We’re excited to be entering our second year in partnership with CIPD – the professional home for HR and people development – continuing our mission to inspire the next generation to discover just how rewarding careers in Human Resources can be.
Because HR isn’t just about policies and processes. At its heart, it’s about people – supporting individuals to grow, shaping workplaces where everyone feels they belong and making a real difference to how organisations succeed.
About ‘people’ professionals
The CIPD is the professional body for careers that focus on people – including Human Resources (HR), Learning & Development (L&D), Organisation Development (OD), and other people-focused roles.
People professionals are there to help others learn, grow and enjoy their work, while making sure organisations run well and succeed.
Now in our second year working with CIPD, we want to help pupils and students across the UK discover these careers – and show just how varied and rewarding they can be.
Job titles like Human Resources Officer or Learning Manager don’t usually make it onto young people’s dream job lists – simply because they haven’t heard about them. Together, we’re changing that: giving students the chance to find out about these roles early, so they can see which ones might match their interests, strengths, and future goals.
“We value the opportunity that working with Inspiring the Future gives us to engage directly with the next generation. Young people are pivotal in shaping the future and it’s a wonderful chance to help them understand the attractiveness of a career that is of ever-increasing interest and importance”
David D’Souza
Director of Profession, CIPD
Bringing HR Careers to Life
We’re on a mission to spark interest in careers in Human Resources (HR) among young people across the UK.
Through the support of HR volunteers who are CIPD members, we’ve reached over 4,000 students through virtual events, an in-person session, and video resources. And we’ve reached primary schools, secondary schools, and colleges.
These activities give students a first-hand look at the people profession and the exciting opportunities it offers.
“”We started knowing nothing about Human Resources and ended knowing lots!” – Primary School Teacher
Students shared that the sessions opened their eyes to the variety of roles in HR with one student noting, “I realised that gaining work experience and developing strong communication skills are essential for a career in HR.”
“The students were engaged and actively participated, asking questions about the different levels of HR roles.”
Secondary school teacher observing the impact
CIPD volunteers reflected on the experience of giving back, with one sharing “Volunteering made me feel like I can make a difference to the lives of young people. I gained more confidence to try something new and I gained a sense of achievement.”
We’re excited to build on this success in the coming year, reaching even more young people, continuing to showcase the variety of HR careers, and inspiring the next generation to consider a future in the people profession.
I’m an HR professional, how can I get involved?
It’s really easy to volunteer with Inspiring the Future, you can share your career journey, experiences, and passion for HR with young people across the UK. Whether through virtual chats or in-person sessions, your insights can inspire students to explore rewarding careers in HR and see the variety of opportunities available.
It’s a chance to give back, support the next generation, and help shape the future of the profession.
I work in a school and our students would benefit
Give your students a chance to explore careers they might never have imagined by getting involved! Join our virtual events happening throughout the year, or invite HR professionals to take part in activities at your school – in person or online.
Your students will discover the skills, subjects, and pathways that can open doors to a rewarding career in HR, and hear firsthand from people shaping the world of work every day.
Log in to your account now and see which HR volunteers are ready to inspire your students near you!
