Since 2007, the community and charity programme at BNP Paribas Securities Services UK has been involved in a number of projects aimed at putting something back into the community in which it operates. The programme covers a range of environmental, social and educational projects across the four UK locations; London, Peterborough, Glasgow and Dundee. One such project, piloted in London, is the launch of a series of ‘Working in the City’ workshops.

To date we have hosted two workshops in partnership with The Brokerage City Link, who work with City employers to create a pathway to the City for young residents of London’s inner-city boroughs; and another with Hackney Quest, a local charity working with young people potentially at risk through social, economic and educational disadvantage.

The workshops aim to give disadvantaged young people the opportunity to find out more about the financial sector, discover what opportunities are available to them and promote the benefits of Higher Education to students across the country.

During the workshops the students are given an introductory presentation to the financial sector, a tour of the working environment and also get the chance to ‘interview’ staff members about their roles and working experiences. A teacher who attended a recent workshop with his students commented, “Excellent day and very well organised. Students being able to interview staff was invaluable and informative”.

We have also had some great feedback from staff who have volunteered to take part and many are keen to participate again. One volunteer said, “Thank you for arranging this. Personally I found it to be extremely rewarding and I would love to be involved if this is ever repeated”.

Students listed the following as “the best things about the day”:

“Interviewing and finding out about jobs in the City”
“Meeting a variety of people”
“Touring the building”
“Experiencing the working environment”
“Seeing what it is like to work in London”

The initiative in London has been a great success and we will be rolling out the project across the other UK locations in the coming months.