Working to create unique business partnerships and programmes that connect young people to opportunity, the Ahead Partnership is the partner of choice for employers that are serious about investing in and supporting young people to improve their career outcomes.
Ahead Partnership takes a design-led approach to developing solutions for partners, and work collaboratively across sectors and regions, bringing together and managing complex partnerships. The programmes prioritise young people who face barriers or are under-represented within the workforce, building their aspirations, skills and careers knowledge and connecting them to employers.
During 2022, we took part in a multi-intervention buddy programme with Ahead Partnership. Through the programme three colleagues mentored a group of 11 young people, aged 16–18, from New College Bradford, who were all taking IT and Business focused courses, to raise awareness of the opportunities available in our business.
The programme consisted of five sessions, developed to support these young people in thinking about their next steps for their futures. The sessions included:
- Meeting colleagues from different functions and levels in the business during a tour of our Bradford offices;
- Careers speed networking session
- Goal setting and actions planning
- Interview preparation and practice
- Help with where to look for and apply for jobs.
Their mentors also supported them in developing an app idea that would encourage people aged 16-18 to save money. The success of the programme has led to the development and planning of an enterprise brief for the students in early 2023. The 2022 cohort visited the Vanquis Banking Group offices in early 2023 to take part in a day-long app development workshop.
"Taking part in this mentoring with Vanquis Banking Group was a great opportunity for these students."
Matt Tune, IT Teacher at New College Bradford