Posted on: 16/03/2018
Social Mobility: Have we forgotten anyone?
It was insightful to hear from guest speakers UK Trendence, the Institute of Student Employers, Blackbridge Communications and Rt Hon David Lammy at the first GTI Breakfast News of 2018, discussing social mobility and what this means for the future of students and young people. In order to tackle this challenge, collaboration between universities and employers is key to ensure students are provided with the opportunities to fulfil their future aspirations.
With 75% of employers taking action to improve diversity last year, and 67% of employers stating social mobility as a high or medium priority for 2018 (ISE, 2018), it is positive to see how there is a shift in focus being made by employers, as social mobility is becoming more of a recognised priority.But how can universities also play their part in enabling social mobility? We have supported universities to achieve their widening participation initiatives, enabling them to engage the hardest to reach and create opportunities for those that don’t know their possibilities. In order to inspire early talent, Blackbridge Communications made the following points:
Be upfront with your students – provide examples of how professionals have made it to the top, regardless of their social profiles. The Law Society launched its ‘Solicitors for Social Mobility: the Ambassadors’ initiative to promote role-models from non-traditional backgrounds who have achieved their ambitions, to provide tips and advice to young people looking to pursue a career in law. We know this works, where we regularly capture a diverse range of student success stories, which in turn inspire students to take that leap to realise their full career potential.
Through our experience of providing expert trusted advice to UK SMEs, we have experience of engaging with businesses to enable connectivity between universities and employers. This ensures universities are equipping their students with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in their chosen career path and ensures employers are providing equal opportunities to all students, maximising the best of the talent pool.
As two-thirds of employers say that since becoming inclusive they have seen an increase in skills and a decrease in absenteeism (Blackbridge Communications, 2018), this highlights the importance of why social mobility should remain at the top of the agenda for universities and employers as we continue to tackle this challenge collaboratively.