British Columbia

This is an incredible project, where we’re introducing young people in rural British Columbia, Canada, to a broad range of jobs and sectors they’ve never seen before, let alone considered.

It’s about raising their expectations beyond what’s around them, which our research shows motivates them to engage more in their education.

Our experienced UK team is leading the project, bringing classrooms to life with engaging conversations and activities with volunteer role models. We bring in local volunteer role models in-person, as well as virtually from the UK. Our virtual events are amazing for enabling distance not to be an issue.

Inspiring the Future is able to engage and expand the aspirations of these young people thanks to the Ministry of Education and Child Care in British Columbia as part of the K-8 Career Exploration Initiative.

I am constantly talking to my Grade 7’s about the vast open doors that are available and this program looks like the perfect opportunity to start exploring those

Grade 7 teacher

The 2026 programme

The project supports children and young people aged 5 to 14. In 2026, we’re delivering five virtual events and one in-person event in rural British Columbia. If you’re from a school, you’ll be interested in the next two virtual events that we are hosting, which are detailed at the bottom of this page.

So far this year, children across British Columbia have met volunteers in roles ranging from a Senior Metering Engineer to a Psychotherapist. By connecting them with people from across the province – from Prince George to Vancouver – as well as Canadian volunteers now working in the UK, we’re introducing children to careers and experiences they might never otherwise encounter.

Every event is live, interactive and designed to be engaging, educational and age-appropriate. Led by our experienced team, each session encourages children and young people to ask their own questions, from “Did you ever think about doing a different job?” to “What qualifications do you need for your role?”

Our impact since 2022

Since 2022, Inspiring the Future has had the absolute joy of working with almost 10,000 children from over 100 schools across British Columbia. Our work helps support the great work teachers are already doing, by bringing in engaging role models who can give first-hand insights, share different journeys into that career, and answer children’s often very varied questions! All of this helps broaden children’s horizons, break stereotypes about who can do which jobs, and engage children in learning.

Our work starts early, as role stereotypes form as young as five years old – so we provide employer encounters into kindergartens, elementary and high schools (connecting with kids from kindergarten to Grade 8).

Through our partnership we have been able to visit schools in remote parts of BC in person. We have also zoomed into classrooms bringing information and inspiration from roles such as a naval architect, clinical engineer, welder, aerospace engineer, carpenter, plumber, oceans network coordinator and psychotherapist – to name just a few!

Connecting with real world professionals is so helpful in opening their minds to careers and opportunities

Grade 6/7 teacher

Ways you can get involved