Entering our third year together, CIPD and Education and Employers are continuing to inspire young people through engaging experiences that explore careers, skills and the future of work.
Over the past two years, the partnership has helped raise awareness of careers in HR and people practice, showcasing the diverse opportunities available within the profession. In Year 3, we are building on this success by bringing CIPD’s expertise in people, skills and the future of work into a wider range of engaging topics and learning experiences.
HR is about far more than policies and processes. It is about helping people develop their potential, creating workplaces where everyone can contribute and thrive, and enabling organisations to succeed through their people.
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.
While some professions are familiar to young people, many roles in HR, learning and development, recruitment and employee wellbeing often go unnoticed. Through this partnership, we’re shining a light on these opportunities and helping students connect their interests and strengths to a wide range of future career possibilities.
“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
Year 2 Highlights
In the second year of the partnership, CIPD and Education and Employers continued to raise awareness of careers in HR and people practice by connecting young people with professionals from across the sector. Through a combination of virtual and in-person activities, the programme reached 27,455 young people across 141 schools, helping students discover the wide range of opportunities within HR, challenge misconceptions about the profession and better understand the links between education and future employment.
The impact was evident in feedback from pupils and teachers. Students were inspired to consider people-focused careers, gain a deeper understanding of the profession and explore opportunities they may not previously have encountered. Teachers also highlighted the value of hearing directly from CIPD volunteers, noting high levels of engagement and curiosity throughout the sessions.
What students told us
- “I learnt about everything involved in HR.”
- “HR has different jobs and is not the responsibility of just one person.”
- “About HR – I never knew those jobs existed.”
What teachers told us
- “One child said they would love to work with people to look after their wellbeing after listening to one of the volunteers. It inspired her to investigate more about this role.”
- “One of our male students was particularly interested in the HR professional working in Dubai – it really sparked his interest and got him thinking about future possibilities.”
- “The People Manager – it was important for the children to see that people are happy in their jobs. They didn’t realise that this was an actual role and thought it was very important.”
- “As the event went on, the pupils’ questions became more specific and relevant, showing their growing understanding of the jobs. We had so many questions typed into the chat!”
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!
