Inspire The Next Generation Through Innovative Careers Support

Each of our own career journeys are punctuated by pivotal moments of insight and inspiration, and those individuals who have influenced and supported us along the way.

The careers landscape has changed beyond recognition in recent years, and it will continue to transform at a rapid pace. This can create significant confusion and overwhelm for our young people.

What if, as a Northern Ireland business leader, you could give back and help inspire the next generation?

What if your employees could gain valuable experience while supporting young people in discovering what their natural skills and talents are?

4C UR Future LIVE is an at-scale series of six regional pilot events, to be held in six Council areas in June 2020, with the aim of inspiring almost 5,000 Year 9 pupils about the future world of work.

4C UR Future LIVE is not a typical careers event.

Every young person who attends will participate in a range of work-based games and skills-based challenges, developed in collaboration with local employers, which aim to identify each person’s natural attributes, strengths, and talents. The event helps Year 9 pupils gain an insight into their potential future opportunities, critically before they make their GCSE choices.

Johanna Donaghy, Training & Development Manager at Cranswick Foods said:

We are absolutely delighted to be part of this initiative. It’s so innovative and it empowers young people to understand what skills, talents, and abilities they have at a young age, helping them make their GCSE choices and possibly choose their careers for the future.”

4C UR Future is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company, which is the brainchild of one of Northern Ireland’s leading business figures, Rose Mary Stalker, who is the current Chair of Invest Northern Ireland.

Supported by an industry-led Steering Team, and over 30 member companies representing all of the key employment sectors in NI, the LIVE events are facilitated by volunteers who are member company employees.

A highly successful ‘proof of concept’ pilot event held in 2019 saw almost 1,200 Year 9 pupils attend over two days, with over 120 volunteers from over 30 cross-sectoral companies.

Speaking at the event, a teacher from Ashfield Boy’s High School, said:

It’s a great opportunity for the students to mingle with young people from other schools, collaborating and working together on tasks that may take them outside of their comfort zone. Some of the tasks they found really useful because it appeals to them, and some of the tasks made them look at other options that they hadn’t thought of but that they might like to do in the future.”

It’s not too late for your business to get involved!

4C UR Future welcomes input from businesses and organisations from all sectors, and particularly those that are currently underrepresented. Employee volunteers are also needed to guide, encourage, and inspire young people during the events.

There are a range of benefits to your business from being involved with 4C UR Future:

– Teachers and students can get a better understanding of your company and the skills you look for in prospective employees.

– Training is provided for employee volunteers, an excellent staff development opportunity.

– Participation contributes to your Corporate Social Responsibility objectives, while having a significant and very real impact on today’s young people – your potential employees of tomorrow.

For more information on how you can get involved, email info@4curfuture.com.