Inside Generali’s Pathfinder Programme
“The programme was very useful in helping me make connections and building an understanding for what type of job I’m interested in getting in the future” – Max – mentee
Generali, a global leader in the insurance industry recently took part in The Pathfinder Programme, an initiative designed to help students from Harris Academy Westminster in their early careers. The programme involves mentoring and work placements in a way that seamlessly blends 1-2-1 mentoring sessions with a week’s hands-on work experience. We know the power in combining mentorship with practical experience; this allows students to truly develop in all of the key areas needed to thrive.
Five 16-17 year old students from Harris Academy Westminster were paired with five Generali employees. For many participants, it was their first time experiencing mentoring. After taking part in a mentor briefing workshop, the Generali employees were all set to support their students over course of the programme.
Some of the desired outcomes for mentees taking part in this programme included: improving confidence levels, enhancing skills, providing industry insights, and creating professional networks.
Spanning over four months, The Pathfinder Programme utilises both in-person and online mentoring sessions, culminating in a week of immersive work experience, which took place at Generali’s offices in May. Discover how the programme flowed below.
The Pathfinder Programme month by month
Month 1: In-Person Mentoring Session
Generali’s programme kicked off with a round of in-person mentoring sessions at Westminster Harris Academy. Designed to break the ice and prepare the students for the months ahead, activities included ice-breaking exercises, goal setting, and initial skill assessments to tailor the mentoring experience to each participant's needs.
Before the programme, many of the mentees expressed a lack of confidence in their skills in areas such as “making a good impression”. These crucial first sessions were perfect opportunities for the mentees to begin cultivating their skillsets to achieve their career and personal goals.
Mentors highlighted the importance of learning all about the students: "Getting to know the students, answering their intelligent questions and listening to their key takeaways and observations, confirmed to me the power of a carefully designed work experience programme." - Tracey Ward, Head of Business Development and Marketing.
Month 2: Online Mentoring Session
The second month of the programme went digital, with all five sessions taking place virtually. A core focus of this session was following up on the details discussed on the initial meeting. This session is crucial for skill development and addressing any challenges that may have arisen. Example activities included progress reviews, refining goals, and tackling specific skill areas.
Month 3: Successful Week of Work Experience
At this exciting stage of the programme, Generali welcomed their mentees into the heart of their operations, with the work experience taking place at the central London office. Embarking on a week-long placement, the mentees got the chance to apply their newfound skills in real-world scenarios. Tasks included participating in projects, shadowing and collaborating with many departments to get a feel for these teams.
Whilst at the offices, the students took part in their third mentoring session in person. Having access to their mentor and other employees allowed the students to discuss elements of the work experience in real time, which the students really valued. One mentee said: “I enjoyed exploring a new world of work and being exposed to a sector of further education I knew not much about.”
The highlight of the placement week was the culmination of all the participants' hard work – in which the mentees presented their highlights back to a small group. The Friday afternoon ended with celebratory pizzas as the participants gathered over a meal to unwind and reflect.
Month 4: Final Mentoring Session
The final mentoring session reflected on the student’s achievements during their work experience week. Taking the time to digest any feedback, whilst considering future career options allowed the students to truly take in the experience in a way they could utilise moving forward.
Participants and mentors reviewed the progress made, discussed the overall experience, and planned the next steps in their career development.
Success Stories
The positive feedback from the students demonstrates the value of initiatives, with particular highlights including:
“I am much more open to researching into apprenticeships. It made me realise working in an office isn’t boring like I imagined it to be, as it’s a dynamic environment.”
“I enjoyed getting to know about the different departments of the insurance company, and how they all work together. I also learnt that there’s many different parts and many roles can be found in any corporate businesses.”
Students were asked to evaluate themselves in six key areas both before and after the programme: understanding of career options after school, confidence in starting a career, communication skills, ambition, goal-setting, networking. The students reported improvements in all 6 areas. Some of the key improvements were as follows:
- Students' networking skills improved from an average of 5/10 to 8/10
- Students' confidence in starting their first job increased by 75%
To top off these fantastic outcomes, 100% of the students stated they’d love to work at Generali in the future, highlighting just how important these programmes are for showcasing company culture to the next generation of talent. This can go a long way to improving recruitment prospects and ensuring a company’s people strategy is aligned with their ESG values. Giving back to the next generation changes the lives of young people in the local community, as well as the mentors and the businesses that support them.
Generali’s hard work and commitment to its social impact has successfully equipped these mentees with new skills, increased confidence and a better understanding of future prospects.
Looking forward
In light of another successful programme, we’re aiming to increase our impact across the UK by rolling out programmes to more UK locations. Further, we’ve had the honour of being shortlisted for three awards at the National SME awards. It is fantastic to be recognised for our work helping to transform the way the UK supports the next generation of talent.
Want to make your mark in your area? Discover the impact you can have on local young people by taking part in your own Pathfinder Programme.
