Social mobility and diversity through education

As a founding partner of the social mobility charity UpReach, we understand the benefits of drawing talent from a diverse population. This year, we launched a new skills and education programme with Teach First, with the aim of raising the achievement, access and aspirations of young people in low-income communities.

Case study

Deloitte Access – Kelly Stevenson

Deloitte’s Access Accountancy scheme gives students equal opportunities to start a career in accountancy.

Called 'Deloitte Access', the programme is a pioneering step in our relationship with Teach First that helps young people from disadvantaged backgrounds access professional employment. We are working with 11 Teach First schools across England, supporting young people in developing enterprise and leadership skills and raising their aspirations and employability.

We have also expanded our relationship with Teach First through our support for the award-winning Higher Education Access Programme for Schools (HEAPS). HEAPS pairs talented A level students from low-income backgrounds with a mentor, giving them the opportunity to participate in university visits, including a residential Easter School at the University of Cambridge.

We are strong advocates of greater social mobility into the accountancy profession and have signed up to a new cross-profession initiative called 'Access to Accountancy'. The initiative sets key targets for professional service firms to broaden the diversity of young people coming into the profession.

Through these initiatives, we are working to help reduce unemployment across the UK. In addition, our efforts as a partner for Ingeus UK for three years helped over 122,000 people move from welfare into work.

Case study

Social mobility through Access

The Academy Executive Principal described the Deloitte Access Programme as “the most ambitious and comprehensive he has ever seen between a school and commercial partner”.

Case study

Ingeus: transforming lives through lasting employment

The Ingeus UK joint venture was a leading player in the welfare-to-work market, helping over 122,000 people to find jobs, including over 31,000 18 - 24 year olds.

We work with the Powerlist Foundation to support careers for black and ethnic minority students through a Summer Leadership Programme. We offer networking opportunities, mentors and friendships with high achieving students from diverse backgrounds. The Powerlist Foundation is devoted to developing promising leaders of the future, irrespective of their race, gender, faith or ethnicity. It forms part of our commitment to champion the benefits of a diverse workforce and is designed to provide the students with opportunities to learn more about leadership and develop new skills to enhance their future work and educational prospects.