Aon gives Birmingham students first steps on career ladder

Aon plc (NYSE: AON), a leading global professional services firm, has welcomed 49 school students from Birmingham 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 Colmore Circus 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 Moseley School and Sixth Form; King Edward VI Handsworth Wood Girls Academy; Washwood Heath Academy; Holly Lodge High School; Bishop Milner Catholic College; Windsor High School and Sixth Form; Old Swinford Hospital School (Stourbridge); King Edward VI School Stratford; Waverley Sixth Form; St Edmund Campion; Newcastle College NSCG; The Khalsa Academy, Wolverhampton; Finham Park Sixth Form; Aldersley Sixth Form; King Edward VI Aston; John Henry Newman Catholic College; and Joseph Chamberlain Sixth Form College.

Last year Aon delivered its inaugural Work Insights programme to 600 students across the UK including in Birmingham. 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.

Andy Nichols, senior consultant, Aon Birmingham said: “Providing young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds with the opportunity to gain insight into the world of work, particularly the financial and professional services sector, is so important and quality work experience is an ideal way of achieving this.

“Aon’s Work Insights Programme enables young people to develop employability skills, learn more about different career opportunities, and supports the transition from education to employment.

“Delivering a programme of this kind isn’t possible without the support of my colleagues from Aon Birmingham who volunteered their time, so I’d like to thank them. The students, meanwhile, were a credit to their schools and enthusiastically engaged in all activities. I hope they have a greater understanding of our industry and that the experience supports their future careers.”

Arisha Akhter from John Henry Newman Catholic College participated in the Work Insights Programme and commented: “I found Aon’s Work Insights Programme insightful. I wouldn’t have known about the different career opportunities Aon offers had I not taken part.”

As part of the programme, Aon partnered with state-funded schools in Birmingham to reach pupils who would benefit most – adopting a selection process based on diversity statistics, such as areas with a high percentage of free school meals.

For further information about the UK Work Insights Programme and to participate please visit https://www.aon.com/careers/early-careers/uk/workinsight