LEVELLING THE PLAYING FIELD FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF NORTHERN IRELAND
WE’RE HERE TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE GET THE BEST START TO THEIR CAREER JOURNEY
Speakers for Schools works with schools, colleges and employers from throughout Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK to provide:- Industry insights from leading professionals from every sector
- Free high-quality immersive work experience
- Free advice on the post-16 pathways available to young people
130,500
young people from Northern Ireland in potential reach
169
schools and colleges in Northern Ireland registered with our charity
24
employers from Northern Ireland registered with our charity
44,826
work experience placements available to young people in Northern Ireland during the academic year 2020-21
DISCOVER HOW WE CAN HELP YOU…
I’M AN EMPLOYER
HOW CAN YOU HELP ME?
HOST ONLINE WORK EXPERIENCE
Engage with young people from state secondary schools and colleges across Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK by hosting VWEX placements.
- Meets Education Authority Northern Ireland’s guidelines for best practice
- Delivers against your ESG, CSR and DEI targets
- Offers full safeguarding
- 4 service levels available
- 3 different varieties of VWEX available
- Easy to implement and fully scalable
- Out-of-hours customer support available
Find out more about Education Authority Northern Ireland’s guidance on work experience
BUILD YOUR BRAND AND SOCIAL IMPACT
If your organisation can offer discounts on youth-friendly products and services, OR developmental and/or training opportunities like work experience, Youth Card offers the perfect platform to extend your reach to the youth demographic while also supporting social mobility.
Licensed by the European Youth Card Association, Youth Card is a free mobile app launched by Speakers for Schools together with leading youth charities UK Youth and Young Enterprise that enables young people in Northern Ireland, Wales and England to access support in a way never previously possible.
Becoming a Youth Card partner offers the following benefits:
- Raises awareness of your brand among 11-25-year-olds
- Increases your organisation’s social impact
- Improves outcomes for young people in Northern Ireland, Wales and England
- Enables targeting by age or geographical location
- Offers enhanced levels of support for young people with the highest need
- Draw on the expertise and networks of 3 leading youth charities
- Improves your organisation’s early talent outreach
- No cost to your organisation for using Youth Card platform
- User-friendly CMS makes it easy to list and manage opportunities
- Reporting functionality allows you to monitor the impact
OUR GROWING NETWORK OF EMPLOYERS IN NORTHERN IRELAND
OFFER ONLINE WORK EXPERIENCE TO YOUR STUDENTS
Help your students start their career journey and connect with employers through our immersive free VWEX.
- Meets Education Authority Northern Ireland’s guidelines for best practice
- Offer opportunities with local, national and UK-wide employers
- Offers full safeguarding
- 3 different varieties of VWEX available
- Easy to implement and fully scalable
- No cost to your school or to your parents
Find out more about Education Authority Northern Ireland’s guidance on work experience
I’M AN EDUCATOR
HOW CAN YOU HELP ME?
INSPIRE YOUR STUDENTS TO AIM HIGHER
Access talks by hundreds of societal leaders and high-profile professionals to encourage your students to start aiming higher.
Help your students:
- Listen to talks from expert speakers from the world of business, politics, entertainment, sport and more
- Hear career insights from leaders in every industry
- Pick up tips on what it takes to get started
- Find out what it takes to succeed
- Invite speakers to give Vtalks to your students
I’M A YOUNG PERSON
HOW CAN YOU HELP ME?
APPLY FOR ONLINE WORK EXPERIENCE
Try different jobs in real life through free VWEX so you can find the best fit for you.
- Experience the world of work first-hand
- Work with employers from Northern Ireland and across the UK
- Gain an insight into different roles across a wide range of industries
- Find out about the various career paths available
- Build on your skills and improve your self-confidence
- Get evidence of extra-curricular activities for your personal statement or CV
- Meet senior professionals from leading UK organisations
- Expand your network to include potential employers
GET INSPIRED TO AIM HIGHER
Listen to inspiring talks from hundreds of societal leaders and high-profile professionals and start aiming higher.
- Free access to talks from expert speakers from the world of business, politics, entertainment, sport and more
- Get career insights from leaders in every industry
- Pick up tips on what it takes to get started
- Find out what it takes to succeed
GET THE HELP YOU NEED TO GET AHEAD
Access a huge range of life-changing opportunities delivered direct to your phone with our free Youth Card mobile app.
- Apply for free work experience and insight days with leading UK companies
- Watch inspiring talks from high-profile guest speakers from a wide range of industries
- Take part in skill-building workshops and activities to boost your CV and confidence
- Find a mentor to support your development
- Join local youth clubs to make friends and develop new hobbies and interests
- Discover apprenticeships and early career roles with a wide range of employers
- Access exclusive discounts and money-saving deals
DOWNLOAD THE APP TODAY
GET IN TOUCH
Whether you are a young person, an employer or an educator, our friendly Northern Ireland team can support you.
Meet Jill and Mary, who are your on-ground team in Northern Ireland!
To reach either Jill or Mary email ni@speakersforschools.org
Jill Crawford
Mary Carson