a Psychology lecturer and PhD student, agreed. She commented that after the session the students “see they can achieve anything”. Lucy also enjoyed the session because she “got to do something that benefits other people”. Clare said that she found it really satisfying to see the girls gaining in confidence.

This Future First session was part of a ‘Deep Learning Day’, a termly initiative run across Parliament Hill and its partner schools in the La Swap consortium. These off-curriculum days focus on the personal development of the students, and give them an opportunity to develop skills outside of a classroom context. Sophie Noden, a teacher from Parliament Hill said the Future First workshop gave the students “confidence that there are many routes into careers” and “useful interview skills”.

With youth unemployment at its highest level for 17 years and with increasing education fees, these types of sessions are crucial for equipping young people to overcome the challenges they face as they progress through school and start to think about their next steps.

Interested in bringing Future First to your school? Get in touch

To learnt more about Parliament Hill and the La Swap consortium visit their websites.

To see Clare O Driscoll’s website click here

Between writing a sitcom and playing the violin for Mark Thomas, Amy took some time to write a blog for Future First about why she thinks it’s important to speak to students at her old comprehensive, Hampstead School, about jobs and careers….

As soon as my friend told me about Future First I was excited, and impatient, to get involved. They invited me to join them in helping educate kids at my old school about jobs and careers. I had been a hard worker at school, but despite achieving all the good grades I needed for university, I would still be returning to school as an example of someone who has made a career out of something which isn’t prescribed by the school curriculum.

It’s hugely inspiring for me to know that students at my old school can get access to the thousands of opportunities that are out there for them and learn from former students like me – I’m really happy to be part of that. Going into the comedy writing world for example, which felt like it was run by exclusive boys networks, I soon realised the power of networks and of learning confidence, independence, and complete and utter uniqueness: I’m thrilled that I can share this knowledge with young people at my old school.

When I was at school I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to ‘do’  because I was interested in lots of things. It’s taken me years to really try things out:  from studying drama at university, to running theatre companies, touring as a writer/performer in a comedy sketch group, playing in orchestras internationally, to playing the violin on the comedy circuit. Now I realise that I can incorporate all of my interests, just be me AND get paid for it. It takes a lot of hard work and marketing to convince people they really need a comedy violinist, so I create these job opportunities for myself. It’s all about carving out a niche for yourself – I think that’s really important advice for young people interested in being a performer or artist – it doesn’t have to be about choosing one skill or the other, it’s about using the contrasting skills to strengthen the others, and celebrating your uniqueness.

I remember Mark Thomas, one of my comedy heroes, coming into my school to do some campaigning about fair trade with us over ten years ago. Ten years later, I’m touring music festivals and regional theatres with him, warming up the crowd with live klezmer music and keeping them entertained in the interval. This was more of a fantasy gig I daren’t dream about, let alone a viable career option. It is, however, a great example of how, once you know what you and only you can contribute to the world, things fall into place. I remember kids at school taunting me for being a geek: leading the school orchestra did very little for my social status, and very few of the cool kids were impressed that I could do a mean Eddie Izzard impression, so they would try to make me feel embarrassed about it. But I stuck by those skills and aspects of my personality that make me a unique performer. I mean who can now say they have played Glastonbury’s first ever two-hour set to 2,000 people with one of their comedy heroes? I am now working with a lot of political UK hip hop and grime artists, as well as performing comedy storytelling about (and with) my violin. Now, after every job I’ve done, I make sure I look back and can say with confidence: ‘only I could have done that’.

If I was in school now and I went to a Future First event I’d think “FINALLY. Some people with sensible advice. Where the hell have you lot been hiding?” It’s a bewildering time being at school and if I’d have known that people like me not only got through it alive but also managed to make something of themselves that is completely unique, and not necessarily easy, it would have been really inspiring. I’m so glad I can be part of it now.

It’s also amazing to be part of a community of former Hampstead School students who are all doing amazing things: my friend Katy is a nurse and is combining her skills in medicine and passion for travelling by being a resident nurse in an arctic research station. Another Hampstead School friend, Isaac Warshal, has recently set up his own business called Focus Mobile, which helps automobile companies to develop strategies to use mobile technology – a very clever idea that is the result of his own talent for spotting the gap in the market and developing it into a business. I think it’s so inspiring to see others like me using what makes them unique to create their own jobs. And because we all do entrepreneurial and creative things we can spark off each other, even years after we left school.

So, if you’re reading this and thinking about going into your old school: do it. Think about that teenager you once were, and how much you would like to tell them: this is your chance.

Amy will be playing violin in Mark Thomas’ Extreme Rambling at the National Theatre and at the Tricycle Theatre (her old schools local theatre!) in January.

Discussing the employability skills deficit among many young people, Andy Burnham MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Education, quoted figures from the Future First research report, Social Mobility, Careers Advice & Alumni networks, published earlier this year. http://www.futurefirst.org.uk/social-mobility-careers-report.pdf

He stated that “I genuinely find it appalling that… 39% of 16 to 19 year olds who went to a state school do not know anyone in a career in which they would like to work,” and called for recognition that role models could be key to young people’s fulfilment of their ambitions.

Watch Andy Burnham talk about the Future First report by clicking here, and scrolling to 26:20:

Future First are also delighted by the continuing support of Stephen Twigg MP, who joined Mr Burnham in citing our report, and who praised the effectiveness and value of Future First’s programmes.

Watch Stephen Twigg reiterate his desire to see the Future First programme extended to schools in Liverpool, by clicking here and scrolling to 1:50:40.

Future First are really looking forward to our upcoming meeting with education and business leaders in Liverpool, which we hope will bring us one step closer to making Mr Twigg’s hope a reality.

Future First always welcomes these debates, and conversations with members of all political parties to ensure that every young person in the UK has access to a model of careers advice that encompasses formal careers advice, role models and exposure to different work environments, so that every young person can fulfil their aspirations.

Future First sees formal, impartial careers provision as an essential service for all young people and advocates for investment into rather than the scrapping or downscaling of such services, whether that be provided through the Connexions service or through others.

Future First can not be seen as an alternative to such advice and we see ourselves as using relatable role models to inspire and educate young people so that they can make better use of such services.

As we expand our own work, hoping to work with 8,000 – 10,000 young people this year, we are deeply worried that these young people and others will not have access to the impartial, formal advice that we hope to leverage.

Future First is open to working with Connexions or other formal careers advisors or groups to deliver a rounded programme, and has, through the National Connexions Network / Careers England, sought to relay a proposal to all such groups on how a partnership might look.

We will continue to petition government, local authorities and schools to adapt our model but to do so in addition to and never at the expense of formal, impartial services.

Since Stephen Twigg spoke about us in Parliament, the Shadow Secretary of State for Education, Andy Burnham featured us in a speech about 21st Century education policy.

What’s more, we’re growing again! We have an incredible role available looking for a Managing Director who can take our work to date to a national level. Please do pass around the job advert below. We’re looking for applications over the next 10 days.

Managing Director

Future First

£28,000 – £34,000

Future First is a social business working to revolutionise careers advisory services and connect young people to employers in order to enhance social mobility.

Our core work revolves around creating alumni in state schools, bringing in former students to inspire, educate and inform young people about the world of work.

Working in partnership with schools across London and businesses such as Google, PwC and RBS and having been prominently featured in The Mirror, the Evening Standard and Parliamentary debates on education, Future First is now looking to expand its reach nationally. We are seeking an ambitious, entrepreneurial Managing Director to steer the organisation through an exciting period of rapid growth.

Our Managing Director will be someone with the vision to work with big business, media, government and schools to bring 100,000 people across the UK back into their old schools and make alumni-based careers education a norm, alongside formal provision.

You will have a real passion for issues surrounding social mobility and education and have experience of attracting national, as well as new media to drive forward the organisation’s growth. The ideal candidate will have sound business acumen, experience of business planning with an operational focus but must be able to combine an entrepreneurial spirit, stakeholder engagement and an ability to drive and manage change.

This role offers the opportunity to lead and drive a truly innovative, award-winning social business through the next phase of their development. Offices are shared with The Social Investment Consultancy, a social enterprise and philanthropic consulting firm who were an early investor in Future First. To request a full job description, please contact jess@futurefirst.org.uk or send a CV and cover letter direct to the same address.

We are filtering applications from 1st August, with the final deadline now 6pm on Wednesday 3rd August.

Discussing the importance of opening up networks of support and contacts to young people from all backgrounds, the shadow minister highlighted Future First as an organisation ‘helping schools to build the networks that they need to offer… opportunities in their local communities’ and so ensuring every young person is able to achieve his or her potential, irrespective of their social background.

The full text of this speech can be found at : http://www.demos.co.uk/files/21stcenturylearning.pdf

We’re looking forward to working with Andy and his colleagues across the political parties to ensure that these opportunities continue to be created, giving every young person a fair chance in life.

The New Careers Service

The first policy put forward to increase social mobility is the establishment of a new careers service in England by April 2012, ‘built on the principles of independence and professionalism’. This is a cause for celebration. Since the dismantling of Connexions earlier this year, there has been a gaping hole where careers advice should be for too many young people. As Future First sees in schools every day, this has left many young people daunted and pessimistic as they face higher tuition fees and the worst jobs market for a generation without the information, advice and support they need.

But while the re-establishment of a nationwide formal careers service is a step forward, Future First argues that it this is not enough to support young people as they are making decisions about their future . Formal, impartial advice plays a crucial role, but so does informal advice. Young people need networks of informal support and sources of information, which they can relate to and which they can access at times that suit them. They need access to social capital that can help them make the transition from secondary education to fulfilling employment, perhaps via higher education. And it is the lack of these networks of informed support that disproportionately affects young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, so stifling social mobility.

In March 2011 Future First asked teenagers across Britain who they turned to when they wanted careers advice. They told us that they rated the support and opinions of their friends and family higher than that of their formal in-school advisors. But, even though they relied on their social networks of support, our survey showed these networks are not providing enough aspiration and guidance for young people. Over a third of young people at state schools do not know anyone in a job that they would like to do, and that rises to nearly half of those young people receiving free school meals. This is in comparison to just a quarter of young people from private schools. Formal guidance can support these pupils, but who can inspire them to achieve if there is no one they can talk to about the careers they would like to reach?

Future First urges schools and policy-makers to consider the importance of informal support and guidance as a medium to raise aspirations and so as a key driver of social mobility. Easily relatable to current pupils, former students are ideally placed to provide this.

Tuition Fees and Information Advice and Guidance

Variable and higher tuition fees risk dissuading young people from poorer backgrounds from going to university. In our March survey, Future First found that poorer students – those receiving the Educational Maintenance Allowance – were twice as likely to say they would be very put off going to university if the fees are increased than those students not receiving the EMA. The White Paper may strengthen the the Office for Fair Access and place a burden on universities to agree Access Agreements but this level of dissuasion will need to be addressed in schools too.

Excellent information, advice and guidance (IAG) will be crucial in informing these pupils of their options and ensuring they are empowered to make tough decisions. Future First echoes the concerns of the Bridge Group that the White Paper has not adequately addressed this. We also suggest from our own experience of working with young people at state schools that they make their decisions about Higher Education at a much younger age than often expected. Good state schools are already aware of this, starting higher education IAG from aged 13. Future First works with pupils from Year 8 to introduce them to their school alumni and to start to educate them about their post 16 options. But this practice  of earlier intervention regarding higher education, and IAG more widely, needs to be more widely adopted and supported by the Government and schools.

The importance of role models

We are pleased that the role of careers advice is being seen as so integral to improving social mobility. The sector has been under-valued and under-invested by too many for too long, and it is young people who have lost out. But the new system of professional careers advice alone won’t be enough. Pupils need more information and advice specifically on higher education and this inspiration about options needs to start younger. The communities that surround schools need to engage with them to build social capital and provide inspiration, advice and guidance.

For more information on Future First, please go to: www.futurefirst.org.uk

Salary £18,000 – £20,000

Future First is a social purpose business working to empower young people from UK state schools. Future First builds alumni networks around schools to advise, inform and inspire young people about careers.

Future First creates individually tailored, community-based answers to the challenges that confront young people as they build their CVs, develop their interests and aspirations and start to think about the world of work.

Future First has successfully worked across London and the South-East since 2008. Having doubled the number of client schools in the last 12 months, Future First is now looking for a Project Coordinator to build alumni networks and lead operations in these schools, becoming the key Future First representative for teachers and students. The candidate needs to be outgoing, great with young people and able to work professionally with client schools and corporate partners.

Key responsibilities:

• Working with school pupils, teachers, parents and wider community to build and maintain alumni networks. This includes:

-       Following community leads and identifying suitable alumni candidates;

-       Engaging and training identified alumni;

-       Providing teacher, pupil, parent and community briefings on Future First;

• Working with school staff to coordinate and deliver Future First in-school curriculum for pupils aged 14 to 19;
• Populating and maintaining Future First school websites with alumni content;
• Coordinating and training volunteers from local corporate partners to engage in events with pupils;
• Maintaining and developing relationships with alumni volunteers;
• Working with careers advisors and staff at local secondary schools, local authorities and Connexions offices;
• Overseeing and evaluating project to maintain impact and best practice.
• Liaising with local press and community organizations to build community support and engagement;
• Managing our team of freelance alumni interviewers; coordinating and training them and allocating workload.

The ideal candidate – Essential

• 1 – 5 years experience working in with 13-19 year olds;
• Strong understanding of issues facing students in UK state education system;
• Excellent written and oral communications skills particularly with good public speaking skills and good communication style for young people;
• Ability to work to tight deadlines and prioritise work-flow;
• Interest in social mobility and education;
• Degree-level qualified or significant relevant work experience;
• Entrepreneurial, strong willed, communicator.
• Interest in working in small, dynamic team.

The ideal candidate – Desirable

• Sound understanding of stakeholder management and working in volunteer-based organizations;
• Ability to communicate appropriately with different audiences (pupils, teachers, alumni, corporate volunteers);
• Experience of project management;
• Familiarity with web-based projects;
• Media outreach experience.

Please send a 1 page cover letter to jess@futurefirst.org.uk together with a CV by 5pm on July 8th, 2011.