Diverse Leaders Network
Pound House, 62A Highgate
High St London N6 5HX
Pound House, 62A Highgate
High St London N6 5HX
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We raise the awareness of your brand and champion your work to young people in your local community and beyond.
We provide early-engagement opportunities for you to develop the career and leadership abilities of diverse young people.
We provide you with unparalleled access to a pool of diverse future talent who have great leadership potential.
Far too many students are still unaware of the wide range of occupations available to them and hold stereotypical views on specific industries and careers. Our leadership and employability programmes increase young people’s awareness of non-stereotypical jobs, the fastest growing industries and the range of jobs that require leadership as a skill.
70% of UK businesses say school leavers from disadvantaged backgrounds lack the right skills needed for employment success, which contribute to poor representation in a number of sectors and in leadership. Our leadership and employability programmes increase the leadership mindset and skillset needed for young people to reach their academic, career and leadership potential.
Young people from groups that are underrepresented are less likely to know someone who works in the industry or in a job role they aspire to and are less likely to feel represented or “seen” in senior job positions, professions and industries that lack diversity. Our leadership and employability programmes increase young people’s access to diverse and relatable relatable role models and further opportunities.
Opportunity to engage in meaningful activities that have a DEI focus and a huge impact on a child’s future and the future UK economy.
"More than 40 BBC staff members shared their professional skills and experience with nearly 90 sixth-form students. In the process, the BBC staff gained valuable insights into the tastes, habits and social networks of the teenagers, and met the potential next generation of entrants into the creative industries."
"It has been an incredibly positive and unique way for our staff to develop their leadership skills, enhance their inclusive behaviours and gain different perspectives by working with (and learning from) young people from diverse backgrounds in our communities. After the programme, my hope is that all our mentors are more inclusive, open and empathetic leaders in their work and personal lives. Many mentors commented that they felt as if they were being mentored, not the other way around. The impact on everyone involved has been profound!"
"I was so inspired by the students’ leadership speeches. The strength of their messages, their confidence and conviction was a joy to see. It reaffirmed how valuable it is to support these initiatives and to nurture the talent of the future."
Limited careers advice and awareness of career pathways.
In 2013, the DfE commissioned a report which concluded that 80% of UK schools failed to provide students with adequate careers advice and guidance. Ofsted found that too many students are still unaware of the wide range of occupations available to them and hold stereotypical views on specific industries and careers. A decade later, very few improvements have been made as 9 out of 10 schools still have insufficient funding for careers advice, disproportionately affecting those from low-income backgrounds.
Low academic attainment and lack of preparation for the world of work
Young people from low-income families achieve significantly lower in educational attainment than those from the least deprived areas in the UK. OECD found that low-income students are less likely to achieve 5 or more GCSE grades at level 5 and above. In addition, 70% of UK businesses say school leavers from disadvantaged backgrounds lack the right skills needed for employment success.
Access: Limited access to a network of professionals.
Research conducted by the IoE found that the use of networks provide an additional advantage over and above a person’s background. However, students from underrepresented groups are less likely to know someone who works in the industry or in a job role they aspire to and are less likely to feel represented or “seen” in senior job positions, professions and industries that lack diversity.
Whether it’s the CEO, the senior leadership team or junior leaders, we provide fun and engaging ways for your whole team to share their leadership experience with the next generation of budding leaders.
Host a networking or celebration event at your office and give young people an experience of what it is like to work there.
Your financial support will enable us to help more schools meet the needs of all their students and provide funding for schools most in need.