Uptree

David is 16 and lives in Glasgow, Scotland, he will be joining the Lloyds Banking Group team in October 2024.

“In my spare time, I'm a Royal Air Force Cadet, which is a lot of fun. I get to do marching, fly in planes, and participate in activities like first aid. Besides that, I have a passion for cyber security. I love reading books and listening to podcasts about the subject. My interest in cyber security started long ago when I decided that, after having the experience of being scammed online, my goal in life was to protect others… After school, I'll be joining Lloyds Banking Group as a Cyber Security Technologist Apprentice. This apprenticeship will last 18 months, after which I'll move into a full-time role. I'm really looking forward to this next step in my journey!

He heard about Uptree through an email advertising one of our Employer Partners’ events.

“I created an account and was amazed by what Uptree offered… When I saw there was an event in Edinburgh, I immediately decided to apply and was thrilled to be selected. Initially, I thought, "This is going to be great for my UCAS application! This will make me stand out." However, after attending the event, I realised I wanted more than just a strong UCAS application—I wanted an apprenticeship. That experience, combined with the work I did, made me certain that I wanted to work at Lloyds Banking Group.”

David noted that the highlight of his Uptree experience was meeting so many people from different areas.

“It was amazing to see all of us united with the same goal of pursuing success. Uptree guided us towards that goal, making the experience incredibly valuable. Connecting with and talking to different people was a major part of this.

I even met another student, Andrew, at my first Uptree event. He recently secured an apprenticeship at KPMG. Although we are in different fields—he's in auditing and I'm in cyber security—we kept in touch. Andrew was the one who encouraged me to join LinkedIn and start networking. Thanks to him, I began building my professional network, which was really beneficial.”

He highly recommends Uptree as he believes Uptree was incredibly helpful in securing his apprenticeship.

“I attended two work experiences through Uptree, and each time, the same people were running it, so they recognised me and saw my genuine interest. If you're young and eager to reach your full potential, attending Uptree events can change your career path in unimaginable ways.”

David’s advice to other young people is to always keep your options open.

“Originally, I had a narrow mindset, focused solely on my UCAS application. But once I opened myself up to other possibilities, doors started to open for me. Applying to just one work experience can open many opportunities, just as it did for me. Uptree events are incredibly helpful—they exceeded my expectations.

Remember, there's no set career path. Whether you're considering university or apprenticeships, starting young gives you plenty of time to explore. Don't feel pressured to go to university; there are many other opportunities, such as going to college and then university, starting with an apprenticeship, and pursuing a degree later. Just keep your options open.”

He also believes employers should work with Uptree because there is so much young talent out there, especially with the rising popularity of apprenticeships.

“While university can provide a great education, bringing in young, fresh talent straight out of school offers a unique opportunity to see these individuals thrive and grow within your company.

Watching young people work together and progress is incredibly rewarding. Starting in a company at a young age allows them to develop a wide range of skills, including essential soft skills. By the time they would have finished university, they'd have gained valuable hands-on experience and grown significantly within the company.

Partnering with Uptree is a fantastic way to tap into this pool of young talent and nurture it from an early stage. It's a valuable investment in the future workforce.”