Throughout our business, we are committed to giving young people the opportunity to progress. That’s why we were one of the first businesses to sign the Social Mobility Pledge.
Becoming a Social Mobility Pledge accredited employer demonstrates commitment to accessing and progressing talent from all backgrounds. The Pledge was launched by Justine Greening MP and the Harrison Centre for Social Mobility in Spring 2018, and over two million UK employees are now covered.
Over the coming weeks we’ll be taking a look at how our commitment to social mobility over the years has helped to support career progression in our business.
Helena Macaulay, Work Experience Student
My name is Helena Macaulay, and I am a Seventeen-year-old local student in Gosforth Academy Sixth Form, Newcastle Upon Tyne. I’ve been taking part in in a work experience placement at True Potential LLP, an investment company which supports young people and local schools through the Social Mobility Pledge. I came across this opportunity after explaining my interest in the business world to my tutor.
So far, I have been involved in the investment management team, wealth management team, marketing team and TPI customer care departments. My roles have involved overseeing the daily tasks and helping where I can. I also took part in the training course for new financial advisers, which helped me to understand the business more, as before Monday I honestly did not know much about pensions! With that in mind, this has already been a very insightful experience for me.
The True Potential staff have been great to work with. Their helpful nature has been consistent throughout the office, proving it to be a very friendly workplace, for staff, and a friendly service for customers, as communication with clients has visibly been in an informative and ‘happy to help’ manner.
As someone with a keen interest in all the aspects of business management I have found all my activities interesting and useful, but the marketing activity particularly engaged me. Grahame is in charge of Marketing content, and mentored me on the process of engaging clients, and technical aspects of directing and producing video. We created video clips for assistance on how to set up an account with True Potential Investor, by filming and recording audio. It was an interesting look into what happens behind-the-scenes, as well as a chance to learn more about True Potential.
I also found the technological side of True Potential fascinating, as their impressively unique website, on-site development team, and innovation culture have proven their attention to detail in an increasing integral part of businesses. In fact, the notion of having all True Potential’s departments so close and interlinked was also a surprising thing for me, as it almost seemed as though there are 4 businesses in one, connected group, paving the way for noticeable efficiency.
I am immensely grateful for this experience, as it will be so useful to talk about on my CV and UCAS Application. It has been great to gain an insight into this type of working environment, and it will be invaluable when considering future careers in business, after university.
In the short time I have been here I have noticed that I am not alone in being provided educational opportunities. I spoke to many employees, from a strikingly vast range of backgrounds, who are currently undertaking exams, paid for by True Potential. It is clear that there are a multitude of personal development opportunities, which I think is just fantastic. I later learned that this is part of True Potential’s Social Mobility Pledge – an impressive scheme to promote learning experiences for all, whether that be official qualifications, or the day-to-day advice that even I have gained over the past few days. The friendly staff were eager to help me, and have provided me with several interesting pointers that they have learnt whilst working here.
Ultimately, I have already thoroughly enjoyed my experience here, and this is thanks to the insight it has provided me for my personal education and career prospects. The willingness and kindness of True Potential’s staff has been a highlight. They accepted me to come in here in the first place, and have since made me feel very welcome, and have taught me so much.
< Back to Blog