Compass ‘Classroom to Careers’ programme aims to help young people into meaningful work

Compass Group UK & Ireland has launched its Classroom to Careers programme to help young people develop the skills, confidence and opportunities they need to progress into sustainable and meaningful employment. This is part of its social mobility strategy – Our Social Promise, which is striving to positively impact one million lives by 2030.

Classroom to Careers is an innovative programme that brings together Compass’ existing and newly launched early careers initiatives, with a focus on tackling left behind regions and supporting young people not in education, employment or training (NEET).

The programme follows the release of Alan Milburn’s “Young people and work: interim report”, which has highlighted a whole system failure in relation to youth unemployment. The report states that “without urgent action, the number of young people who are NEET – not in education, employment, or training – will rise from 1 in 8 to 1 in 6 young people within five years, representing 1.25 million young lives.” *

Classroom to Careers provides a clear pipeline of opportunities in food and support services for young people, starting at 14–16-year-olds onwards with a10-week programme for aspiring junior. So far, the programme has reached more than 300 students and there are plans to significantly expand the initiative to over 1,500 students in the next 2-3 years.

Kirsty Adams, People Director Talent, Leadership, Learning & Inclusion at Compass Group UK & Ireland, said: “The recent publication of Alan Milburn’s report is a sobering insight into the plight so many young people are facing as they look to enter employment. As one of the UK’s largest employers we know we have the ability to make a difference and provide that crucial first rung of the ladder, along with opportunities where people can thrive.

“Classroom to Careers is about breaking down barriers and showing young people what’s possible. By connecting education with real opportunities through programmes like our Junior Chef Academy and our new virtual work experience module – we’re helping young people gain skills, confidence and insight, while supporting our wider commitment to social mobility.”