New partner announcement! We’re proud to be working with With Intelligence

In a world of “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” we’re dedicated to changing how young people access work experience thanks to our fantastic new partner – With Intelligence.

With the help of the volunteer mentors from With Intelligence, 13 students from Harris Academy Bermondsey are set to be welcomed onto the Pathfinder Programme.

The Pathfinder Programme seeks to dismantle barriers that are in place between students and the workplace, whilst championing cultural capital. This is done by combining 1-2-1 mentoring, with the mentors who have been trained, ahead of a work experience opportunity at their offices.

We are thrilled to be partnered with With Intelligence, a company who have consistently demonstrated their social commitments through a range of ESG initiatives. Adding to their credentials, they will soon be changing the lives of the 13 lucky students set to enter their offices.

With Intelligence’s Pathfinder Programme

At 16/17 years old, the students are at a pivotal moment in their lives, deciding on several key next steps on what their careers might look like. Because of this sensitive time in which the mentors are working with their mentees, a Wiseup Expert yesterday headed to With Intelligence’s offices to host an interactive mentor briefing workshop.

Designed to provide a thorough understanding of how to mentor young people, the workshop took a deep dive into what a mentor does and how to effectively mentor young people, whilst providing insights on session topics, exercises, and of course safeguarding.

The day is designed to get the mentors thinking differently, and feeling confident, no matter their experience levels. History shows that all mentors provide invaluable insights to their mentees, whether just starting out in the role themselves, or with years of experience.

The next stage in the programme for the mentors will be to head over to the school for their first round of mentoring sessions. An exciting and anticipatory time for the students, the mentors will be able to put their mentees at ease, and can answer any questions about the up and coming work experience. The pairs will gather together again for their second mentoring session, ahead of the work experience week in July.

Following these initial sessions, the mentors and mentees will reconvene at With Intelligence’s offices for the start of the work experience week. The students will excitedly make their way over to central London for a week filled with a range of activities, including shadowing, workshops and talks to engage the students and bring about confidence boosts and new skill development.

Why Programmes Like This Matter

For many young people in the UK, access to high quality work experience is limited, often due to socioeconomic barriers, lack of industry connections, or a simple lack of awareness about career options. Initiatives like the Pathfinder Programme are crucial in bridging this gap, ensuring that talent and potential are not dictated by background or privilege, but by ability and ambition.

By engaging with professionals in a real-world setting, students gain practical knowledge that extends far beyond the classroom. They are given a chance to apply their skills in meaningful ways, build resilience, and develop key workplace competencies such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. Exposure to a wide array of successful professionals from all backgrounds, who are able to highlight their career journeys helps demystify industries that may have previously seemed out of reach.

These opportunities boost employability and raise the aspirations of the students involved. This encourages students to pursue higher education, apprenticeships, or other career pathways with greater confidence. Employers, in turn, benefit by connecting with diverse young talent and championing a more inclusive and dynamic future workforce.