For many employers, recruiting people with the right skills remains a long-term challenge. One way to help address this is by engaging with young people before they enter the workforce.
Through Surrey Careers Hub, businesses have the opportunity to play an active role in preparing the next generation for employment while gaining valuable benefits for their own organisation. Part of Surrey County Council’s Economy and Growth Team, Surrey Careers Hub works with 96 secondary schools and colleges across the county, creating connections between education and industry that benefit both students and employers.
The Careers Hub is inviting more businesses and professionals to join their growing Business Volunteer network and help develop Surrey’s future workforce.
The business benefits of getting involved
Collaborating with schools and colleges is not just about supporting young people. It can also help organisations achieve their own workforce, recruitment and social value objectives.
Benefits include:
- Promoting your organisation and career opportunities to future employees
- Increasing awareness of careers within your industry
- Strengthening your future recruitment pipeline
- Providing staff with opportunities to develop coaching, mentoring and leadership skills
- Helping shape the skills and knowledge young people develop before they enter the workplace
- Demonstrating a commitment to supporting local communities and economic growth.
Many employers find that engagement with education helps strengthen recruitment strategies while also boosting employee engagement and job satisfaction among existing staff.
“Offering work experience is a key part of how we recruit and helps our team grow by developing their coaching skills. We create flexible opportunities, which fit around our business. At the end of each placement, students share what they’ve learned, and that’s when we know we’re making a difference.”
Davinder Lotay, Owner & Managing Director, Altimex Ltd
Ways your organisation can get involved
There are a variety of opportunities available, whether you can contribute occasionally or would like to establish a longer-term and deeper relationship with a school or college.
Employer encounters and careers activities
Businesses can support careers education through activities such as:
- Careers fairs
- Speed networking sessions
- Mock interviews
- Classroom talks and guest presentations
Even a small time commitment can make a significant difference, helping students understand the opportunities available in your sector while raising your organisation’s profile.
Sharing expertise and industry knowledge
For organisations looking to become more involved, there are opportunities to support projects, deliver workshops and share specialist expertise with education leaders and teaching staff. These partnerships help ensure young people develop skills that reflect the needs of today’s employers.
“At KPMG, we’ve seen first-hand how these experiences broaden horizons and help young people connect their strengths to real opportunities. But this only works when businesses collaborate. By opening our doors wider and involving a range of organisations, we can offer young people a clearer picture of what’s possible and, in doing so, strengthen the future workforce.”
Cath Burnet, Head of Audit, KPMG UK
Helping young people gain workplace experience
Providing meaningful encounters with employers has never been more important. As the Government works towards ensuring every young person completes 10 days of meaningful work experience during their secondary education, businesses have a key role to play.
Opportunities can be flexible and tailored to suit your organisation, and there’s a wide range available, including:
- Short workplace visits and employer insight sessions
- Careers talks and workplace tours.
- Project-based experiences
- Traditional work experience placements lasting several days.
These activities help students build confidence, workplace awareness and employability skills, while enabling employers to showcase career pathways and identify potential future talent.
“In the world of hybrid working, the traditional five-day work experience is ever challenging to achieve. Our approach offers experiences of the workplace of different lengths and venues for maximum flexibility and scale.”
Ian Browne, Early Careers Leader, Lloyds Banking Group
Become part of Surrey’s Business Volunteer Network
Whether you want to support recruitment goals, develop your employees, increase visibility within the local community or contribute to the future success of Surrey’s economy, Surrey Careers Hub can help you identify the right opportunities for your organisation.
To learn more, complete the Business Volunteer Network Employer Engagement Offer form and a member of the Surrey Careers Hub team will be in touch to discuss the options available.
Still have questions?
Get in touch by emailing careers.hub@surreycc.gov.uk and one of the team will be happy to answer your questions.
