Uptree

We believe that by delivering effective outreach in schools, teachers gain the know-how and resources they need to help their students succeed in the world of work. Over the years, we've learnt first-hand about some of the challenges schools face, especially around a lack of time, and we have designed a careers programme for them, in line with the Gatsby Benchmarks .

Below, I've summarised some of the ways the Uptree team supports our 258 partner schools across the UK in order to share some of the knowledge on what we have found works to effectively engage with schools. I've also included some of our impact data from the Autumn term.

TIP 1. Consistent Communication

To achieve this, Uptree deliver weekly teacher newsletters. This up-to-date Uptree bulletin goes direct to our school contacts at the same time every week. It includes relevant industry updates, our employer partner opportunities, apprenticeships, upcoming Uptree Work Experience days, application masterclass sessions and workshop booking options. This ensures our schools are familiar with our brand, building trust and good communication.

Autumn impact:

• We've delivered over 27,000 email newsletters to teachers across the UK

• Our open rate is more than 3 times the industry average (education; source: MailChimp)

• Our partner opportunities guide has had over 600 teacher downloads

TIP 2. Supporting students to develop skills face to face

Uptree allow school parters to book Industry-led workshops to develop students labour market information and employability skills. We have a team of 40+ trained Uptree Associate Presenters (UAPs) based across the UK to deliver outreach face-to-face in our partner schools. Our presenters are a mix of very inspiring professionals that work with us to deliver our employer partner content and inspire and motivate young people to consider exciting careers.

Autumn impact:

• UAPs have delivered over 165 workshops in schools across the UK

• Over 11,000 students have been met

• One teacher said: " Kul's presentation went really well...we much appreciate and hugely depend on organisations like you to provide your free services to us." - Ark St Alban's Academy (West Midlands)

TIP 3. Providing resources that can be embedded into a school day

The Uptree careers curriculum is a series of fully-resourced lessons on careers in STEM and the Professionals Services. To create exceptional content, we work closely with our employer partners including relevant labour market information. Our education experts then create the interactive lessons for schools to deliver themselves. This is a great way to engage with hard to reach schools that may not otherwise have access to our face to face services.

Autumn impact:

• We have over 110 different schools directly download the Careers Curriculum lessons

• 37,000 students being taught the Uptree Careers Curriculum (nationwide)

• Companies spotlighted include: Arm, IBM, J.P. Morgan, UBS, MBDA, GSK, Coca-Cola, BPL and GCHQ.

TIP 4. Opportunities for students to meet professionals and visit offices

In every UK region, Uptree host an interactive skills day once a year called #FuturesUP for our partner companies and schools to attend. The day includes: inspiring speakers, a panel talk, speed networking and a skills challenge!

Autumn impact:

• Over 400 students applied to attend FuturesUP in October, hosted at Google

• In 2020, we are hosting FuturesUP in Bristol, Birmingham, Newcastle, London, Glasgow, Manchester, reaching ~800 students in total

• Read about FuturesUP here

We believe that creating a programme that supports schools effectively helps companies to deliver efficient and effective schools outreach and build an inclusive talent pipeline. Read more about how Fjolla Prekazi was hired at BPL Global here .

If you’re interested in hearing more about our work, attending FuturesUP or in hosting an event with us, contact us at info@uptree.co