Inspiring Employers: FutureLearn volunteers go back to school

This month, digital education company FutureLearn partnered with Inspire! to introduce both primary and secondary school children to careers in tech.

FutureLearn welcomed a class of Year 6 pupils from Harrington Hill Primary School to their head office in Camden as part of the iDiscover programme, which introduces pupils to STEM-related jobs (science, technology, engineering and maths). The visit helped pupils understand the work FutureLearn does, as well as experience a real workplace.

Employees introduced pupils to the concept of User Experience by setting a challenge: design a route from their website’s homepage to a specific course. A second activity introduced pupils to content development and learning design, with pupils working together to develop an activity for a course of their choice. The activities were not only fun and engaging for the young audience, but provided hands-on experience of what it’s like to work at an innovative tech company.

The following week, FutureLearn volunteers paid a visit to Year 12 at Haggerston School to help students prepare for working life. Get Ready for Work Experience is a volunteer-led programme where students are taught valuable work-related skills, ensuring they can make the most of their upcoming work experience placements.

Employees helped students explore their transferable skills, improve their interview techniques and act out potential work experience scenarios. The volunteers brought insights from their own professional lives, helping students understand what it takes to achieve career success.

The workshop received great feedback, with 97% of students reporting that they enjoyed the day and developed their understanding of the skills and qualities employers look for. “I really enjoyed the Q&A session with the volunteers” said one enthusiastic student, whilst another added, “I have learnt to deal with difficult situations and I feel more prepared to be in a workplace.”

Inspire! would like to thank FutureLearn for their brilliant contribution to both programmes, providing young people with inspirational role models and valuable insights into working life. Find out more about employee volunteering and hosting workplace visits or get in touch with us to get involved.