Climb the Career Ladder No Matter Your Background: Social Mobility Day Tips

Will you do better at work than your parents? Or is climbing the career ladder becoming tougher? Recent research from the Social Mobility Commission suggests 55% of Brits believe it is becoming harder for people from less-advantaged backgrounds to move up in society.

The recent Milburn Review revealed a million youngsters are "not in education, employment or training" and predicts NEET numbers could surge to 1.25 million within five years. Meanwhile, the British Chambers of Commerce predicts one in five young people could be unemployed by the end of 2027, raising fears of a "lost generation" of workers. Even if young people do manage to secure a job, an estimated 37% of UK staff are overqualified for their roles — with those from working-class backgrounds 32% less likely to receive a job offer than their more privileged peers.

But creating a fairer society where working-class people have greater opportunities at work makes sound business sense. Thinktank Demos and the Co-Op suggest greater workplace social mobility could give the economy a £19 billion-a-year boost.

To help keep this "ladder of opportunity" open, charity Making The Leap will celebrate its annual Social Mobility Day on June 11. Tunde Banjoko, head of Making The Leap, said: "The invisible barriers facing those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds affect millions, and it is a crisis that is growing. That is why Social Mobility Day is so important to raise awareness of the issue and to highlight what can be done — and what is being done — to make positive change."

This year's theme is Stories Matter, with managers and senior bosses from working-class backgrounds urged to share their stories to make social mobility issues more visible. Major firms from Sky to PwC are taking part.

James Manley, from London, did work experience with professional services firm EY while at school, and it helped him win a place on a degree apprenticeship. Now 24, James is a software developer with the company. He said: "One of the biggest barriers is access to opportunities. Not everyone grows up knowing what professional careers are out there or how to get into them, so even understanding the pathways available can be a challenge. Take advantage of every opportunity available, even if it feels outside your comfort zone."

Getting Started: Tips for Young People

• Don't change who you are: Young people shouldn't feel they need to erase their accent, background or personality to succeed. Learn how to present yourself professionally while staying authentic.
• Bring your full self to interviews/work: What you do outside work, where you come from and what matters to you can set you apart. Sharing these makes you more memorable and relatable.
• Don't limit yourself to careers you know about: The more you explore, the more likely you are to discover a career that matches your interests and strengths.
• Own your experience and learn how to talk about it: Your education, part-time jobs and life experience all build valuable skills. Success often comes from recognising what you already bring and being able to communicate it confidently.
• Build relationships and find spaces where you can thrive: A key professional skill is understanding who you are speaking to and how best to connect with them. Be open to meeting new people and learning from others. Look for workplaces where you can be yourself and feel valued.
• Develop your emotional intelligence: With the advance of AI, human skills matter more than ever. Understanding different perspectives, being adaptable, communicating well and building connections with others will help you stand out.

Making Summer Free of Stress

With the World Cup kicking off next week and staff starting to head off on summer holidays, businesses are under extra pressure. Richard Martin, CEO of the Mindful Business Charter, which advocates for healthier workplaces, said: "Summer can bring fresh issues for employees, from childcare and higher seasonal costs to the challenge of taking proper time off while work continues."

Tips to combat "summer strain":

• Plan for summer pressure: Managers should review key deadlines and resourcing gaps in advance and ask what needs to be prioritised and what can be moved to a quieter period.
• Be realistic about what can get done: Give managers permission to challenge non-urgent deadlines. If a deadline is fixed, leaders should be clear about what other work can be deprioritised.
• Show flexibility: For companies that require office attendance several days a week, consider whether this can be relaxed over the school holidays to allow working parents some breathing room.
• Make handovers the norm: A good handover should cover priorities, key contacts, decisions that may be needed, communication routes and what can wait until the person returns.
• Define 'switching off': If employers want people to rest properly, they need to be clear about what being off means in practice.
• Ask leaders to model healthy holiday behaviour: Employees take their cues from senior staff. If leaders continue to email while on holiday, the message to the wider team is clear.

AI Sparks Fears

More than half of young people believe AI will change the career they are considering, with 80% expecting the most significant transformation to office-based work. But 60% do not feel their teachers are being honest about what AI could mean for their career prospects, according to a study by Checkatrade.

Due to the shifting job market, more young people now think that an apprenticeship is more appealing than university. Some 39% favour the earn-as-you-learn schemes, while 32% still back a traditional uni education. Jambu Palaniappan, CEO of Checkatrade, said: "A generation is waking up to the fact that practical, skilled work is where long-term opportunity lies."

Start-Up Boost

The UK is missing out on working-class start-ups due to a lack of support for entrepreneurs from poorer backgrounds. The Maple Report from trade group Small Business Britain features recommendations to make it easier for the 14.3 million people living in poverty to launch a business. Proposals include issuing "micro loans" of up to £5,000, improving access to mentoring and digital support, plus ensuring every young person has access to business skills and entrepreneurial role models. Michelle Ovens, founder of Small Business Britain, said: "We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to become an entrepreneur, no matter their background or experience."

Jobspot

• WREN KITCHENS has 260 vacancies, with roles including bedroom furniture installers, showroom managers and customer service advisers. For more information, go to wrencareers.com.
• DHL EXPRESS has opened applications for its Supply Chain and Warehouse Operations Apprenticeship. Apply by June 19 at careers.dhl.com/eu/en.