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PwC, the professional services firm, has endorsed the government’s Business Compact on social mobility.

Richard Collier-Keywood, managing partner, PwC said:

“Overall this is about diversity: the people we recruit need to reflect the communities we’re operating in and the clients we have. Anything that supports our programmes to widen access to the professions is a good thing, and we warmly support the initiative.

“There’s a misconception that to widen access you have to lower standards. That’s simply not the case. What we need to do is ensure that as many people as possible have the chance to see the opportunities, understand what’s required of them, and receive the support to achieve their potential. The Compact is accelerating more businesses to do that.”

“We believe the impact and influence of the Compact can be much wider than work experiences alone. We’re looking at opportunities to get involved in schools earlier, to tackle misconceptions about a career in a firm like ours and to explain the range of opportunities.”

In 2010 around 1000 PwC employees provided mentoring and coaching support to young people on employability and education nationwide, valued at around £2.3m, or 8000 hours. The firm is currently developing new programmes to extend the support into schools, and linking it to our A level and graduate recruitment campaigns.

PwC’s employability skills campaign, launched in 2008, provides essential tools and information on the skills employers need for jobs, and how students can gain them. Online assessment tools, seminars and open days online, and on campuses, have attracted almost 200,000 visitors since the campaign began.

The firm offers 400 paid internships this year, open to primarily undergraduates, and will offer 100 work experience places to schools in the communities around PwC offices nationwide.

Richard Collier-Keywood, managing partner, PwC said:

“Widening access to the professions will mean further extending the reach of our employability skills campaign and support. Crucially it helps young people understand not just how to open the door to employment, but to find it in the first place.”

1.PwC is the UK’s largest private sector graduate employer, and opened 400 intern vacancies this year, including a week long business academy, international placements and new vacancies in consulting.
2. The business compact on social mobility (Compact)
Support communities and local schools
- Participate in mentoring schemes for young people, allow staff time off and reward them for getting involved, enable schools and businesses to work together, for example through Business Class; and
- Encourage staff to support our aim to get 100,000 people back into schools at least once a year to talk about their careers as part of a programme to raise aspiration and build knowledge of the world of work.
Improve skills and create jobs by providing opportunities that allow all young people the chance to get a foot on the ladder via inspirational work placements
- Advertise work experience opportunities in local schools rather than filling them through informal networks; and
- Offer internships openly and transparently and provide financial support to ensure fair access.
Improve quality of life and well being by recruiting openly and fairly, ensuring non-discrimination
- Including increased use of name-blank and school-blank applications where appropriate