Creating a mutually beneficial

partnership with organisations

and their employees

Transform the lives of young people

in Scotland
We are Career Ready
We are a social mobility charity who wants every young person,
regardless of background, to progress to a positive post-school
destination and prosper in work and life.
Young people who face barriers in education and employment due to their
socio-economic-cultural background are given the chance for their talents to be
uncovered and potential fulfilled.

Working in partnership with employers and their employee volunteers, Local

Authorities and schools, together we provide targeted young talent in S5/6 with a
structured, impactful, two-year programme which empowers, boosts social capital
and develops work skills.

With a mentor from the world of work, a four-week paid internship with their
mentor’s organisation, and a series of skills masterclasses combined with workplace
visits, young people leave school more confident, knowledgeable, and ready to follow
their identified career path.

For over 10 years we have developed partnerships with employers of all sizes and
sectors, delivering lasting benefits including the opportunity, resources and support
to develop and build your talent pipeline.

We are endorsed by the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland and The

Scottish Government as an example of best practice in employability transformation
for young people. As a leading contributor to The Young Person’s Guarantee and
Developing the Young Workforce, your organisation’s engagement with us counts.

Where we work currently

• Aberdeen • Fife • Moray
• Aberdeenshire • Edinburgh • Perth & Kinross
• Clackmannanshire • Glasgow • Renfrewshire
• Dundee • Stirling • South Lanarkshire
• East Lothian • Inverclyde • West Dunbartonshire
• Falkirk • Midlothian • West Lothian

ABOUT US
Our Impact
87% of alumni said
Career Ready had a
positive impact on
their life

64% of alumni said

they had a network
who could help them
find a job

91% of students said

Career Ready raised
their aspirations

“The evidence-based Career Ready programme

allows mentors and employers to engage with
schools, deliver success for our young people and
help prepare every one of them to make their
own mark on our future economy and society.”
Carrie Lindsey, Executive Director of Education and
Children’s Services, Fife Council and President of ADES
(Association of Directors of Education in Scotland)

OUR IMPACT
 I am delighted that, despite the
extraordinary challenges we all continue to

Get involved face, we are supporting more young people

than ever before. With programme adaptations
and innovations, the opportunities remain
Can you provide one or more students with a mentor and a fantastic, as is the impact Career Ready extends to
employers and their volunteers. We all ultimately
four-week paid internship? Help us transform the life chances
benefit from this, in fact, Career Ready is one of
of young people by offering: the best parts of my job.
John Stewart, HRD SSE & Career Ready Chair, Scotland Advisory Board

Mentoring SEP MAY

Mentor a young person in S5 and S6 (or chosen post S5 route) as
they develop their Skills for Career Success. Mentoring is a key part One-to-one 90 mins. From Nov. S5 to PVG scheme
of the two-year programme starting in November in Year 1 through to meetings Every four April S6 membership
May in Year 2. weeks required

Internship Some aspects

The accompanying paid internship in the mentor’s workplace JUL may be delivered
enables students to develop their skills and is a truly
Individuals Four weeks June/July virtually
transformational experience, plus it’s a great way for your
organisation to develop and discover diverse young talent. paid

Masterclasses and workplace visits

Deliver a Masterclass virtually or host one at your workplace
when permitted. Delivered at key points in the programme, SEP AUG Some may be
masterclasses cover career pathways, work skills and topics for delivered virtually
students to discuss with their mentor. Groups 1 hour During term
(20 - 30) per session time
When held in your workplace, inspire students with insights into
your organisation and sector.

Local Advisory Board AUG JUN

Join a Local Advisory Board in your area, a steering group of key
local employer volunteers who act as ambassadors and leads for 4 meetings From August to
new employer supporters. per year June

The two years I spent with Matt were a great

Due to Covid-19 many of our programme activities continue
to be delivered virtually. We will fully revert to face-to-face
opportunities in line with government guidance.
learning experience for both of us. Through our
time together we were able to identify Matt’s
strengths and development areas and he has now secured
an apprenticeship here at Diageo. I have gained not only a
colleague but a friend.
Alastair Cooke, Process Business Leader, Diageo
The value we add
Becoming a Career Ready partner adds real value to
your organisation and gives you and your employees the
opportunity to make a lasting difference to young lives.
Find out more in our 2021 Power of Volunteering and
Career Ready at 18 reports.

Meet and enhance your sustainability, diversity and

inclusion strategies
Partnering with Career Ready makes a real, demonstrable difference,
supporting a range of strategic ambitions. Championing potential,
breaking down barriers and building confidence so that young people in
the communities you serve can rebuild and thrive. Our data provides you
with the evidence of the impact you are making.

Invest in the future

Our partnerships give employers a cost-effective means of tapping into
young, diverse talent and investing in their recruitment pipelines. By
providing workplace opportunities employers can identify Gen Z talent,
shape the workforce of the future, and showcase their early careers
opportunities.

Organisations who partner with Career Ready, including FTSE 100

companies, SMEs and the public sector have recruited our young people
onto their apprenticeship and graduate schemes, as well as into full-time
entry level positions. 75% of employers said, given the opportunity, they
would hire their Career Ready intern.

Support colleagues to develop and build their skills

Our volunteering opportunities provide employers with a cost and time
effective way of upskilling employees and enhancing their wellbeing.
By volunteering as mentors, internship supervisors, and masterclass
facilitators, employees develop key skills including coaching, management,
listening, effective questioning, motivating a young person, empathy and
knowledge of the challenges young people face. 89% of Career Ready
mentors report their mentoring and coaching skills as good or excellent at
the end of the programme compared to 40% at the start.

THE VALUE WE ADD

 Additional ways to support
As a charity, our work is made possible through your
programme support and financial donations from generous
partners. As we explore and agree our partnership, we would
love to discuss the possibility of:

A charitable donation
Financial donations enable us to deliver our programme and
expand our reach. We don’t have a set amount - every £1 is
well spent.

Fundraising
Employees and individuals can support our work by organising
a whole range of fundraising events from running a 5k, hosting
a Teams quiz or climbing a Munro. There are lots of ideas and
resources on our website:
https://careerready.org.uk/fundraising

Payroll giving
An efficient way for employees to donate to Career Ready when
you add us to your payroll giving charities via the Charitable Aid
Foundation. It’s easy to opt into and out of and is also the only
form of giving that is automatically tax-efficient for higher rate
taxpayers.

Young people need to be at the heart of

our COVID recovery
“I’ve seen many talented young people just crying
out for an opportunity to realise their talent and
Sandy Begbie CBE,
fulfil their promise within a meaningful career, and
Career Ready Chair & CEO,
Scottish Financial Enterprises
Career Ready makes this happen.”

WAYS TO SUPPORT
For further information
and to get involved:
www.careerready.org.uk/scotland

scotland.enquiries@careerready.org.uk

THANK YOU @CareerReadyUK