AON Plc a leading global professional services firm, has welcomed 30 school students from Leeds and the surrounding area to its 2024 Work Insights Programme, which aims to enhance career pathways and social mobility.
Aon’s work experience programme provides students aged 16-17 and from lower socio-economic backgrounds with the opportunity to experience first-hand the world of finance and professional services.
The students spent time in the Number One Embankment office where Aon colleagues delivered the programme which included a real workplace challenge, speed networking where they met with colleagues across a variety of roles, panel discussions around career pathways, and a CV and interview skills workshop.
Schools participating in the initiative included New College Pontefract; Accord Sixth Form, Ossett; Bradford Academy Post-16; Notre Dame Sixth Form College; St Benedict’s Sixth Form; Huddersfield New College; and Greenhead college.
Last year Aon delivered its inaugural Work Insights programme to 600 students across the UK including 29 in Leeds. On completion of the programme, 82 per cent of students surveyed confirmed that they were likely to consider a career in finance and professional services.
Paul Winrow, head of office, Aon Leeds Corporate said: “Providing young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds with the opportunity to gain insight into the financial and professional services sector, through quality work experience, has never been more important.
“The aim of the Work Insights Programme is to enable young people to develop employability skills, learn more about different career opportunities, and support the transition from education to employment. It is also a key part of Aon’s commitment to increasing representation of those from lower socio-economic backgrounds across the business and sector.
“I want to thank colleagues from Aon Leeds who volunteered their time to deliver the programme - without them it wouldn't be possible. The students enthusiastically engaged in all activities and were a credit to their schools. I hope they have a greater understanding of our industry and that the experience supports their future careers.”
Aon employs more than 600 colleagues across its Yorkshire offices, providing clients, from SMEs to large corporates, with commercial risk solutions, health solutions, reinsurance solutions and wealth solutions.
