Aon plc (NYSE: AON), a leading global professional services firm, has welcomed 48 school students from Manchester 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.
Colleagues from Aon’s Manchester office 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 Altrincham Grammar School for Boys; Oldham Sixth Form College; Cardinal Langley Roman Catholic Sixth Form; Connell Co-op College; Loreto College; Didsbury Sixth Form; William Hulme’s Grammar; Urmston Grammar; Trinity C of E Sixth Form; Xaverian Sixth Form College; Upton-by-Chester High School; Parrs Wood Sixth Form; Holy Cross College; and Ashton Sixth Form College.
Last year, Aon delivered its inaugural Work Insights programme to 600 students across the UK. 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.
Jonathan Craven, partner at Aon Manchester said:“Increasing representation of those from lower socio-economic backgrounds across the organisation is a key commitment of Aon’s and part of our strategy is providing quality work experience for young people least likely to consider the financial and professional services industry as a viable career option.
“The 48 students who attended the Work Insights Programme were great ambassadors for their schools and I hope they enjoyed the experience and developed a greater understanding of the industry to support their future careers. I’d like to thank the Aon Manchester colleagues who volunteered to deliver the programme, without them it wouldn’t have been possible.”
Aon employs more than 7,000 colleagues across 24 UK offices, providing clients, from SMEs to large corporates, with commercial risk, health, reinsurance, talent and wealth solutions.
